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Arthritis 101: What Is Arthritis?

As we grow older, our joints become more susceptible to wearing down and degeneration. This could lead to a variety of pain symptoms and problems that older people may experience. Perhaps one of the most common issues older people experience is arthritis.

Here are some of the things you should know about this condition.

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a medical condition characterized by the inflammation of joints. It causes chronic pain and swelling, which can be debilitating to patients, preventing them from enjoying a full range of motion. While the primary symptom of arthritis is pain, patients also experience stiffness, a grinding sensation, redness in the area, and potential weakness.

There is a higher percentage of women who have arthritis than men. Although arthritis could affect people of any age, older adults are at higher risk. The condition may worsen with age and cause other joint and bone complications.

Types of Arthritis

Unbeknownst to some, arthritis is an umbrella term that encompasses various joint conditions, such as:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common kind of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease that is most likely to develop at an older age. It could affect all types of joints in the body, but it commonly affects the hands, hips, knees, shoulders, and spine.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis that could affect more than just joints. It is an autoimmune disease that makes the body’s immune system attack healthy tissues. It could also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, and other organs in the body.

Juvenile Arthritis

Arthritis is most common in the elderly, but juvenile arthritis affects children under the age of 16, impacting their joints and other nearby tissues. This condition also affects their growth and development. Juvenile arthritis causes sufferers to experience chronic pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Psoriatic Arthritis

This condition develops in people with psoriasis. It involves the formation of red, scaly patches all over the body. Currently, there is no known cure for this condition. The available interventions help alleviate and mitigate the pain and symptoms of patients.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the spine. Over time, this condition may cause the fusion of spinal bones. It causes back pain and may also bring intermittent hip pain and stiffness.

Gout

Gout is a painful condition caused by the excess build-up of uric acid in the body. Its symptoms typically include a painful burning sensation, accompanied by swelling and inflammation in the big toe.

Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis

Different patients experience a variety of symptoms. However, the most commonly reported ones are the following:

  • Joint pain
  • Swelling
  • Inflammation
  • Redness
  • Stiffness
  • Tenderness
  • Warmth in the area

Risk Factors

Risk for the development of arthritis varies from person to person, but the likelihood of developing arthritis can be affected by the following:

  • Age — the risk for developing arthritis increases with age
  • Lifestyle — smoking and lack of exercise increase risk
  • Sex — studies show that women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis while men are more likely to have gout
  • Weight — excess weight puts unnecessary pressure and strain on joints, increasing the risk of developing arthritis and other joint problems
  • Family History — you are more likely to develop arthritis if your family has a history of it
  • Previous Injuries — patients who have injured their joints in the past are more likely to develop arthritis in that affected joint

Treatment Options for Arthritis

Healthcare providers will first exhaust all conservative treatment options before suggesting more aggressive treatments. The most common interventions are as follows:

  • Medications — various medications can help relieve pain and address symptoms
    • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): reduce pain and inflammation in affected joints
    • Counterirritants: commonly include ointments and creams that reduce the transmission of pain signals to the brain
    • Steroid injections: direct cortisone shots to the affected area help relieve the pain longer than over-the-counter medications
  • Physical Therapy — this rehabilitative treatment option helps patients regain flexibility and mobility
  • Surgery — this is commonly suggested for patients with severe arthritis who haven’t found relief from conservative treatments

Arthritis Specialists in Wellington, FL

Conditions like arthritis may cause a variety of complications in the future. The longer it goes unaddressed, the worse it will likely get. It’s therefore critical to get it checked as soon as possible.

If you are looking for quality bone and joint care, look no further than Advanced Medical Clinic. Dr. Ishan Gunawardene, a board-certified internist, together with Shariffa Gunawardene, a board-certified family nurse practitioner, can provide you with the best primary holistic care possible from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation.

If you wish to know more about us and our services, you can check in online or call us at (561) 434-1935. You can also secure an appointment ahead of time by using our online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!

Erectile Dysfunction in Younger Men

While erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem among older men, it can occur in younger men as well. If it does, it can signal the possibility of an underlying health issue.

Below, you’ll learn about the factors that can predispose younger men to ED as well as what they should do about their condition.

Erectile Dysfunction Risk Factors

It’s important to take note that albeit advancing age is a common risk factor for ED, a man doesn’t have to be older to develop the condition. There are many health and lifestyle factors that can predispose even younger men to erectile dysfunction. These include the following:

  • Benign prostatic hypertrophy (prostate enlargement) – This condition can occur in men younger than 40 years of age.
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Depression and other mental health problems
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol levels
  • Hypertension
  • Kidney disease
  • Low testosterone levels
  • Medications (e.g., muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, antihypertensives, etc.) and some cancer treatments
  • Obesity
  • Peyronie’s disease- a condition that causes penis to bend and lose length or girth
  • Poor lifestyle habits- Substance abuse, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking
  • Prostate cancer – This can sometimes coexist with BPH.
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Surgery or trauma to the groin and genital area
  • Thyroid issues

ED as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Disease

Several studies have established a strong link between heart health and erectile dysfunction: while erectile dysfunction can be caused by cardiovascular disease, the former can also be a predictor of the latter.

