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Tips to Prevent Whiplash

Whiplash is a common neck injury that occurs when the head jerks in a rapid back-and-forth, or sideways movement, often to extreme degrees. It is typically caused by rear-end vehicular collisions, but it can also be caused by other types of accidents, of either low- or high-velocity nature.

Whiplash can often be prevented. Read on to find out how you can help minimize your risk of sustaining whiplash when driving or when engaging in sports.

Preventing Whiplash When Driving

The best way to prevent whiplash is to get a car that has an active head restraint (AHR) system. AHR is a technology that automatically activates the headrest pillow during a rear-end crash to move up and extend forward to minimize the gap between the occupants’ head and the headrest, thereby reducing the impact and the risk of a neck injury.

If your car does have an AHR system, consider the following tips to help minimize your risk of sustaining whiplash and other neck injuries when driving.

  • Observe correct sitting position.

A correctly positioned head restraint is essential for preventing whiplash injuries and applies to all people within the vehicle. The top of the headrest should be level with the top of your head, or at least, the top of your ears. The headrest should also be close (less than 3 inches) to the back of your head.

You should always sit upright and wear a safety belt when travelling in a car. The seat belt helps you stay in a neutral position during a collision and helps ensure your head is aligned with the head restraint.

Although it is not always possible to react in time or position yourself for a collision, if you realize a crash is imminent or hear the squeal of tires approaching you, it pays to prepare yourself: lean your head back so that it is touching the head restraint, face straight ahead, and try to remain in a neutral position.

  • Follow the two-second rule.

Always leave a safe distance between your car and the car ahead of you. If you tailgate the car in front of you, you may not have sufficient time to stop if they brake suddenly. The car behind you may also hit you if you brake suddenly or without warning.

Preventing Whiplash During Sports

Contact sports, such as football, wrestling, and boxing, can put you at increased risk of sustaining whiplash injuries. To minimize such risk, make sure you use the correct protective equipment and employ proper techniques.

Additionally, doing warm-up and neck stretching exercises releases neck tension and pain, improves your strength and flexibility, and ultimately helps prevent whiplash.

Whiplash Treatment in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

If you recently got into an accident and suspect that you have whiplash, speak to one of our dedicated providers at Advanced Medical for a thorough assessment and prompt treatment.

We offer a comprehensive range of preventive, sick, and urgent care services, and we are here to help our patients avoid unnecessary hospitalizations. Our team consists of a family medicine provider and an internal medicine family medicine provider who are both dedicated to providing our patients with the highest quality of care and empowering them to take a proactive role in their own health and well-being.

To find out more about the services we offer or to schedule a consultation with one of our providers, call us at (561) 434-1935. You can also request an appointment online. For urgent concerns, we offer same-day and walk-in appointments.

What Can a Family Medicine Provider in Wellington Treat?

Family medicine is grounded on the most basic social unit—the family. Family medicine providers receive specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of the entire spectrum of medical conditions that affect the members of an entire family unit: the mother, the father, the children, and even the grandparents.

It doesn’t mean, however, that you need to have a family to be attended to by a family medicine provider. Rather, it implies that family medicine providers can provide care to patients of all ages, throughout their lives, and for multiple generations at the same time.

To get a better insight into how you can benefit from the expertise of a family medicine provider, let’s explore the various conditions they treat and the scope of their services.

Emerging, Acute, and Chronic Conditions

As your primary care provider, your family medicine provider knows your medical history and can evaluate new and unusual symptoms, which may be indicative of a development of a potentially serious medical condition. In other words, if you’re experiencing symptoms that you suspect to be those of a chronic condition, your family medicine provider is the usually the first provider you see to ascertain whether these symptoms are any cause for concern. Your family medicine provider will then order the necessary tests, interpret the results, and constantly monitor your symptoms to see if there’s any progression.

Should these symptoms point to a chronic condition, your family medicine provider can provide personalized, ongoing treatment and coordinate your care with other sub-specialists, when need be. Common chronic diseases treated by family medicine provider include arthritis, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and hypertension.

Your family medicine provider is also your go-to – and often, your only stop– for appropriate diagnoses and treatment of acute conditions, such as urinary tract infection, cold, flu, sinus infection, ear infection, among others.

Women’s Health

Contrary to what many women think, a wellness appointment with their OB/GYN doesn’t necessarily cover their primary care needs. Albeit an OB/GYN can cover specific gynecologic or reproductive health issues, it isn’t the same as seeing a family medicine provider.

