family medicine provider

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.

Heart Disease and Heart Attacks: What’s the Connection?

The connection between heart disease and heart attacks is clear.

Heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, encompasses many different conditions that can lead to a heart attack. Most types of heart disease involve atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis: Most Common Cause of Heart Attacks

Atherosclerosis is characterized by plaque buildup in the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart and the rest of the body. When plaque builds up on artery walls, it narrows the passageway and restricts blood flow.

Plaque deposits – made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances in the blood – build up over time and harden, damaging the smooth, thin layer of tissue within arteries that allows for the easy flow of blood. And that’s not all. If some of the plaque breaks off, blood clots can form and stop blood flow.

Atherosclerosis can affect any of the arteries that carry oxygenated blood throughout the body. For example, when blood flow is blocked within the coronary arteries (the arteries taking oxygenated blood to the heart), it can result in a heart attack. When it occurs in arteries taking blood to the brain, it can result in stroke.

Heart Diseases That Also Can Lead to Heart Attacks

While atherosclerosis is common among the heart diseases that can lead to heart attacks – there are other types of heart diseases that can result in heart attacks, too. These include:

  • Arrhythmia is a condition when the heart beats abnormally, either too fast or too slow, depending on the type of arrhythmia. When the heart beats too fast (more than 100 beats per minute), it’s called tachycardia. Bradycardia is when the heart beats too slow (less than 60 beats per minute). Either is dangerous for the heart and may cause discomfort because your heart isn’t circulating enough blood or is moving it through the body too quickly.
  • Damaged heart valves are another form of heart disease. Heart valves open and close for allowing for blood flow. There are four valves in the human heart: tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic; each has a vital function and must open and close properly without leaking. When they don’t open wide enough, blood leaks can occur. A damaged heart valve may be incurred due to poor choices like smoking, or it might be a genetic defect. Whatever the cause, damaged valves are bad news for the heart, such as in these cases:
  •  Aortic stenosis is characterized by a narrowing of the valve, which prevents proper opening, reducing blood flow from the heart.
  •  Aortic regurgitation is characterized by leaking that’s caused when the aortic valve doesn’t close tightly enough.

Many types of heart disease can be prevented – sometimes with just a lifestyle change if the heart or blood vessels are not too far damaged. Eating foods that are low in cholesterol and eliminating bad habits like smoking will help. Your family medicine provider can help determine the current condition of your cardiovascular system and may recommend particular treatments with a specialist if needed.

In addition, a regular checkup can guard against heart disease and help prevent heart attacks. Advanced Medical Clinic will monitor your heart to ensure it’s healthy. And if it’s not, we will help you to get and stay on track to good heart health. Call (561) 434-1935 today to make your appointment or use our convenient online appointment request form.

What is Internal Medicine?

There is often confusion in understanding the difference between internal medicine, family medicine and primary care. On the face of it, they seem to be one and the same. People are not all one-size-fits-all, and neither are their needs. Nor are providers. People have unique needs and should choose a family medicine provider that best fits those needs.

Primary care is a role and not a specialty. Providers trained in different specialties can offer primary care services: pediatrics, women’s health, or geriatrics, for example.

Internists or internal medicine providers too are qualified primary care providers. But they only focus on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of adults, 18 years or older across the spectrum of health and illness. Some focus their practice on hospital medicine, medical education and/or research. Family medicine providers, on the other hand, treat adults and children.

The goal of the internal medicine family medicine provider is health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment of both acute and chronic illness.

Patient-centric Care

The central person in internal medicine is the adult patient as a whole individual. They work to establish and maintain a trusting relationship to create the best plan for your health. This includes age-appropriate health maintenance through routine monitoring, immunizations, and screenings.

They provide counseling, patient education, and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. They promote healthy lifestyle choices. The internist is the focal point of a patient’s health care needs. They offer continuity of care that extends from their office to specialists, to hospitalizations, and anywhere the patient requires medical attention.

Internists are skilled diagnosticians, adept at figuring out complex symptoms to identify both common and rare illnesses. They are often known as the “family medicine provider’s provider” or “medical detectives.”