It stands to reason that if a man has numerous episodes of erectile dysfunction, he should consult with his primary care physician, who will do a complete assessment and order certain tests to determine the underlying condition. The patient should also be honest about when ED happens and how frequently as this information can help his doctor confirm a diagnosis and connect him to the appropriate interventions.

Primary Care Physician in Wellington, FL

At Advanced Medical Clinic, our board-certified internal medicine physician, Dr. Ishan Gunawardene, provides evidence-based, compassionate, and confidential care for men dealing with erectile dysfunction. He offers a range of innovative interventions customized to your specific health needs. Should advanced care be necessary for your condition, Dr. Gunawardene will gladly coordinate your care with the right specialist.

To arrange a consultation with Dr. Gunawardene, call us at (561) 434-1935. You may also book a visit right here on our website. We look forward to helping you feel your best in and out of the bedroom!

Why You Should See a Family Medicine Doctor for Your Chronic Pain

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that chronic pain afflicts roughly 50 million adults in the United States. If you’re a statistic, one of your best bets to keep chronic pain from wreaking havoc on your mental health and interfering with your overall quality of life is to work with your family medicine doctor.

Read on to learn about the specific measures your family medicine doctor can employ to help you tackle your chronic pain.

Devising a Care Plan for Your Chronic Pain

Chronic pain has various potential causes. It could be caused by arthritis, fibromyalgia (a condition that causes widespread body pain), an untreated musculoskeletal injury, multiple sclerosis, or any other health problem.

Your family doctor can get to the bottom of your chronic pain by reviewing your symptoms, medical history, and current health status as well as ordering the necessary tests (e.g., blood work, diagnostic imaging, etc.).

If your family doctor deems that you need advanced treatment, they will coordinate your care with a specialist, such as a neurologist, pain management specialist, or orthopedic doctor, to determine the most effective intervention for your problem. Depending on the underlying cause, your care team may recommend surgery or ongoing treatment.

Recommending Additional Strategies for Chronic Pain

Your family medicine doctor may recommend any or some of the following strategies to enhance the efficacy of your care plan:

  • Exercise program – Exercise can have a positive impact on both your mood and pain threshold. It is also especially beneficial if your chronic pain is caused by arthritis, as it helps increase your mobility by reducing joint inflammation and stiffness.
  • Relaxation techniques (e.g., breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, etc.) – These have been shown to help with chronic pain by stimulating the production of the body’s natural painkillers (endorphins).
  • Joining support groups- This equips you with emotional support as well as useful information about your specific condition.
  • Smoking cessation program (supervised by your doctor or another healthcare provider)- Studies show that smoking is linked to many health problems that cause chronic pain.
  • Behavior therapy/ professional talk therapy– Your family medicine doctor may recommend either or both of these modalities to help improve your coping strategies.
  • Nutritional recommendations– Your doctor may recommend a diet plan that includes anti-inflammatory foods, which can help with chronic pain.

Treatment for Chronic Pain in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, FL

At Advanced Medical Clinic, our board-certified internist Dr. Ishan Gunawardene and our board-certified family nurse practitioner Shariffa Gunawardene are best known for their commitment to delivering the best possible treatment outcomes for the gamut of conditions—including those that cause chronic pain—affecting people of all ages. We will gladly collaborate with the right specialist to help you live well with or even conquer your pain.

To arrange a consultation with one of our providers, contact us at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment by filling out this secure form.

Breaks, Strains, and Sprains: Walk-In Urgent Clinic or ER?

Strains, sprains, and fractures may occur because of incorrect form or technique, insufficient equipment, or just an accident. The question is: Should you go to a walk-in urgent care clinic or head straight to the emergency room?

Where should you seek medical attention for a sudden injury? Let’s talk about how to choose one over the other, and where you can go in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach for a handy walk-in urgent care clinic.

Walk-In Clinic vs. ER for Common Injuries

This is your rule of thumb for these injuries:

  • A sprain is a tear or pull of a ligament, which is the tissue connecting bone to bone
  • A strain is a tear or pull of a muscle or a tendon, which is the tissue connecting muscle to bone
  • A fracture is a broken bone of any kind, from mild (hairline fracture) to a shattered bone

If your pain or the symptom is mild, a walk-in clinic is your best bet. However, a total tear of a ligament, tendon, or muscle (a severe sprain or strain) or a severe fracture will instantly be debilitating, and this warrants treatment at an emergency room.

