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When to Visit a Family Medicine Provider

A lasting, personal patient-provider relationship hinged on integrated care is considered to be the bedrock of family medicine. That is to say, a family medicine provider is trained to provide the most effective health care by examining the whole body—and not just merely focusing on one organ system. This is the very reason why appointments with family medicine care providers account for nearly half of yearly walk-in visits among American patients, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

So whether it is for a flu jab or to keep your blood sugar in check, here are the reasons why seeing your family medicine care provider is a much better choice than having to go right to the ER.

Vast Range of Expertise

A family medicine care provider is a family medicine provider who has the expertise to work with patients of all ages: infants, children, adults, and the elderly. This means they can diagnose and treat many conditions affecting the entire family, allowing continuity of care and the chance to establish a good patient-provider relationship. Family medicine covers an extensive range of healthcare provision, so there is the less need to access additional healthcare, which can be costly and time consuming.

Here are some of the areas that family medicine covers:

  • Diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and minor injuries
  • Routine check-ups and screening tests
  • Vaccinations and immunizations (including childhood immunizations)
  • Disease prevention, detection, and management
  • Treatment and management of chronic conditions (such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and high blood pressure)
  • Some minor surgical procedures
  • Wellness screenings
  • Health risk assessments
  • Pre-operative exams
  • Weight management and advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle
  • Women’s health (including gynecologic exams, pap smears, and preventive medicine)
  • Blood draws, ECG and echocardiography, and pulmonary function testing
  • Diagnostic testing (such as CT scans and MRIs)

What Can a Family Medicine Provider Treat? 

The frequency of your family care provider visit would largely depend on your health. Many providers recommend you hop in once or twice a year for a check-up; however, if you have a chronic condition, such as hypertension or diabetes, you will likely need to be checked more often. Here are some of the other health conditions that your family medicine care provider can treat:

  • Allergies and asthma
  • Bronchitis
  • Flu
  • Strep throat
  • Tonsillitis
  • Whiplash
  • Minor injuries (such as burns, animal bites, sprains and strains)
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Back pain
  • Digestive problems, etc.

>Treading the Pathway to Optimal Health

Far too often, many people think of seeing a family medicine provider only when they are sick or are suspecting that they might have an undiagnosed health issue. You have to see your family medicine provider even when you’re in the pink of health. As mentioned above, family medicine providers are well equipped to keep tabs on the entire family’s health and are highly trained to determine when specialty care is required. As suggested above, they recommend regular checkups and preventative health screenings as well as offer expert advice and information on a wide range of health issues. They coordinate with specialists to maximize care and minimize inconvenience for their patients.

Family Medicine in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

If you are looking to get individualized, quality health care for your whole family, Advanced Medical can help. We offer a comprehensive range of preventive, sick, and urgent care services and pride ourselves on providing personal care for all your healthcare needs.

To learn more about us and 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 as well as walk-in appointments for your convenience, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have about our practice and the primary care services we provide.

Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain

Pain is a universally understood symptom of a health problem. Whether it’s due to an injury, a disease, or something else, pain is a way of alerting you that something is amiss in your body.

Determining when to see a family medicine provider for pain symptoms can be a little confusing. For instance, a minor ankle sprain, a bruise, and a migraine all cause temporary pain. So, do they garner a family medicine provider visit? Not necessarily. The trick to knowing when to see a family medicine provider is understanding if your pain is acute or chronic.

In many cases, acute pain can be treated at home. However, chronic pain is a clear sign that your body has an underlying issue that is going unaddressed.

Let’s take a closer look at what it means for pain to be acute or chronic.

