Archives for December 2019

Treatments for Headaches

A headache is possibly one of the most disruptive pains you can experience. Headaches are not only painful, they also interfere with your day like no other type of pain. A lot of people find themselves having to change plans, delay completing important work, and rescheduling meetings because of headaches.

The important thing to note about headaches is that not all headaches are the same. There are different types of headaches and treatment will vary depending on the type of headache you have. Let’s take a look at some common types of headaches and how to treat them.

Migraines

A migraine headache, according to the American Migraine Foundation, is a neurological disease, with multiple subsets, all of which are associated with head pain.

Migraines with auras are headaches that come with sensory or visual elements. The sufferer may experience numbness, and their vision may be affected to the point that they see patterns like zigzags or dots.

A migraine headache can exhibit with pulsating pain and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Working, talking, and watching tv can exacerbate a migraine. It can take several hours to three days for a migraine to disappear.

Knowing what triggers a migraine is extremely helpful when relieving painful symptoms. Avoiding those triggers will assist in managing the migraine before it begins or worsens.

Your healthcare provider can prescribe medications for migraines that are severe and long lasting. Resting in a dark room, applying a compress to the head, and relaxing can also help alleviate migraines.

Tension headaches

This type of headache is felt on both sides of the head and gives a similar sensation to wearing a very tight hat. You may also feel pressure or a dull ache. This type of headache is triggered when you are stressed or worried about something for a long period of time.

Tension headaches can be treated at home taking over-the-counter pain medications, managing stress, and relaxing. When these methods fail to work, talk to a family medicine provider for further treatment. Your family medicine provider may be able to prescribe more effective medications, biofeedback, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Cluster headaches

These headaches are severely painful and can last for weeks at a time. The pain symptoms develop on one side of the head and can be accompanied by a runny nose, congestion, or watery eyes.

Treating a tension or cluster headache with over-the counter medications like aspirin and ibuprofen can be helpful in relieving pain. If the pain doesn’t subside with over-the-counter medications, your family medicine provider can prescribe other stronger medications.

Cluster headaches are often treated through fast-acting treatments (prescription pain medications, oxygen, etc.) for immediate relief as well as preventive treatments (corticosteroids, nerve blocks, etc.) to reduce the frequency and severity of future headaches.

Headache Treatment in Wellington, Pennsylvania

If you are experiencing unexplained and frequent headaches and want relief, contact the experts at Advanced Medical Clinic. We have a wealth of experience treating all types of headaches and would love to help you find relief.

Call (561) 434-1935 to make an appointment. You can also request an appointment online.

How to Choose Your PCP

Choosing the right primary care provider (PCP) is imperative in maintaining excellent health throughout your lifetime. This is the healthcare provider with whom you and your family will build a long-term relationship.

This family medicine provider will oversee your family’s health and wellness, with an emphasis on preventive care. Your primary care provider will maintain your medical records, write prescriptions as necessary, provide immunizations, gather records from any specialists and hospitals you may visit, recommend screenings, and provide advice on a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Primary care providers are also called general practitioners or family family medicine providers, because they are generalists in the field of medicine. These are the healthcare professionals with whom you will have your annual checkups.

Tips on How to Find a Family Medicine Provider

When it comes to looking for primary care providers, patients usually have many different options. Here are a few key tips for how to choose your PCP:

Search Within Your Health Plan Network

A good way to start off your search is to look for PCPs in your own network. Choosing a family medicine provider outside of your health plan may cost you a lot of money.

Most health plans have a long list of PCPs who accept their health insurance. If you have a family medicine provider who you’d like to see, call the family medicine provider’s office and ask them if they take your insurance – and if not, ask them what they charge for out-of-network checkups.

Ask for Referrals from People You Know

Your friends, neighbors, and nearby relatives may have excellent PCPs that they’d recommend to you and your family. If you ask multiple people, you’re likely to get multiple answers, which can be a good thing.

Once you have one or more names of family medicine providers, search online for the providers’ names and look at their credentials. You can often get a good feel for what the family medicine provider is like by their online profile and website.

Friendly medicine providers often mention their spouse or family on their website. Some providers even work with their family members, which is a good sign.

Look for Board Certification

A board-certified PCP has completed medical specialty training and passed an exam that has certified their knowledge, skill, and expertise in a specific field. In the case of a PCP, their certification is often in Internal Medicine. You can check a family medicine provider’s name online for board certification, such as the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Look for Convenient Locations

When searching for a primary care provider, look for one who is within easy driving distance to your home or office. Convenience is key to selecting the right PCP for your family. You should not have to drive far to keep up with regular health and wellness checkups.

Family Medicine Provider in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach

Here at Advanced Medical Clinic, we are a state-of-the-art primary care practice offering the highest standard of medical care in South Florida. Our primary care providers are friendly and compassionate and care deeply for your family’s health.

For your convenience, we have clinics in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call us today at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online now. We look forward to seeing you here!