General Internal Medicine

Many internists begin practicing upon completing basic internal medicine training.  They practice “general internal medicine” and are referred to as “general internists.” They handle the broad and comprehensive spectrum of illnesses that affect adults. They provide primary care to patients over the duration of their adult lives.

General internists practice in different locations. Some, known as “hospitalists,” may focus on caring for patients in the hospital setting. Others combine both outpatient and inpatient care. General internists may practice in settings such as rehabilitation centers and long-term care facilities as well.

Internal Medicine Subspecialties

Internists may take additional training to “subspecialize” in a more focused area of internal medicine. This training, known as a “fellowship” usually requires several additional years beyond the basic three-year internal medicine residency.

Providers with additional training in a particular area of internal medicine are frequently referred to by their area of subspecialty –cardiologists, pulmonologists etc. They have all undergone the same basic internal medicine training and are also considered as “internists.”

The subspecialty training in a particular medical area is comprehensive and qualifies them to manage complex medical issues and perform advanced procedures.

Conditions Treated by Internal Medicine Providers

Internal medicine practitioners focus on the whole body. They treat both internal and external conditions. They diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions. A family medicine provider of internal medicine may be employed by a hospital or work out of his own clinic or office.

Subspecialties of internal medicine include: 

Arthritis and joint conditions

Hepatitis

Allergy and immunology

Cardiology (heart diseases)

Endocrinology (hormone disorders)

Hematology (blood disorders)

Infectious diseases

Gastroenterology (diseases of the digestive system)

Nephrology (kidney diseases)

Oncology (cancer)

Pulmonology (lung disorders)

Rheumatology (arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders)

Hypertension

Diabetes

ENT – ear, nose and throat

Neurological conditions

Sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction (ED)

Weight loss and management

This exhaustive area of medicine basically includes any illness that affects adults.

The role of the internist is to manage your overall health, promote a healthy lifestyle and recommend steps to prevent illness, and treat illnesses. Your internist is your “go-to” when you have health concerns because he knows you best. He can provide most of your medical needs.

At Advanced Medical, PA, we pride ourselves in providing quality healthcare in both internal medicine and primary care. To learn more about us and the services we offer, or to schedule a visit, call us at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment.

How Your Family Medicine Provider Can Help You Manage Your Pain

Chronic pain can wear you down and further degrade your physical and mental health. Your family medicine provider can work with you to reduce your pain and improve your ability to carry on with your everyday activities.

Approaches to pain management have evolved over the last decade. Medical professionals increasingly put you at the center of all aspects of pain management, and that is a good thing. A common misconception is that pain medications such as opioids are the go to for pain management, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. There are many ways your provider can help you manage your pain.

Encourage Communication

Your family medicine provider can help you best by getting you actively involved in your treatment. By communicating openly with you, your provider will involve you with decision-making and problem solving. Living better with chronic pain is the goal (after all attempts to correct the painful condition, of course), and this requires excellent communication between you and your family medicine provider, and your medical team. Communicative and caring family medicine providers can empower you as a person, not just as a patient.

Listen and explain

Your provider will ask you about how you experience your pain, and specifically, to describe your pain in everyday language. Because there are no specialized tests to assess where and how you feel pain, you are the primary source of information. Don’t hold back. You are your best advocate. Everybody has a different pain threshold, so it’s important to get a unique understanding of each patient.

In turn, your family medicine provider can help you understand that even if your chronic pain has no specific cure, there are ways to manage it. Your family medicine provider can provide you with resources such as easy to read information, referrals for physical therapists, and other therapeutic experts.

Provide options

You family medicine provider will talk with you about these and other options for your pain management plan:

  • Medications including analgesics such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can be of help with mild to moderate pain.
  • Stronger pain medications, including opioids, provide important relief for patients who have strong or severe pain. You family medicine provider will work with you to ensure that you receive the appropriate and safe type of medication.
  • Pain management procedures such as electrical stimulation, acupuncture, nerve blocks, or surgery may be appropriate if pain is not controlled by medications.
  • Non-invasive treatments such as biofeedback, behavior modification, and psychotherapy are all important tools.
  • Alternative or complementary medicine (CAM) include treatments such as acupuncture, massage, Tai Chi, mindful meditation, and relaxation techniques, all of which have been shown to be helpful.