Acute Pain

More common that chronic pain, acute pain is usually preceded by an incident. Practically every person on the planet has experienced acute pain at some point or another. Acute pain can come after stubbing your toe, an exercise injury, wearing ill-fitting shoes all evening, a stress-induced headache, or throwing out your back when picking up a heavy object. Acute pain refers to pain that is temporary. This means, the underlying cause of the pain can be addressed quickly, at which time the associated pain symptoms dissipate. Most of the time, acute pain can be treated at home or through a quick visit to a primary care provider.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain refers to pain symptoms that are felt for longer than a few weeks. If you throw out your back while picking up a heavy object, your pain symptoms should go away within a few days. If this isn’t the case, your pain could be chronic. Another sign of chronic pain is if your pain symptoms return intermittently for more than a few weeks. An example of this is migraine headaches. A migraine headache once in a while is considered acute pain. However, if you experience migraines on a regular basis, such as several times a month, it is considered chronic pain. Another example is foot pain that develops whenever you stand or walk for long periods of time.

Chronic pain is a definite sign that you need treatment. An underlying injury or condition is causing the pain symptoms, and because the cause is going unaddressed, the pain symptoms are returning repeatedly. Monitor how you feel, and seek medical attention if you are feeling unwell for quite some time. In many cases, chronic pain tends to get worse if left untreated. As such, your pain symptoms could increase in severity and frequency if you don’t seek medical care.

Chronic Pain Treatment in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

Whether you have acute or chronic pain, seeking the advice of a medical family medicine provider is always beneficial in reducing your symptoms. At Advanced Medical, we can help you manage your pain symptoms and treat the underlying cause.

To schedule an appointment, call (561) 434-1935 or submit an appointment request.

Treatments for Whiplash

Whiplash is an acute neck injury that occurs from a forceful backward-and-forward (“whipping”) motion of the neck and head. This injury is most often due to a car accident, but it can also happen when playing sports and in other high-impact activities. The injury stresses the neck muscles, ligaments, and the cervical spine – which is the topmost section of the spinal column in the neck.

Whiplash causes intense neck pain and stiffness, but it may take a couple of days before it is felt. This is why it is important to have a family medicine provider’s evaluation right after suffering a high-impact accident even if you don’t feel like you were injured, because the family medicine provider’s report will serve as proof of the injury if necessary when filing a claim.

The symptoms may go away on their own, but it largely depends on the severity of the injury. Treatment often focuses on pain management and physical therapy exercises to facilitate healing.

How Can Whiplash Be Treated?

A family medicine provider will first assess the extent of your neck injury. Controlling pain is a main focus in treatment, and the treatments may include one or more of the following methods:

Supportive Neck Collar

Your family medicine provider may recommend that you wear a foam collar to prevent neck movement, which can exacerbate the symptoms and slow down the healing process. However, it is not recommended that you wear it for an extended period of time, because the collar can contribute to muscle weakness and atrophy as you’re not using those muscles in your neck.

Home Therapies

The family medicine provider may prescribe anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, or pain-relieving medication. Temperature therapy also helps with recovery, and it is usually advised that patients with whiplash apply heat and ice to the affected area a couple of times each day for 15 minutes each time. Be sure to follow your family medicine provider’s directions in order to prevent getting a burn or frostbite.

Rest

While recovering from a whiplash injury, be sure to get plenty of rest to allow your body to heal. Do not be inactive during the day, however – exercise your legs and walk around to facilitate circulation and movement.

Physical Therapy

A physical therapist (PT) can teach you exercises that will assist with a slow return to your neck’s normal function. Moreover, the PT can also use physical therapy modalities that can ease your neck pain, such as electrical stimulation and ultrasound therapy.

Family Medicine Provider in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach

If you’ve been involved in a car accident or sports accident and are experiencing symptoms of whiplash, our family medicine providers at Advanced Medical Clinic can quickly diagnose your injury and prescribe treatment. We offer full-service medical care for the whole family, from immunizations to checkups to preventive care. We also offer same-day appointments and serve walk-ins for urgent healthcare needs.

To request an appointment with one of our outstanding healthcare providers, call Advanced Medical Clinic today at (561) 434-1935 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your family’s go-to medical clinic!

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects up to 30 million men across the United States. It can be a distressing condition, and it can be caused by many different factors such as an underlying health condition or stress.