A recent study indicates that women who consult their family medicine providers for preventive care receive a broader range of care. The bottom line is that visits with family medicine providers can complement visits with OB/GYNs.

Other Services Provided by a Family Medicine Provider

Apart from diagnosing and providing treatment for diseases, family medicine providers also provide health and nutrition counseling, health-risk assessments, early pregnancy care, family planning, wellness checkups, immunizations, and screening tests.

Family Medicine Provider in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach

If you’ve been on the world wide web to search for a family medicine provider in Wellington, Florida, your search ends here. At Advanced Medical Clinic, our board-certified family nurse practitioner Shariffa Gunawardene—is a family medicine provider, who is dedicated to delivering evidence-based, compassionate, and patient-centered care to everyone in our community.

To schedule an appointment with Shariffa, call us at (561) 434-1935. You may also use this secure online appointment form.

The Difference Between a Walk-In Clinic and Urgent Care Clinic

Are you one of those people who are unsure as to which type of healthcare facility you should seek treatment at in the event of a medical situation?

Depending on the nature of your condition or injury, you have a variety of options you can try, but your ideal options are a walk-in clinic and an urgent care clinic. Let’s delineate their distinctions to help you determine where you’re supposed to go for a particular medical situation.

Treatment and Services

A walk-in clinic, also referred to as a retail clinic, is designed is for quick visits. Walk-in clinics are the ones you see in grocery stores, pharmacies, and “big box” stores, such as Target and Walmart. Some of the services you can acquire at walk-in clinics are treatment for simple, acute conditions, vaccinations, drug prescriptions for common conditions, and blood pressure checks.

Urgent care clinics, on the other hand, are typically freestanding facilities. Services in urgent care clinics include treatment for acute illnesses or minor injuries, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), minor cuts and abrasions, minor burns, simple fractures, among others.

If you have a condition or injury that is not serious enough to be considered life-threatening, but it needs prompt medical intervention, then your best course of action is to go to an urgent care clinic. Also, because walk-in clinics have a limited menu of services, if you are living with multiple chronic health conditions, your best bet is to go to a primary care practice that offers urgent care services.

Staff and Equipment

One of the major differences between these facilities is the staffing: urgent care clinics are required by law to have at least one board-certified primary care family medicine provider, whereas walk-in clinics typically only have nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Moreover, most urgent care facilities have multiple exam rooms and more advanced medical and diagnostic equipment. These are for conducting x-rays, administering IVs, and treating injuries.

Costs

Walk-in clinics provide more affordable options and less expensive treatments than urgent care clinics do. It is because walk-in clinics are primarily geared toward catering to the uninsured and underinsured. Urgent care services, nonetheless, are less expensive than emergency room services.

Urgent Care Clinic in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, FL

At Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida, we are essentially a primary care practice that is committed to providing comprehensive, patient-centered urgent care services to people of all ages in our community. Whether what you have is an acute or chronic medical condition, you can rest assured that we will provide you with the highest quality of evidence-based medical care.

If you have an acute medical situation that needs prompt treatment, you can either walk in or book a same-day appointment by calling us at (561) 434-1935. Alternatively, you may fill out our appointment request form.  We look forward to building a long-term relationship with you!

Common Chronic Pain Conditions

Bodily pain that interferes with your ability to perform tasks, keeps you up at night, and saps you of energy is considered chronic pain. This condition plagues more than 50 million Americans – one in five adults – and it has many different reasons why it can occur.

If you have chronic pain, it is in your best interest to have an evaluation by a skilled family medicine provider who can diagnose the underlying cause. The family medicine provider will then work with you to determine appropriate measures of treatment.

Let’s talk about some of the most common reasons behind chronic pain, and where you can go in Wellington for a thorough medical evaluation and treatment that works to reduce or eliminate your pain once and for all.

What Is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is constant or intermittent physical discomfort which lasts longer than three months without improvement. Chronic pain is a frequent cause of missed workdays, lost wages, and lost productivity.

It differs in severity and character from person to person, and it can even change on a daily basis. Patients often describe their pain as shooting, stabbing, burning, or throbbing.