Advise and support

Your family medicine provider can suggest healthy lifestyle changes that will help you better manage your pain and improve your quality of life. Some suggestions your provider may make include:

Exercise: Chronic pain caused by certain conditions such as arthritis shouldn’t stop you from engaging in physical activity. Natural painkillers or endorphins released by your body after exercise help reduce perception of pain, and exercise has been shown to boost mood. Of course, first discuss any exercise plans with your provider to make sure they are safe and appropriate for you.

Diet: Eating regular meals rich in antioxidants and nutrients will help your body best deal with pain and stress. Eating fresh vegetables, fruits, and lean protein ensures you have the best fuel to repair and restore your health.

Reach out to us with any questions you have about how to manage your pain. call Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment, or you can request an appointment online.

Why Staying with The Same Family Medicine Provider Is Beneficial

Family medicine providers want to protect their one-one-one relationship with their patients. Therefore, having a good primary care provider (PCP) or family medicine care provider that has provided care for you anywhere from infancy to adulthood, is beneficial and important for many reasons. A family medicine provider who has taken care of you and sometimes other members of your family, will know you and your medical history inside and out.

For example, some health insurance allows the policy holder to go directly to a specialist when they feel the necessity to do so. However, your primary care provider has a unique knowledge of your health history, and can often consult with you about what type of specialist you may need to go to, or that you might not need to at all. They make it their goal to be the steward of your good health throughout the years, so having a little trust in their expertise can go a long way.

Staying with the same provider can ensure that you have the best care possible – they listen to your needs, and are able to give you their time and expertise every time they treat you. Since that relationship is developed over time, good quality service and care is guaranteed from a family medicine provider that has known you for a long period of time. Not everyone has the luck and luxury of having access to good healthcare, which is sad, but the rarity of it is a reality. As good care, and a good family medicine provider can often be taken for granted, when a place of good care and compassion is found, count that as a major blessing and stay put. Being with the same provider and practice as you grow up throughout the stages of life can be a very comforting thing when times get tough.

At Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida, our continuity of care sets us apart from other practices. We ensure your treatment remains consistent and coordinated, so our patients will avoid unnecessary hospitalizations. Our practice understands the importance of quality of life and the meaning of true family health. By providing evidence-based medical care, our patients who stay with us long-term benefit by having a partner whose goal is to be a champion for their good health.

If it becomes necessary, we will refer you to the best family medicine providers or specialist that is fit to take care of your needs. To learn more about why staying with us is beneficial, call Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment, or you can request an appointment online.

Types of Primary Care Providers

So, a primary care provider is not just a title, or a box to check off on paperwork. It is the designation you give to someone with whom you have a very personal relationship. The role of the primary care provider is to oversee your overall health, to guide you to a healthy lifestyle, to recommend things that will prevent illness, to anticipate your needs and help you understand what to expect, and to treat you when you do become ill. Your primary care provider should be your “go-to” when you have health concerns, because they know you best. They can provide most of your medical care, and they will refer you to the appropriate specialist when necessary.

In choosing a primary care provider, it is important to remember that people are not all one-size-fits-all. Neither are family medicine providers. You have unique needs and should choose a primary care provider that best fits those needs. Primary care is a role, and not a specialty. Family medicine providers have a number of different specialties, each with advanced training in the care of a specific population, can provide primary care services. In fact, internists, family practice providers, pediatricians, geriatricians, and women’s health providers are all qualified primary care providers.

Internal Medicine Providers

Family medicine providers who specialize in internal medicine, also known as internists, are experts in the care of adult patients. Their focus is not only on health promotion and disease prevention, but also in the diagnosis and treatment of both acute and chronic illness. Internists are extremely good diagnosticians, often referred to as the detectives of medicine, which is why they are experts at treating patients who are experiencing health challenges. However, their goal is to keep you as healthy as possible, which is why they will also make sure you are getting your scheduled immunizations, are up-to-date on appropriate screening like mammograms and cholesterol levels, and understand the lifestyle choices that promote good health.