If erectile dysfunction is regularly interfering with your life, it may be time to seek advice from an internal medicine specialist to get to the root of the issue so it can be successfully treated. Let’s talk about what causes ED and who can help you overcome the condition with treatment.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

It is not uncommon for men to fail to get, or keep, an erection from time to time. However, if this issue becomes a more frequent problem, it may be a sign of erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence.

ED occurs when you are unable to achieve an erection, maintain an erection, or ejaculate on a regular basis. This issue can be caused by a number of physical and emotional problems, and the risk of developing erectile dysfunction increases with age. The risk of ED also increases in men who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

Sexual arousal is a complex process involving the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. If there is a problem in one of these areas, such as an underlying heart condition or circulatory problem, it can cause erectile dysfunction.

Lifestyle factors including smoking, drinking alcohol, or using illicit drugs can also have an impact on the ability to achieve or sustain an erection. Some of the other main underlying conditions that can lead to ED include the following:

Cardiac Conditions

Health conditions that affect the heart and blood flow, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension (high blood pressure), and atherosclerosis (clogged blood vessels, or hardening of the arteries), can negatively impact the amount of blood traveling to the penis. If there is not enough blood flow, it can prevent the ability to achieve or maintain an erection. Being overweight or obese can also cause elevated cholesterol levels and damage blood vessels, thereby leading to erectile dysfunction.

Endocrine Disorders

The endocrine system is a network of glands that produce, release, and regulate hormones to help with many important functions within the body. These functions include metabolism, reproduction, sexual function, and mood. Endocrine disorders can cause the body to produce too much or too little of a hormone, thereby leading to a hormone imbalance – and some of these hormonal abnormalities can cause erectile dysfunction.

Neurological and Nerve Disorders

Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, and stroke result from damage to the nervous system. Nerve damage can affect the brain’s ability to communicate with parts of the body, such as the reproductive system, thereby potentially preventing the ability to achieve an erection. Injury, prostate surgery, and surgeries that affect the pelvic or spinal region can also result in nerve damage that lead to erectile dysfunction.

Medications

Some medications, such as those which treat high blood pressure, can decrease blood flow to the penis and make it difficult to achieve an erection. Other medications can affect the hormones or nerves and cause the same effect.

Medicines that can contribute to erectile dysfunction include:

  • Prostate cancer medications
  • Diuretics
  • Antidepressants
  • Beta-blockers
  • Chemotherapy
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Synthetic hormones

Psychological Factors

Psychological issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, and fatigue can all affect your ability to become sexually aroused. This can have an impact on achieving or sustaining an erection.

Comprehensive Medical Care in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach

Here at the Advanced Medical Clinic, we offer a high standard of primary and urgent care for health issues and health maintenance. Our comprehensive treatment options are designed to help you achieve a better quality of life through management of many conditions, such as erectile dysfunction and reproductive issues.

If you are looking for quality healthcare, turn to our board-certified internal medicine specialist Dr. Gunawardene and his team of experienced and compassionate medical providers. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today by calling us at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment now via our convenient online form. We look forward to being your healthcare partner.

Signs of Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can affect anyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 45% of adult Americans have high blood pressure. Moreover, only about 24% of those individuals have their hypertension under control.

Because hypertension can cause cardiovascular disease and organ failure, it is important to have it treated by a family medicine provider. Let’s talk about some of the main signs of high blood pressure and what you can do about it.

What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?

Hypertension does not always show obvious symptoms, but some of the initial warning signs include the following:

Shortness of Breath

If you find yourself having breathing difficulty even when you are not doing anything at all, you may have hypertension. This is the most common telltale sign for high blood pressure.

Shortness of breath occurs because the heart is having difficulty pushing oxygen-rich blood to the lungs. Moreover, you may have blocked or narrowed arteries in the lungs, in which case the body is not getting enough oxygenated blood.

Blood in Urine

Also known as hematuria, blood in your urine can be a signal that you may have hypertension. It happens because your blood pressure affects your kidneys and vice versa. Kidneys work as filters for your blood, so if you have kidney problems, then you are also at risk for high blood pressure.