What Is a Walk-In Urgent Care Clinic?

A walk-in urgent clinic is a medical facility that provides relatively quick treatment for acute illnesses and minor injuries. They are best for handling health conditions or injuries that require prompt medical attention but are not life-threatening. If you sustain a mild sprain, strain, or fracture, you can get help from a walk-in urgent care center.

These walk-in facilities are equipped with medical and diagnostic equipment. If you suspect you may have sustained a musculoskeletal injury, the medical staff can conduct X-rays and other imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis. Once they have ascertained the damage, the medical staff may give you a splint or bandage to wear. They will also provide you with instructions on how to take care of yourself to speed up your recovery.

In addition to minor musculoskeletal injuries, a walk-in clinic can help with:

  • Colds and flu
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Minor car accident injuries or post-accident evaluations (cuts, scrapes, bruises, whiplash, or evaluation for underlying injury)
  • Diarrhea and constipation
  • Dislocations
  • Earache
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Infections
  • Insect bites
  • Mild allergic reactions
  • Minor burns
  • Splinters
  • Vomiting

When Should I Go to the ER?

On the other hand, you should head to an emergency room if you experience severe or possibly life-threatening symptoms. For example, while a walk-in urgent clinic can handle simple fractures, you would need to go to an ER for complex fractures – such as a broken bone with a visible deformity, or if the bone is pushing through the skin. This will require minor surgery to repair the bone internally, rather than just with a cast.

A hospital’s emergency room is equipped with complex equipment and high-level technology that can address these concerns. Here are situations when going to an ER is more appropriate:

  • Breathing issues
  • Choking
  • Deep or large wounds
  • Fainting
  • Head and neck injuries
  • High fever
  • Seizures
  • Serious burns
  • Severe allergic reaction
  • Severe pain anywhere in the body
  • Uncontrolled bleeding

Walk-In Clinic in Wellington

If you’re looking for a Wellington walk-in clinic, look no further than the Advanced Medical Clinic. We are a primary care clinic also providing high-quality walk-in services.

Unlike other Wellington walk-in clinics, you will receive expert service and compassionate care from primary care physicians. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call us today at (561) 434-1935 or fill out our online appointment request form. We also have an office in Royal Palm Beach for your convenience. We look forward to serving you and your family!

Family Practice vs. General Practice: What’s the difference?

With so many advanced types of doctors and medical specializations, it’s no wonder people get them confused so often. You probably know what kind of doctor you need for heart disease or joint pain, but what about those times when you don’t have an idea what’s causing your symptoms? Do you go to your family practice or general practice? What exactly is the difference between these two practices?

Let’s explore the difference between family practice and general practice, the types of services they provide, and the patients they attend to.

Family Practice vs. General Practice

Family practice is a clinic of doctors that offer primary medical care. To get family practitioner services, you register with a family practice. Your family doctor gets to know your entire medical history, as well as your family’s, and becomes your partner in maintaining overall health and wellness. Family medicine doctors provide care to all patients irrespective of their age.

General practice is similar to urgent care or a general health clinic. General practitioners offer general medical services to patients of all ages but do not typically specialize in a particular area. Besides treating your medical condition, your GP also identifies the areas that need continued care from a specialist.

Specialization and services from family practice vs. general practice

In medicine, family practice is a specialty field. Your family medicine doctor receives specialized training in diagnosing and treating the entire range of medical conditions that affect all family members. Since family medicine doctors focus on the whole family’s needs, they often receive training in pediatrics, geriatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology. They offer a wide range of urgent care, sick, and preventive care services, including:

  • Asthma and allergies
  • Chronic conditions, including high blood pressure, bronchitis, and diabetes (type 1 and type 2)
  • Physicals for school, sports, camp, employment, and insurance
  • Coughs, colds, and flu treatment
  • DOT physicals
  • Tonsillitis
  • Strep throat
  • Weight management
  • Health-risk assessments
  • Family planning
  • Immunizations
  • Whiplash and other auto-accident/workers’ comp trauma
  • Women’s health, including gynecologic exams and preventive care

A general practitioner is a doctor who works in clinical settings such as urgent care centers, hospitals, and clinics.  They diagnose and treat a wide range of medical issues. General practitioners do not specialize in any particular area. Your general practitioner will keep your clinical record, which helps him refer you to a specialist. Your general practitioner can also perform minor suturing and wound treatment.

General practice clinics have labs and diagnostic machines to perform medical testing to further diagnose certain conditions. Their main goal is to treat you and keep you out of the hospital.

Types of patients

A family practice offers care for your entire family unit: male and female adults and children of all ages. Family doctors offer care to patients of all ages throughout their lives. They offer care to multiple generations at the same time.