Chronic pain conditions include the following:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Migraine headaches
  • Arthritis
  • Cancer pain (from the disease itself or from its treatment)
  • Back pain
  • Neuropathy
  • Pain due to kidney disease
  • Postoperative pain that continues unabated

Along with the pain itself, you may experience comorbidities (simultaneous health problems) such as:

  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Poor appetite
  • Depression and anxiety

How Can My Family Medicine Provider Help?

In order to determine what is causing your chronic pain, your family medicine provider will first ask you to describe your pain. Give as much detail as you can regarding its severity, timing (how often it occurs), location(s) on your body, and what, if anything, helps to mitigate it.

The family medicine provider will then perform a complete physical examination, order bloodwork and other lab tests as needed, and possibly do X-rays and other kinds of imaging scans. With a proper diagnosis, your family medicine provider can create a care plan to help keep your chronic pain under control.

Your treatment plan may include:

  • Over-the-counter or prescription pain reliever
  • Antidepressant medication
  • Cortisone shots (in-office injection therapy)
  • Physical therapy
  • Heat and cold therapy
  • Chiropractic care (spinal adjustments)
  • Stress management
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Biofeedback
  • Acupuncture 

Trusted Family Medicine Provider in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington

Here at Advanced Medical Clinic, we will work diligently with you to get you the pain relief you deserve. You may have to try several things before finding a solution that works to quell your chronic pain, but we will indeed find something that works for you. There are many effective treatments out there today.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (561) 434-1935 or by filling out our easy-to-use online request form now. We look forward to helping you enjoy life without pain!

What Can a Walk-In Clinic Treat?

When you need medical care for an injury or health problem, there are a variety of family medicine providers and health centers you can visit. It is important to select the right one for your specific situation. One of the most common and popular health facilities you can visit is a walk-in clinic.

A walk-in clinic allows patients to conveniently see a primary care provider without the need for an appointment. This is particularly beneficial if someone has an urgent health care need that’s not an emergency or if they have a hectic schedule that makes scheduling appointments in advance difficult.

Before you visit, you should understand what a walk-in clinic’s scope of practice is. So, let’s discuss some of the many issues the family medicine providers at walk-in clinics treat.

Respiratory Infections

Walk-in clinic providers routinely treat respiratory infections. They will give you a checkup, assess your symptoms, listen to your breathing, and maybe even conduct an X-ray. Based on what they find, you will get a diagnosis for a respiratory infection as well as a treatment plan.

Clinic providers can prescribe medications, including antibiotics. Many clinics even send prescriptions directly to your choice of pharmacy, so all you have to do after leaving is pick up your medications at your selected facility.

Earaches

One of the most common issues family medicine providers at walk-in clinics diagnose and treat are earaches. You can have an earache for many reasons, including an infection, sinus pressure, an injury, and more. Earaches are particularly common among children. When earaches are accompanied by fever and hearing loss, they become particularly worrisome.

A walk-in clinic has the necessary tools, such as an otoscope, to diagnose such problems. You can also receive the necessary treatment, such as antibiotics. If the problem is extensive or the underlying cause requires a specialists’ diagnosis and treatment, you will be advised as such.

Vomiting or Persistent Diarrhea

Vomiting or diarrhea that is continuous for more than one day is a common reason to visit a walk-in clinic. Vomiting and diarrhea may be signs of gastroenteritis – the medical term for a viral infection in the digestive tract. These symptoms could also indicate you have food poisoning. Regardless of the cause, having prolonged symptoms can be detrimental to your health, because you can become dehydrated and malnourished within days. That’s why it is important to seek medical care if your symptoms last longer than a day.

Sports Injuries

One of the most common reasons why patients visit walk-in clinics is sports injuries. It is important to seek medical care for injuries immediately after they occur, because prolonging treatment can make recovery longer and more complicated – not to mention you will have to endure uncomfortable symptoms for a longer period of time. Walk-in clinics can immediately perform X-rays and other imaging tests to get to the root cause of your injury. Athletic injuries include soft tissue damage that occurs when you overuse, overwork, or overstretch a muscle, ligament, or tendon. It also includes fractures. With these conditions, you may have pain, swelling, bruising, or a decrease in flexion or function. You may also notice you can’t bear weight or use a particular body part like you normally could.

Walk-in clinics have equipment to assess your injury, give an accurate diagnosis, and recommend treatment. If your injury is severe, you may be instructed to go to an orthopedic family medicine provider or the emergency room. However, for most mild to moderate injuries, a walk-in clinic is fully equipped to provide treatment.