Vision Problems

Untreated hypertension can damage the blood vessels in your retina, which is the part of your eye that is responsible for sending neural signals to the brain for visual recognition. If you are experiencing sudden vision problems, seek immediate medical care by an experienced family medicine provider, as it may indicate severe hypertension or another underlying health condition.

Severe Headaches

High blood pressure can cause headaches because of the excessive pressure that it puts on the brain, leading to swelling. The headaches are likely to occur on both sides of the head and may pulsate and worsen when doing strenuous activities.

Vomiting

If vomiting comes along with your pulsating headache, then you may have hypertension. It may also be a symptom of stroke.

Nosebleed

While not a common sign or result of high blood pressure, having hypertension can make you more prone to having a bloody nose. Moreover, severe hypertension can cause your nose to bleed longer.

Seizure or Stroke

When left untreated, hypertension can progress to a hypertensive crisis, which is a severe increase in blood pressure. This can lead to a seizure or a stroke.

Blood Pressure Checks in Palm Beach County

Signs of hypertension rarely show until your condition is already severe, which then puts you at a greater risk of having a heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. That is why it is important to have regular checkups from your healthcare provider.

Here at Advanced Medical Clinic, we are here to be your healthcare partner. As a patient-centered and family-oriented clinic, we provide the best treatments curated for each patient.

To experience this kind of quality service, call us today at (561) 434-1935, or set an appointment online by filling out our appointment request form now. We look forward to seeing you here.

5 Signs Of Arthritis You Shouldn’t Ignore

It is not unusual to experience joint pain occasionally, particularly if you lead an active lifestyle. Not warming up correctly prior to exercise or injuring muscles, ligaments, or tendons near a joint can lead to pain. Fortunately, this pain is often only temporary. However, if you start to experience chronic aching, pain, or stiffness around a joint, it could indicate a more serious condition, such as arthritis, and may require treatment.

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a common disease that can cause pain, stiffness, immobility, and swelling in a joint. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and causes the protective cartilage that covers the ends of bones to gradually break down and wear away. Cartilage is a tough, shock absorbing material that provides a smooth surface to allow bones to easily and painlessly glide against each other during motion. Loss of the protective cartilage lining can cause painful bone on bone rubbing in the joint. Other symptoms can include immobility, swelling, and the formation of boney growths in the affected area.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can lead to deformity and loss of function. It commonly affects the hands but can happen anywhere in the body. Healthy synovium (the protective membrane that covers joints) secretes a lubricant called synovial fluid, which acts as a cushion between joints and ligaments to reduce friction between the bones and prevents wear and tear.

Rheumatoid arthritis causes the synovium to become inflamed, which stops it from working properly. This causes cartilage, bones, and tissues to deteriorate. As swelling occurs, the tendons and ligaments stretch, leading to joint misalignment and deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most severe and disabling types of arthritis.

Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

If you start to notice the following symptoms on a regular basis, you should seek advice from your family medicine provider. It could mean you have arthritis.

1. Swelling, Warmth, Or Redness Around A Joint If you notice swelling or redness around a joint, or if the area feels unusually warm or tender to the touch, it can indicate inflammation around the joint, which can be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. It could, however, also indicate an infection or other condition such as gout, so it is best to speak to your family medicine provider to get an accurate diagnosis.

2. Joint Stiffness In The Morning Many people start to feel stiff in the morning when they first wake up, particularly older individuals. This joint stiffness should ease as you begin moving and shouldn’t last more than half an hour or so. If your joint stiffness doesn’t ease as you get moving or lasts for several hours a day or more, it could indicate that you have arthritis. 

3. Joint Pain At Night You may not notice joint pain as much during the day when you are moving around and carrying out normal activities. Arthritis pain, however, can become worse during the night. If you are finding a joint, such as your knee, hip, spine, or big toe, causing you pain at night, or your sleep is being severely disrupted as a result of joint pain, it may be time to see a family medicine provider. 

