Family Medicine

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.

Safety Equipment for Equestrians

Horse riding is a fun activity that is not only healthy but also very enjoyable for animal lovers. Whether you are a professional equestrian or simply like riding in leisure time, horse riding is a fulfilling sport for everyone. Like with any sport or athletic activity, safety equipment is a pivotal aspect of keeping yourself safe from injury. Let’s take a look at safety equipment that equestrians should use every time they ride to keep themselves safe.

Reflective Clothing

One of the basic safety needs of an equestrian is reflective clothing. This type of protective gear helps the riders be more visible in situations with low light. Reflective clothing may also include straps which can be placed around the horse to make it more visible. Reflective clothing helps people see the rider and horse clearly so there is less chance of collisions or accidents.

Helmet

A good helmet serves as an airbag for your head and brain. Statistics show that in 2017, approximately 15,000 head injuries in the United States were caused by falling off or handling horses. This makes a helmet critical to head safety so in the situation a rider falls, there is minimal damage to the head.

Riding Vest

The riding vest protects the torso from bruising, prevents injury to the internal organs, and helps reduce injury to soft tissue in accidents. Some equestrians don’t like wearing riding vests because they tend to be bulky which leads to sweating. However, the safety benefits of a riding vest outweigh the inconvenience it may provide. Whether you are an occasional rider, speed game competitor, jumping rider, or long-distance rider, you should always wear a riding vest.

<h2″>Boots

There are a variety of boots available for equestrians. Two examples are tall boots and riding boots. Tall boots protect the riders’ legs from chafing while they ride. They also prevent riders’ legs from getting scraped by shrubs and branches on the trail. Riding boots are characterized by small heels. The purpose of these low heels is to assist the riders’ feet in the stirrup. They also protect the toes from getting trampled. The type of boot you should use when you ride a horse depends on the type of horse-riding activities you do and the safety needs specific to that activity.

Gloves

Gloves are crucial when riding horses because they provide extra strength and grip to the hands. The gloves protect against blisters from pulling and navigating the horse.

While it is impossible to guarantee you won’t get hurt while riding a horse, having the correct safety gear on can significantly lower your chances of injury. In the case you need assistance from injuries sustained while riding a horse, playing another sport, or from events that occur in routine life, you should have a trustworthy and experienced family medicine provider to lean on for support. The experts at Advanced Medical Clinic are happy to help you with any and all medical problems you may have. Call (561) 434-1935 to make an appointment or set an appointment online.

The Pains of Aging

It’s an inevitable part of the human experience – the older we get, the more likely we will begin to feel the aches and pains of aging.

Often, the culprit is short-term acute pain that is suddenly triggered because your body isn’t as nimble as it used to be. Your muscle fibers have become weaker due to a loss of density, your equilibrium is not as steady, your joints are stiffer, and the cartilage in those joints has worn down.

Older adults can also begin to experience chronic pain following an illness, an injury, or the onset of a health issue. Certain parts of your body – such as your hands, wrists, hips, knees, neck, and lower back – get overused throughout your life, which is why conditions such as osteoarthritis and other forms of joint pain are so common among those of us who are age 60 or older.

Other age-related sources of pain include degenerative disc disease (affecting the discs in the spine), frozen shoulder, bone spurs, and rheumatoid arthritis. Headaches and migraines are also a common source of pain among mature adults, although those can start much earlier in life.

How Can I Prevent Age-Related Pains?

Just because it’s a normal part of the aging process doesn’t mean you have to tolerate acute or chronic pain. There are many natural ways you can help reduce and/or prevent pain at any age. Some simple measures include:

  • Exercising every day – even if it’s just walking or stretching.
  • Eating well, particularly eliminating processed and sugary foods from your diet.
  • Adding grapes and berries that are rich in resveratrol and antioxidants to your diet.

Eating anti-inflammatory foods, such as fish. You can also take a fish oil supplement and/or add turmeric to your meals. (Note that fish oil supplements can negatively affect your eyesight, so discuss it with your family medicine provider first.)

  • Losing a few pounds if you have to, and maintain your normal body weight.
  • Using hot and cold therapy, as well as topical medications.
  • Taking Epsom salt baths to soothe your muscles and aching limbs.
  • Trying some holistic pain-relieving methods such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, acupuncture, and acupressure.

Of course, some age-related pain is too complex or severe to respond to do-it-yourself therapy and home remedies. When that is the case, you may require prescribed medication and/or professional medical treatment.

Family Medicine in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach

At Advanced Medical Clinic in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, we pride ourselves on providing personalized, quality health care for your entire family. That includes diagnosing and treating painful, age-related conditions such as headaches, migraines, arthritis, and other joint conditions, as well as many more chronic and acute illnesses.