Cuts and Wounds

You can also visit a walk-in clinic to get cuts and wounds dressed. Such injuries can occur while performing chores, playing sports, or doing hobbies. They can also occur at work or during car accidents. Walk-in clinics can clean and dress up wounds, as well as provide stitches.

Walk-in Clinic in Royal Palm and Wellington, Florida

Advanced Medical Clinic is a walk-in practice that offers a variety of treatments for a plethora of health issues and injuries. If you are looking for a family medicine provider you can visit whenever you need care, we are happy to help.

For more information, call Advanced Medical Clinic at (561) 434-1935 for an appointment or just walk in! For non-pressing issues, you may use our online appointment booking tool.

Top Questions To Ask Your Family Medicine Provider

Having a family medicine provider is essential for accessing adequate medical services. Family care providers’ are generalists who can deal with health issues impacting people at all stages of life. They help diagnose health problems and provide effective treatments to alleviate them. They can also refer patients to specialists for more extensive treatment, when necessary.

Building a strong professional relationship with your family medicine provider is paramount to ensuring the well-being of you and your family members. You can start cultivating this bond by asking these questions during your first appointment.

What are your credentials and experience level?

While standards exist to ensure that primary care providers meet adequate healthcare competencies, each provider has their unique skill set. Experiences from working on real-life cases can provide insight and expertise that complement theoretical practice. As such, it’s good to check if your provider’s experience aligns with your needs. For instance, if you have diabetes, you want a family medicine provider who routinely treats patients with this condition.

It’s also wise to inquire about your provider’s credentials. In particular, board certification provides concrete evidence that a family medicine provider has mastery in their medical practice.

What healthcare services do you offer?

Family care providers’ can address a wide range of medical conditions, given their status as general practitioners. However, you should make sure your family medicine provider is adequately equipped to handle your family’s specific needs.

Note that specific diagnostic tests and treatment options might require relatively uncommon equipment. As such, it helps to discuss the medical history of your family members with your provider, so you can tentatively plan for medical services you might need in the future.

Work with a family medicine provider who continuously updates their practice with cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art techniques. Innovative family medicine providers will allow you to take better advantage of new developments in medicine.

What check-ups and screening procedures do my family members need?

An annual check-up is a norm for some adults, but the ideal frequency can depend on various factors. If there is a family history of specific illnesses, you might need more frequent check-ups. Having a chronic disease also warrants a more frequent check-up schedule to ensure you remain in control of your condition.

Age also matters when planning check-ups. Children might need more visits to the family care provider to check if they are meeting essential growth milestones. The elderly may also need more screening tests as the risk of some diseases rises with age.

What vaccines does my child need?

Vaccines protect your child from many illnesses and encourage herd immunity. If enough people are vaccinated in a community, those who are unable to take a vaccine will still receive protection. Hence, you should ensure that your child gets the vaccines they need.

Vaccination schedules can be complicated, as specific doses work best at certain ages. Many programs also incorporate booster shots to lengthen the duration of immunity. Coordinate with your family care provider to ensure that everyone completes their vaccination schedules.

How can I access your services?

During your first meeting, establish logistics with your family care provider. Inquire about their schedule, so you can plan accordingly. Consider how you’ll go to and from the family medicine provider’s office, especially if you live far from the facility. Check out the facility premises, especially if a family member has accessibility needs.

Likewise, establish communication lines with your family care provider. Will they respond to email inquiries, or do they prefer phone calls? Know how to reach your family medicine provider, so you’re better prepared when an emergency happens.

Ask if your family medicine provider has telemedicine options. Virtual consultations can save time and allow people who cannot go outside to still get medical advice. The presence of telemedicine options also indicates that your family medicine provider embraces technology and innovation.

What are your office policies?

Don’t forget to ask about appointment options. Would you need to schedule in advance, or can you have same-day and walk-in appointments? Finally, ask about financial considerations, such as insurance coverage and payment methods.

Family Care In Wellington And Royal Palm Beach, FL

Having an experienced and compassionate family medicine provider is crucial for your health and that of your family members. Establishing a strong relationship with them starts with asking about their expertise and services. You should also discuss your medical needs, as well as the ways you can contact your family medicine provider in emergency situations. Working with a reliable and professional medical provider is a big step toward securing your health.