4. Discomfort After Exercise It is natural to have some discomfort after strenuous exercise and could be caused by the overstretching of muscles, tendons, or ligaments. However, if you are suffering with pain, discomfort, or stiffness within a joint which has been triggered by being active and is becoming a more frequent problem, it could be a sign of arthritis. 

5. You Are Struggling With Day-To-Day Activities If you are finding you have an inability to carry out normal day-to-day activities without joint pain or stiffness, or you are finding yourself avoiding activities that you normally enjoy, you should see a family medicine provider. Temporarily restricting or avoiding certain activities as a result of an injury is normal, but if your lifestyle is becoming increasingly affected by joint pain, this could indicate a chronic joint condition, such as arthritis.

Treatment For Arthritis

Arthritis can be very painful and disabling. Medications, physical therapy, other modalities, and lifestyle adjustments can help to alleviate symptoms. Sometimes, however, surgical treatment may be necessary. Your family medicine provider will be able to help you explore different treatment options available to effectively reduce your joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Arthritis Care In Wellington And Royal Palm Beach, Florida

At Advanced Medical Clinic, we offer a high standard of primary and urgent care. Our comprehensive treatment options are designed to help you achieve a better quality of life through management of health conditions, including arthritis.

Dr. Ishan Gunawardeneis an internal medicine specialist and offers continuity of care. For more information about our services, call us today at (561) 434-1935, or request an appointment online.

What People with Migraines Wish You Knew

Do you or a loved one get migraines? If you haven’t gotten one, you probably don’t know what it feels like. People who get frequent migraines sometimes struggle to express how they feel and why they must make last minute changes to plans if they end up getting one.

Here are things people who get migraines wish others knew. If you are a migraine sufferer, share these with people in your life. If you do not get migraines yourself but have someone in your life who does, here are some points that’ll make you understand the condition a little better.

It Is Nothing Like a Headache.

A migraine is so much more than a headache. The symptoms of a migraine include a throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, vision obstructions that appear right when a migraine is about to set in, and light, sound, and smell sensitivity. A headache goes away with ibuprofen, whereas a migraine does not. Moreover, a migraine can last days and repeatedly come back. Unlike with a normal headache, most people can’t simply take a pain reliever and go on about their day. Migraines require self-isolation in a quiet and dark place until it subsides. For many, this could be hours or even days.

It Can Have Disabling Effects.

Migraine episodes can be disabling. The combination of symptoms can prevent you from going to work, seeing friends and family, and attending events or social gatherings. A migraine can make you miss out on things that mean a lot to you, like a birthday party or a concert you’d been waiting months for. As a result, people around a migraine sufferer must be understanding and accommodating.

There are Migraine Triggers.

People who frequently get migraines often have triggers. For some, it may be certain smells, while for others it may be particular foods. Some people get migraines when they skip meals. Many women get migraines based on hormonal changes due to their menstrual cycle. You may also get migraines if you drink a lot or have a lot of stress to deal with. The important thing is to figure out what your triggers are and avoid them. This method will help you reduce the frequency of your migraines.

You Have to Act Fast.

When you get a migraine, it is important to stop what you’re doing and get ready to pass the migraine. If you are at work and a migraine comes on, you should leave work and head home. If you are planning a day out and a migraine develops, pushing through the migraine will likely not fix it, and you will probably end up being miserable. Many times, avoiding treatment can make migraine symptoms worse. Therefore, as soon as you feel a migraine is setting in, take medication (based on your family medicine provider’s orders) and get to a quiet, relaxing place to rest.

Migraine Treatment in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

If you are one of the over 38 million Americans who suffer from migraines, and you haven’t found a treatment plan that works for you, the internal family medicine provider at Advanced Medical can help. We treat a variety of conditions that affect adults, including migraines.

Talk to us about your symptoms, and we will come up with a solution that works. To schedule a consultation, call Advanced Medical at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment now. We also accept walk-ins!

What Causes Migraines?

Migraines affect 39 million Americans and a billion people worldwide every year. They can occur with or without warning signs, and for many people, they manifest suddenly. They are characterized by severe pain in the head that often requires you to drop whatever activity you are doing.