Board-certified internist Dr. Ishan Gunawardene offers advanced and customized treatment options for adults of all ages, including geriatric medicine. To learn more about us and the primary services we offer, or to arrange a visit to our friendly clinic, call us today at (561) 434-1935, or request an appointment using our online form. We are always happy to serve you.

Reasons Why You Need a Family Medicine Provider

Health care is becoming increasingly fragmented, which can make it hard to know who to turn to when you need medical attention. Americans are increasingly using emergency rooms or urgent care centers as their primary health care source, instead of just for medical emergencies. While this may seem easier or more convenient, the reality is that having a family medicine provider can be the better choice.

Long-Term Medical History

Having a good family medicine provider who has taken care of you anywhere from infancy to adulthood is beneficial and important for many reasons. Since the relationship is developed over time, your primary care provider gets to know you and your medical history inside and out, which means more accurate diagnoses and consistent monitoring of changes in your health over time.

A family medicine provider familiarity with your medical history means that you’re supported in both disease management and disease prevention. Treatment provided over a long period of time means that family medicine provider learns what is considered normal for you. This allows the family medicine provider to be the first to detect emerging conditions through any significant changes that could indicate a serious problem.

Comprehensive Care

A family medicine provider can provide regular checkups and exams, as well as offer advice and information on a wide range of topics. Your family medicine provider can also provide comprehensive care by treating a wide range of health conditions, from back pain and flu to managing chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma.

The family medicine provider’s ability to listen to your needs and give you time and expertise with each treatment ensures that you receive the best care possible.

Continuity of Care With Specialists

Another important benefit of having a family medicine provider is continuity of care if you need to see a specialist. Your family medicine provider has unique knowledge of your health and can consult with the specialist about your conditions and history. By being active in the referral process, the primary care provider can ensure that the specialist has all the right background information on your conditions and the medications you take. Keeping you in good health is the goal, so trusting in your family medicine provider’s expertise can go a long way.

Advanced Family Health Care in Wellington, Florida

Seeing a familiar face as you travel through the stages of life can be very comforting, especially when times get tough. At Advanced Medical Clinic, PA, we pride ourselves on providing individualized, quality health care for your family.

To learn more about us and the services we offer, or to arrange a visit to our Wellington, Florida clinic, call us at (561) 434-1935, or request an appointment using our online form. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have about our practice and the primary care services we provide.

What Can a Family Medicine Provider Help You With?

Did you know that about one in every four provider’s office visits – some 214 million in the US alone – are made to a family medicine provider?

That’s because unlike medical specialists who focus on a specific ailment or injury to a particular part of the body, family medicine providers offer a wide range of care for a variety of health conditions to patients of all ages.

Here are just some of the many healthcare needs a family medicine practitioner can help you with:

  • Preventive care – A family medicine provider can not only educate you about disease prevention and maintaining your health, but also oversee your preventive care. That includes your mental and emotional, as well as physical, needs. For example, your family family medicine provider can suggest the best forms of exercise for your particular fitness level, provide weight control and nutritional counseling, conduct fertility testing, or show you stress relief and anger management techniques to improve your overall well-being.
  • Handling common health complaints – Whether it’s treating a cold or flu, a sore throat or ear infection, your family family medicine provider’s office is your first – and often only – stop for appropriate diagnosis and medication. Also, if you or your child require immunizations, your family medicine provider is the person to see.
  • Diagnosis of emerging conditions – As someone familiar with your medical history, your family family medicine provider can analyze new and unusual symptoms and recognize the development of a hidden or serious condition requiring prompt attention. For example, your family medicine provider is usually the first family medicine provider to examine you and screen for early signs of cancer, heart disease, or diabetes. That includes ordering, performing, and interpreting tests to diagnose the condition, explain the test results to you, monitor your treatment and rehabilitation, and re-evaluate your therapy when necessary.
  • Managing chronic illness – One of the responsibilities of a family medicine provider is to provide personalized, ongoing care for chronic and degenerative conditions such as asthma, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke. Using diagnostic tests, they assess your rehabilitative progress to determine the most effective follow-up steps in your personal treatment plan.
  • Coordinating your rehabilitation – Your family medicine provider is the one who refers you to a specialist if your condition requires specialized care. But his or her involvement doesn’t end there. Acting as your primary care provider, your family medicine provider coordinates on your behalf with specialists, physical or occupational therapists, pharmacists, and any other health care providers to make sure that all of your medical needs are addressed.

That is why it is often said that “family medicine providers do not treat diseases; they take care of people.”

The friendly staff at Advanced Medical is committed to providing the highest quality care you need to return your family to health and keep you well. If you have any questions about our primary care services, please call our office at (561) 434-1935. To schedule an appointment, you can call us or use our secure online appointment request form.