Family Practice Providers

Family practice providers have specialized training in the care of individuals and families throughout the lifespan. This means that they are qualified to care for infants, children, adolescents, adults, pregnant women, and older adults. The focus of family medicine is very comprehensive, treating the whole individual, with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention. However, like internists, they will also treat both acute and chronic illnesses for their patients.

Pediatricians 

While some people prefer to have one family medicine provider for the entire family, others feel more comfortable having a family medicine provider who specializes in the care of children as the primary care provider for their kids. Pediatricians are board certified in the care of infants, children, and adolescents, ranging from newborns to the age of 21. Childhood is a time of rapid growth and development. Important developmental landmarks mark each stage of life, and it is important to not only be observant that they are being met, but to also foster activities and behaviors that help children learn and grow. Additionally, a lifetime of healthy habits, including staying current on immunizations, having regular checkups, eating healthy diets, and getting adequate exercise can be fostered throughout childhood. A pediatrician is not only an ideal source of guidance and information, but is also highly qualified to treat illnesses associated with childhood.

Geriatricians

Just like children, older adults are faced with challenges unique to their age. Not only is chronic illness more common in adults 65 and older, but also, additional syndromes such as falls, memory loss, and hearing loss become more prevalent. As we advance in age to 65, 75, 85 years, or older, it becomes increasingly beneficial to be under the care of a provider with specialized knowledge of the care of older adults. A geriatrician is a provider that has such training. They are board certified in caring for adults 65 and older, and like other primary care providers, will address health promotion, disease prevention, and management of illnesses, recognizing the unique and multidimensional needs of their patients.

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) Providers

Women have very unique healthcare needs throughout their lifespan. As such, some women, especially during their childbearing years, choose to elect their OB/GYN provider as their primary care provider. Women who are pregnant, or who are trying to get pregnant, have very specific concerns, including nutrition, exercise, and the safe use of medications. Additionally, hormone irregularities as well as illnesses associated with the reproductive tract can have a significant impact on a woman’s overall health. For these reasons, family medicine providers that have specialized knowledge of women’s health issues, such as OB/BYN providers, are a reasonable choice for primary care.

At Advanced Medical PA, we are concerned about the health and wellbeing of you and your entire family, and we are committed to helping you maintain good health. If you have questions about primary care or the services we provide, please call us at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment, or request one online.

The Difference between an Internist and a Primary Care Provider

To understand the difference between an internist and a primary care provider, it is important to realize that one is a specialty, and the other is a role. An internist is a provider who specializes in internal medicine, and is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of adult diseases. While an internist can function as a primary care provider, he or she may also focus their practice on hospital medicine, medical education and/or research. On the other hand, a primary care provider may be an internist, a pediatrician, a geriatrician, a family practitioner, a gynecologist or an obstetrician, because primary care involves the practice of promoting overall health for the entire individual within the specific population (geriatrics, pediatrics, etc.) of the provider’s specialty. Let’s first look at the specialty of internal medicine, and then examine how these and other providers practice in the primary care environment.

The Internist: The Internal Medicine Specialist 

Internists are providers who have specialized training in the diagnosis and management of illness in adult patients. This means that they are capable of helping their patients stay healthy and prevent illness, but are also able to diagnose and treat both acute and chronic illnesses. Just a few of the many illnesses an internist would treat include hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney disease, asthma, heart disease, arthritis, bronchitis, ear infections, back pain and the common cold. The list is exhaustive but basically includes any illness than can affect adults.

Internists are particularly skilled in reviewing the symptoms of patients with complex problems, performing physical exams, ordering diagnostic tests, and using this information to identify both common and rare illnesses. They are basically the detectives and problem-solvers of adult medicine; and they are also experts in treating extremely ill adults.  This is why internists are found in a variety of roles and settings. You may have an internist as your primary care provider, treating you in an office or clinic. However, some internists, known as hospitalists, care for acutely ill patients in the hospital. And some do both. Because of their specialized education and training, internists are exceptionally suited for treating patients with multiple medical problems, understanding how these illnesses, their medications, and their treatments interact, and adjusting the plan of care to best suit the individual patient’s needs.