While you may experience sensory disturbances before a migraine comes, for many, it can come out of nowhere. Fortunately, you can avoid a migraine if you’re able to manage or steer clear of your triggers.

Here are some common causes of migraines.

Hormonal Changes

More women get migraines than men. Upon reaching adolescence, many women experience migraines due to hormonal changes happening in their bodies. Migraines usually occur during or before a menstrual period or during menopause or pregnancy. Changes in estrogen levels can trigger a migraine for many women.

Likewise, medications that cause hormonal changes, such as birth control pills and hormone replacement therapies, can also cause migraines.

Sensory Stimuli

There are many sensory triggers that can cause migraines. Flickering screens, bright lights, such as flashlights and the sun, and loud noises are some examples. Secondhand smoke and strong smells emanating from perfume, cigarettes, and paint thinners, among others, can also set off migraines for a lot of people.

Stress

Physical, emotional, and mental stress can set off a migraine. Physical stress may include strenuous exercise and sexual activities. Work and home life conflicts are also common causes of stress. All of these issues can serve as migraine triggers. Similarly, anxiety, depression, excitement, and shock can also be triggers.

Changes in Sleep Cycle

Jet lag, too much sleep, or a lack of sleep can all trigger migraines. If this is a trigger for you, being on a consistent sleep schedule that ensures you get just enough sleep can help prevent migraines.

Dietary Triggers

Not watching what you eat may also give you migraines. Eating processed foods with additives like monosodium glutamate (MSG) and aspartame is linked to migraine attacks. Salty and aged foods, such as cheese and salami, can give you migraines, as well.

While coffee and alcohol can be comfort drinks, they are linked to migraines. Consume these drinks in moderation. Aside from avoiding certain dietary triggers, remember to stay hydrated and eat regularly. Dehydration and skipping meals are also triggers for many.

Weather Changes

Frequent changes in weather are likely to affect your body temperature. Temperature changes cause migraine attacks for many people.

Genetics

Family history also contributes to your risk of developing migraines. For example, if one of your parents frequently experiences migraines, you may be at a higher risk of getting them – however, your triggers may be different than theirs.

Migraine Treatment In Wellington and Palm Beach, Florida

If your migraines prevent you from enjoying life, consult with a family medicine provider for treatment options. At Advanced Medical in Wellington and Palm Beach, Florida, our family medicine providers can help figure out your triggers and provide treatment options for much needed relief.

Visit us today and see how we can help get rid of your migraines. To make an appointment, please call (561) 434-1935, or you may request an appointment online.

Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes

There are a number of different types of diabetes, but two of the most common are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The complications of diabetes, regardless of the type, can be serious if the disease is ignored and left untreated.

Many people have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes without any knowledge that they have the disease. The high levels of glucose in the bloodstream can negatively impact circulation, which can thereby impact the nerves and lead to diabetic neuropathy.

Causes of diabetes are still unknown, although we do know how to treat it once it is discovered. Let’s talk about type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, and what you can do about each of them.

What Is Type 1 Diabetes?

This type of diabetes is often diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood, so it is also referred to as juvenile diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes do not naturally produce insulin, or they produce very little insulin, which is the hormone the pancreas produces to convert sugar (glucose) into energy. Insulin is also needed by the body to store glucose for future use, thereby regulating your blood sugar levels.

Ongoing insulin therapy is imperative to maintaining the good health of someone with type 1 diabetes. With insufficient levels of insulin in your body, you can experience dangerously low energy levels and high blood sugar levels.

This condition requires close monitoring of blood sugar levels and regular insulin shots. In the case of type 1 diabetes, most patients are born with it and cannot prevent or cure it.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Much more common than type 1 diabetes is type 2 diabetes. The causes are usually poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Smoking has also been shown to contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Having someone in your immediate family (parent, sibling, child) with type 2 diabetes increases your risk of developing it. This is the type of diabetes that people are often unaware of until the symptoms become more apparent and complications occur; however, almost everyone with type 2 diabetes had prediabetes first, so regular checkups by your family medicine provider will detect it before it becomes an issue.