A general practitioner also sees patients of all ages but for milder diseases, such as the common cold, affecting the entire body. Once treated, you are less likely to visit a general practitioner over and over again.

Wellington Family Practice, FL

Seeing a family doctor frequently is linked to better health outcomes. If you don’t have one yet, Wellington Family practice is accepting patients. At Advanced Medical Clinic, our board-certified family practitioners are dedicated to delivering compassionate, patient-oriented, and evidence-based care to you and your family.

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.

Can Whiplash Cause Depression?

Whiplash is a type of neck injury that occurs after a fast-paced vehicular or sports accident. The sudden, forceful motion during the accident can cause the neck to overextend, causing the vertebrae to become misaligned. Pain from whiplash can be physical and psychological.

You may not automatically connect whiplash with depression, but there is a connection between the two. Depression is common in those with whiplash-associated disorders. Let’s discuss how whiplash could cause depression. 

Why Whiplash Could Lead to Depression

Long-Term Whiplash Injury Complications

Alignment issues in the cervical region, in addition to the co-occurring soft tissue injuries, can impede normal blood flow to and from the brain, causing other medical conditions such as chronic pain, which is also linked to depression. For some, the problems that arise from whiplash can be long-term. Pain, stiffness, migraines, dizziness, and ringing in the ears are just a few examples of long-term effects associated with whiplash.

The long-term effects of whiplash can include depression. Without getting back to normal function, the patient can be psychologically impacted. This is compounded by thoughts of the accident, such as feeling angry, scared, or anxious.

Recovery

Another cause of depression due to whiplash may be the recovery period required. Soft tissue injuries can take up to 10 weeks to heal. For some, whiplash symptoms can persist even at the six-month mark or longer, which means the condition is chronic. Patients with chronic whiplash tend to have higher incidences of and increased levels of anxiety and depression.

Recovery from whiplash takes time, and during this period, the patient is limited in the activities they can engage in. For instance, sports and exercise are going to be off-limits, as the patient will need to wear a collar or neck brace to prevent movement and to support the neck as it heals.

Don’t Want to Become Depressed After Sustaining a Whiplash Injury?

In order to get the best possible outcome from whiplash treatment, it is important to seek treatment immediately after being involved in a sport or vehicular accident. Moreover, entrust your care in the hands of experts in whiplash treatment. Whiplash is usually treated using a combination of physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, various pain management techniques, and orthopedic care.

Whiplash Treatment in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington, FL

At Advanced Medical, our primary care doctors provide treatment for patients with whiplash. We are committed to your recovery. We will make sure our treatment plan is highly individualized for effectiveness and to reduce complication risk. We also coordinate care with other specialists, such as chiropractors and physical therapists, to give you the best chance at a fast recovery. We also treat patients with chronic pain and other long-term complications from whiplash.

If not treated in a timely manner, whiplash can cause serious health conditions. To schedule an appointment for whiplash treatment, call us today at (561) 434-1935 or use our appointment request form. We look forward to helping you get back to your life, pain-free.

How Walking Can Prevent Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body’s inability to produce any or enough insulin causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy, and those with diabetes have problems metabolizing it.

When someone is diabetic, the pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, does not produce enough insulin, which is what helps glucose get into the cells of our bodies. Diabetes can also interfere with your body’s ability to fight infection. Therefore, exercise is crucial in helping keep your immune system healthy and help prevent other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and strokes.

If you have diabetes or have a family history of diabetes, and would like to prevent it from developing, physical activity is crucial. It is also important to maintain your blood glucose levels with a healthy meal plan and lifestyle. Exercising has many benefits, which include:

  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Controls weight and keeps weight down
  • Increased level of good cholesterol (HDL)
  • Leaner, stronger muscles
  • Stronger bones
  • More energy
  • Improved mood
  • Better sleep
  • Stress management

Walking is the best medicine and form of exercise to prevent diabetes. Research has shown that walking can dramatically boost energy levels, burn fat, and protects your heart. In other words, if you have high blood sugar, or if you have been diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, walking can be a lifesaver. An active lifestyle can help perpetuate a total body wellness, where more of a focus goes towards diet and exercise.

Obesity is an epidemic that affects more than 35 percent of people in the United States, and is one of the biggest factors leading to type-2 diabetes. Walking shrinks your abdominal fat, reducing your risk of diabetes. Excess fat around your abdomen causes inflammation in cells, making them even more resistant to insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar; this increases your odds of developing the disease. According to everydayhealth.com, walking for 30 minutes a day, can reduce your risk of diabetes by 30 percent.

To learn more about how regular exercise and activity can help prevent diabetes, call Advanced Medical PA at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment, or request one online.