The Primary Care Provider

A primary care provider (PCP) is basically the provider that you’ve always known as “your family medicine provider.” They are responsible for the ongoing health and wellbeing of their patients, by promoting healthy behavior, helping you prevent illness, and quickly diagnosing and treating any new or potential health problems. He or she is the family medicine provider who knows you the best and who you can turn to for any health concerns. The primary care provider is usually your first contact with the health care system, and they are skilled in providing a comprehensive assessment of health care needs, as well as continuous monitoring of chronic illnesses and treatment of new problems. They will also know when a referral to another specialist is warranted.

The central person in primary care is the patient, and the primary care family medicine provider will focus on you as a whole individual. They work hard to maintain a trusting relationship with their patients and will partner with you to come up with the best plan for your good health. This plan will usually include age-appropriate health maintenance, routine monitoring, immunizations, counseling, patient education, and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. To realize the real benefit of having a primary care provider, you should look at them as your focal point of all your health care needs. By turning to your primary care provider first, you will make sure that the family medicine provider treating you knows and understands you; and you will avoid unnecessary tests or trips to specialists.

The role of primary care provider is performed by more than one type of provider, and each provides care to the population that they have specialized in. Internists are experts in the care of adults, or those 18 years and older. Geriatricians, on the other hand, are internists that have additional training for the medical needs of adults 65 and older. Family Practice providers are qualified to provide primary care for patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, while pediatricians see patients from infancy through adolescence. Specialists in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) can provide primary care for women, including reproductive health and family planning. While we often think of primary care practices as those in outpatient offices and clinic, in reality, primary care can be performed in a number of settings. This includes long-term care settings such as nursing homes, home care, day-care and even in the hospital. Whichever the setting, the primary care provider carefully tailors the healthcare plan to meet the individual needs of each patient, with the goal of helping their patients achieve their highest level of health.

When your family medicine provider knows and understands you, and is carefully monitoring your health needs, the results are bound to be of benefit to you. With the focus on prevention and early action when an illness arises, the primary care provider can often help patients avoid severe illness, the need for specialists and hospitalizations. Experts agree that primary care increases everyone’s access to healthcare and improves the quality of health care. On a more personal level, patients and providers are given the opportunity to form trusting and lasting relationships.

We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about internal medicine or primary care. At Advanced Medical, PA, we pride ourselves in providing quality health care in both internal medicine and primary care. To learn more about us and the services we offer, or to schedule a visit, call us at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment, or request one online.

Getting the Most From Your Primary Care Visit

Have you ever gotten home from a family medicine provider visit and realized you forgot to mention something you wanted to talk about? Or maybe you arrived at your visit without important information, like the name of the new medication a specialist prescribed. Your next appointment may not be scheduled for months, and it’s often difficult to make time for an extra trip. Yet, good communication is essential for insuring that all your health needs are met. So, whether you are seeing a new provider, or returning for a follow-up appointment, here are some tips to make sure you get the most from all of your primary care visits.

Go Prepared

The time to organize your thoughts is before you get to your appointment. Preparing ahead of time will help you maximize the time you spend with your provider. Write your questions down and bring the list to the appointment with you. If you’ve researched a new treatment or have questions about a specific illness, don’t bring pages of literature with you. There’s just not enough time to review this during an office visit. It’s better to add these concerns to your list of questions so that you don’t get bogged down on one topic and miss out on addressing other health issues.

To create the best plan to meet your healthcare needs, it is important that you supply all pertinent information. If you have orders for blood work, X-rays, or other diagnostic tests, make sure you complete them in enough time that the results have been sent to the office. Also, if you had any “homework,” such as keeping a log of your blood sugars or blood pressures, make sure you bring it to the visit. And, if you have seen a specialist, have been to an emergency room, or have been in the hospital, it is best if you arrange for your records to be forwarded to your primary care office before your scheduled visit. This gives your family medicine provider the time to review the information before you arrive, leaving more time for discussion and your physical exam.