With facilities in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Advanced Medical provides top-notch primary and urgent care to Florida’s families. Our family medicine providers design comprehensive treatment plans to address a wide range of urgent and non-urgent conditions. Call us at (561) 434-1935 and set up an appointment to learn more. We hope to see you soon!

What To Expect From A Walk-In Clinic

It’s understandable to be concerned when you suddenly get sick or develop pain and cannot get an appointment with your primary care provider immediately. A common alternative is visiting a hospital emergency room for medical care, but the costs will be astronomical, along with the wait times. Fortunately, you have another option: walk-in clinics.

Walk-in clinics accept patients without previously scheduled appointments and provide urgent medical care for a variety of common and non-life-threatening conditions.

What Can I Expect From A Walk-In Clinic?

You can receive multiple services from a walk-in clinic. You will be assigned to an attending family medicine provider who will assist and provide you medical care. Here are things you can expect from your visit:

Treatment For Common Conditions

Walk-in clinics are the place to go if you’re experiencing common health problems. These conditions are usually mild but can cause you concern and discomfort – especially if you can’t get medical care from your primary care provider for several days. The following are common issues that can be treated during your visit:

Imaging And Laboratory Tests

Some walk-in clinics are also able to perform imaging and lab tests to aid in diagnosis. Your attending family medicine provider will recommend these based on your signs and symptoms. Common tests that may be conducted are urine and blood analysis, x-rays, electrocardiography (ECG), and ultrasounds.

Depending on your results, the attending provider will decide if you can be treated in-house, need prescription medication, or need a specialist. Your family medicine provider may also recommend more tests for a definitive diagnosis.

Urgent Care

Walk-in clinics can address numerous non-life-threatening problems that need urgent medical attention. These include injuries from small accidents like minor fractures, sprains, and burns. With walk-in clinics, you can expect quality and timely medical care without worrying about steep expenses.

However, you should also be aware of when to seek emergency care. Trouble breathing, chest pain, continuously high fever, and severe pain after an accident are things to look out for. If you are experiencing a life-threatening situation, you are advised to call emergency services or go to your local ER.

Convenience

Going to a walk-in clinic has several advantages, including convenient hours, short waiting times, and cost-efficient medical care.

If you don’t have time during the day to consult with a family medicine provider, some walk-in clinics are open after work hours or accept calls 24 hours a day. Medical costs are also reasonably lower for consultations, tests, and treatments. Services such as physical tests for school or work and pregnancy ultrasounds are also available in most walk-in clinics.

Walk-In Clinic In Wellington And Royal Palm Beach, FL

If you need urgent medical attention, Advanced Medical will ensure you get the proper care you deserve. Our compassionate primary care providers also accept same-day walk-in appointments to address conditions and concerns you may have.

To learn more about our services, call our office at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online. We have clinics in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach that are ready to provide you with quality healthcare. We look forward to serving you!

The Benefits of Seeing a Family Medicine Provider for Your Primary Care Needs

A family medicine provider is able to offer a comprehensive range of services, including preventive and urgent care services for many acute and chronic illnesses and conditions, alongside many on-site conveniences such as diagnostic testing and routine vaccinations. They can offer many benefits and be a great solution for many of your family’s primary healthcare needs.

Aside from medical emergencies, which require a visit to an urgent care center or emergency room, a family medicine provider can offer an extensive range of services for you and your family’s healthcare needs. They have the expertise and knowledge to work with patients regardless of their age or sex, allowing them to diagnose and treat conditions that affect the entire family.

Family Medicine Providers Follow Your Lifecycle

Family medicine providers treat a wide variety of acute and chronic conditions. They can provide the appropriate diagnosis and treatment for a variety of common illnesses and conditions ranging from joint and back pain, allergies, and ear infections to sport and work injuries and minor medical emergencies, such as cuts and burns. Family medicine providers can take care of your primary care needs through all stages of your family’s lives, allowing you the opportunity to establish a good lasting relationship with your family medicine provider and a continuity of care for all members of your family.

Thorough Knowledge of Personal and Family History

Because family medicine providers can work with you over a long period of time, they can get to know your medical history inside and out. This enables them to make accurate diagnoses and look out for red flags for emerging conditions or changes in your health through the years. Also, seeing multiple generations of a family can help record an accurate, in-depth family health history and allow your family medicine provider to offer appropriate screenings or identify potential red flags for particular conditions that may run in the family.