With type 2 diabetes, either the diabetic’s body does make insulin but there is a problem with the absorption of glucose by the cells (insulin resistance), or the body does not produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes is often an adult-onset disease, but more and more children are now being diagnosed with it due to high obesity incidence among children.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Regardless of whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the symptoms can include:

  • Feeling very thirsty
  • Feeling very hungry
  • Urinating frequently
  • Losing weight for no apparent reason
  • Having blurry vision
  • Feeling extremely tired

Treatment for Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes

Treatment for type 1 diabetes involves regular insulin injections as necessary to maintain normal blood sugar levels. However, treatment for type 2 diabetes typically involves making lifestyle changes, such as exercising and dietary changes. Medication and diabetic foot care is also part of the treatment to avoid limb loss.

Advances in technology and research have greatly extended the average lifespan of patients with diabetes. Today, both of these two types are manageable diseases, and you can live a normal and active life.

Diabetes Management in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach

Our board-certified internal medicine family medicine providers here at Advanced Medical specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic medical conditions, such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes. We will help you manage your symptoms and prevent complications so that you can enjoy life.

To schedule a consultation, call Advanced Medical today at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment via our online form now. We look forward to being your healthcare partner!

Types of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a common ailment that millions of people suffer from every day. Chronic pain refers to pain symptoms that last longer than a few weeks or pain that comes and goes repeatedly.

There are many causes of chronic, including a variety of health conditions, diseases, and injuries that leave permanent damage to the body. Before you get the right treatment, it’s important to determine the type or root cause of your chronic pain.

The most common types chronic pain are:

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain linked to the musculoskeletal system. The chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia is caused by repeated nerve stimulation to the brain, which increase specific chemicals that signal pain. These neurotransmitters cause the brain’s receptors to build a type of pain-sensitivity that creates a memory of the pain to which the brain overresponds.

In addition to diffused pain, people affected by the condition may experience mood swings and fatigue that is exacerbated by difficulty with sleep. Memory may also be affected as cognitive issues can cloud thinking and the ability to focus.

Women develop fibromyalgia more often than men. There is no cure for the condition, and it can often cause tension headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and problems with the temporomandibular joint. Since fibromyalgia has no cure, family medicine providers aim to help patients manage the condition’s symptoms, so there is minimal effect on quality of life.

Nerve Damage

Nerve damage is another common cause of chronic pain, and peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common types.  A network of nerves connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. When peripheral nerves are affected by injury or disease, peripheral neuropathy can develop. The condition impairs muscle movement and causes pain and numbness in the limbs. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms.

Endometriosis

A common cause of chronic pain in the abdomen is endometriosis, a painful condition that causes excessive bleeding and cramps during a woman’s menstrual period. Endometriosis can also cause discomfort with urination and bowel movements. It is often managed with medications to control symptoms.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that refers to joint cartilage that has been deteriorated, damaged, or torn beyond repair. The cartilage can degenerate due to wear and tear, overuse, or an injury. Stiffness and chronic pain are common symptoms of this condition.  Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, which means symptoms tend to get worse with time. Osteoarthritis is often managed with pain medication, physical therapy, regenerative medicine techniques, and more. If these techniques do not help with pain symptoms, you may need joint surgery for long-term relief.

Back Pain

Back pain stemming from spinal stenosis, bulging discs, fractures, or compression of nerves in the spine can all be chronic in nature. Other conditions that are considered structural deformities, such as scoliosis, may also cause chronic pain. Back pain is often treated with physical therapy, medications to control symptoms, and in some cases, surgery.

Chronic Pain Treatment in Florida

If you are experiencing chronic pain, you don’t have to cope with it alone. Contact the experts at Advanced Medical Clinic today to get a diagnosis and treatment plan in place. To make an appointment, call (561) 434-1935. You can also request an appointment online.