Range of Healthcare Provisions

Family medicine providers cover an extensive range of healthcare provisions, meaning there is less need to access additional healthcare providers, which can be costly, time consuming, and stressful. Not only do family medicine family medicine providers provide medical care for acute and chronic illnesses and minor injuries, they can carry out assessments such as annual physicals and wellness screenings. They can also provide diagnostic testing, such as CT scans and MRIs, and perform minor surgical procedures, such as freezing a wart or draining an abscess.

A family medicine provider can deliver personalized, ongoing care for chronic conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and high blood pressure, so if you or a member of your family does develop a chronic medical condition, your provider can help you manage it long-term. Their goal is to prevent complications, avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and specialist referrals, and to keep you as active and healthy as possible. If treatment in a hospital or extended care facility is necessary, a family medicine provider sees you through treatment and can assess your rehabilitative progress to determine the most effective follow-up steps in your personal treatment plan.

Some of the areas of expertise that family medicine covers include:

  • Diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and minor injuries
  • Routine check-ups and screening tests
  • Vaccinations and immunizations (including childhood immunizations)
  • Physicals (for employment, insurance, sports, school, and camp)
  • Disease prevention, detection, and management
  • Treatment and management of chronic conditions
  • Some minor surgical procedures
  • Weight management and advice on healthy living
  • Women’s health (including gynecologic exams, Pap smears, and preventive medicine)
  • Blood draws, EKG and echocardiography, and pulmonary function testing
  • Geriatric medicine

Finding You the Right Specialist

If there is a need for specialist treatment, your family medicine provider can coordinate with specialists on your behalf to make sure that all of your medical needs are addressed appropriately. They can also ensure that other healthcare providers involved in your care have all the necessary information regarding any conditions you may have and the medications you take.

Family Medicine Providers in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

If you are looking for personalized, quality health care for you and your family, visit Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida. We offer high quality primary and urgent care services and are dedicated to providing preventive care to our patients in order maintain wellness.

To learn more about the services we offer, or to arrange a visit, call us today at (561) 434-1935 or you can request an appointment online. We offer same-day and walk-in appointments for your convenience.

Blood Pressure: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and Why it’s Important

Blood pressure measures the force that the heart uses to pump blood around the body, and it can go up and down throughout the day and night according to activity level. If, however, blood pressure readings remain at a consistently abnormal level, it can indicate a problem, which, if left untreated, can lead to potentially life-threatening medical conditions.

We all require a certain amount of pressure to successfully move blood around the body. Normally, blood pressure rises during the day when we’re moving about or exercising, and when we’re resting or sleeping, it usually drops, which reduces the strain on the cardiovascular system.

How Is Blood Pressure Measured?

Blood pressure is determined by measuring systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings, and it is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Systolic blood pressure measures the force at which the heart exerts on the walls of the arteries each time it contracts (beats) – when pressure is at its highest. Diastolic blood pressure measures the force your heart exerts on the walls of the arteries when the heart rests between beats – when pressure is at its lowest.

The reading is recorded as two numbers – systolic pressure is the higher number and diastolic pressure is the lower number. Readings fall into four general categories, which range from normal to stage 2 high blood pressure. To get an accurate blood pressure measurement, your family medicine provider will evaluate your blood pressure readings based on the average of two or more blood pressure readings. Ranges can vary depending on age and other factors, but as a general guide, the readings are as follows:

  • Normal blood pressure, which has a systolic reading of less than 120 and a diastolic reading of less than 80
  • Prehypertension – 120-130 (systolic) and 80-89 (diastolic)
  • High Blood Pressure stage 1 – 140-159 (systolic) and 90-99 (diastolic)
  • High Blood Pressure stage 2 – 160 or higher (systolic) and 100 or higher (diastolic)

Low blood pressure (hypotension), which is much less common, is considered as 90 or lower (systolic) and 60 or lower (diastolic). It can be caused by certain medications, medical conditions such as diabetes, pregnancy, or an underlying condition such as heart failure or dehydration. Low blood pressure requires further investigation, and treatment will depend on the cause.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, means blood pressure is consistently too high – even when resting, and means the heart has to work hard to pump blood around the body. High blood pressure is often termed as the “silent killer,” because it doesn’t always present noticeable symptoms but can cause significant cardiovascular and organ damage and increase your risk of life-threatening health complications. High blood pressure can cause progressive damage to blood vessels by causing them to become rigid or narrow. This makes it easier for fatty material, known as atheroma, to build up in them, which, in severe cases, can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

There isn’t always an exact cause of high blood pressure. It can be related to unhealthy lifestyle habits including smoking, drinking too much alcohol or caffeine, being overweight, not exercising enough, and consuming too much salt.

Secondary hypertension is caused by another medical condition, such as kidney disease, adrenal gland tumors, coarctation of the aorta (a narrowed aorta from birth), pregnancy, and thyroid dysfunction. Often, if the source of secondary hypertension is treated, blood pressure can return to normal.

Risk of high blood pressure can increase if you are over 65, have a close blood relative with high blood pressure, have a medical condition such as diabetes, or due to certain medications such as birth control pills.

Diagnosing and Treating High Blood Pressure

Without symptoms, people can have high blood pressure for years without even realizing. The only way to diagnose high blood pressure is to have it measured – usually with a blood pressure cuff, which is a quick and painless process. A blood pressure cuff is positioned around your arm and inflated. As air in the cuff is released, a stethoscope is used to listen to the pulse. Pressure is recorded as blood returns to the arm. It is then classified as normal, prehypertension, or high.

Further tests to check your organs for damage may be requested, which may include blood or urine tests, an eye exam, imaging tests, or specific tests to detect heart or blood vessel damage.

Treatment for high blood pressure primarily consists of lifestyle changes (such as weight loss, exercise, and dietary changes) and medications to bring it back within a normal range and reduce the risk of life-threatening conditions.

Quality Primary Care in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

If you are concerned about your blood pressure, speak to the compassionate primary care providers at Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida. At Advanced Medical, we diagnose and treat high blood pressure along with many other medical conditions and urgent care needs.

To learn more about our services, or to arrange an appointment, call us today at (561) 434-1935 or you can request an appointment online.

Coronavirus Treatment Evolution – What we now know about how to treat COVID-19

Coronavirus Treatment Evolution – What we now know about how to treat COVID-19

You may be hearing about coronavirus on a daily basis, but do you know what to do in case you develop symptoms? There’s no telling whether you will get mild or severe symptoms when you get infected. Fortunately, we have learned a lot about treatment over the past several months.

Mild Symptoms

If you develop a fever, dry cough, and body aches and think you may have COVID-19, you must stay home. Call your primary care family medicine provider and let them know of your symptoms. Your family medicine provider may recommend that you get tested to make sure you know the cause of your symptoms. Follow your family medicine provider’s instructions to help make your recovery more comfortable. Monitor your symptoms closely.

According to the CDC, people with mild symptoms of coronavirus can recover from home. Take care of yourself and do what you can to be healthy and help your body fight the virus. Rest, eat nutritious food, take your vitamins, hydrate, take a fever reducer, sleep, and do light exercises. Most people with mild symptoms feel better after a week. Most people who get COVID-19 have mild symptoms. As such, there is no need for prescription medication while they recover in most cases.

Moderate to Severe Symptoms

In the case you have severe symptoms, treatment may be necessary. Your family medicine provider may prescribe medications to help with symptoms, but not to treat COVID-19 itself. While the world awaits a vaccine, so far, only one medication has been approved by the FDA to treat COVID-19, and that is Remdesivir. This is only for patients who are hospitalized. A corticosteroid called dexamethasone is also used for patients with severe symptoms who need a ventilator. Convalescent plasma therapy or using the blood of people who recovered from COVID-19 is also used to help reduce the severity of the symptoms and help patients recover. If you have severe symptoms, your family medicine provider will determine which (if any) of these treatments can help you.

If you develop severe symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, a consistently high fever, or if your lips turn blue, go to an emergency room immediately. Remember, only patients with severe and life-threatening symptoms are admitted to the hospital.

The FDA is expediting the development of COVID-19 treatments at this time. In the meantime, mind your hygiene, follow social distancing guidelines, and do what you can to strengthen your immune system.

Family Medicine Provider in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

Our primary care providers, Dr. Ishan Gunawardene and Shariffa Gunawardene, ARNP are dedicated to providing personalized care and treatment. They are focused on restoring you to your optimal health. In light of the pandemic, we closely monitor patients who are COVID-19 positive and those who are showing symptoms but have not been tested. We understand that these are scary times, which is why we provide personalized care and support backed by medical science. If you have questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider, call (561) 434-1935 or use our online request form.