If you are seeing a new primary care provider for the first time, it is even more important that you arrive with updated and accurate information. Try to have your medical records, including all your past immunizations, forwarded before your visit. It is also a good idea for you to write out your medical history, chronologically, in your own words and bring it to the visit. Additionally, you should include a history of any illnesses your siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents had and the age that these illnesses occurred. This overview will give your new provider an even better picture of your healthcare needs.

All of Your Medications Matter

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is that your family medicine provider know ALL the medications you are taking. Five to 17% of all hospitalizations of older patients are the result of problems with medications; and drug interactions cost billions of dollars while increasing the average hospital stay by 7 days. Bring a complete list of all the medications, over the counter drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements you are taking. It is also important to list the dosage and how many times per day you are taking them. Try to include why you are taking these medications and who originally prescribed them if you can. If you are unsure, or have any questions about what information is important regarding your medications, just put everything you are taking on a regular basis into a shopping bag, and bring it to the appointment. Updating your medication record is an important part of every visit, so make a routine of bringing updates regularly.

Use your Time Wisely

It is important to have a good relationship with your provider and he or she is genuinely interested in you, but be realistic about what can be accomplished in one visit. If you have a number of health issues, it is important to organize your thoughts and address all of your concerns. While telling stories may be entertaining, it may not be productive and could take time away from discussing important issues. So, budget your time and try to stay focused on your health. This is also not the time to paint rosy pictures or avoid embarrassing topics. Honesty and full disclosure will go a long way to help you achieve health. Use your primary care visit to its fullest potential by trusting your provider with sincere information.

Don’t Go It Alone

Sometimes you might have a lot to discuss at your visit, or you might be worried about the results of your tests. Not everyone is comfortable with medical information, so you may have trouble remembering everything your family medicine provider tells you during a visit. In these situations, you might bring a trusted friend, spouse or family member with you. They can offer you support, take notes for you, help you remember to cover all your concerns, or maybe even think of questions that you don’t.

Leave with a Plan

So now you have gone prepared, brought all your important information with you, and reviewed all of your concerns and test results. Most likely, there will be recommendations to be followed, prescriptions to be filled, or follow up testing to be done. Often, you will be advised to return within a certain amount of time. Make sure you understand all that is expected of you. Your health depends on it! So, ask questions, take notes, and clarify what you may not understand. Make sure you know the plan, agree with the plan, and are capable of carrying out all that is recommended. By arriving prepared, making the most of your time during the visit, and leaving with a good understanding of a realistic plan, you will have made the most of your primary care visit, and will be well on your way to good health.

At Advanced Medical PA, we look forward to providing you with all your primary care needs. To learn more about us and the services we offer, or to schedule your primary care visit, call us at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment, or request one online.

Why Eating Fresh Fruit Can Lower Your Risk for Diabetes

Eating fresh fruit is one of the great and delicious ways to eat healthy and still pack more flavor into your diet. Not only is fresh fruit a wonderful way to help balance your diet and lose weight, it may help you avoid developing type II diabetes. Medical researchers have known for some time that the risks for developing diabetes are heavily tied to daily lifestyle habits.

Studies, for instance, have consistently shown that a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and heart healthy fats can significantly lower your risk for developing adult onset, or type II diabetes ­– especially when combined with other healthy choices such as walking or other regular exercise.

Healthy Eating Can Lower Your Risk for Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Certain Cancers

Fresh whole fruits may also boost your immune system and lower your risks of both heart disease and even certain cancers. As with any diet, it is important to remember to add a wide variety of natural, healthy food sources rather than simply eating just one or two kinds of fruit. You should also talk to your family medicine provider to create a comprehensive diet and exercise program that works with your body to help you sustain a healthier lifestyle.

Keep in mind that the best diets reduce or eliminate poor food choices such as saturated fats, empty calories, high fructose corn syrup and sugar, adding heart and blood sugar healthy foods like fresh fruit and vegetables, and lean protein sources instead.

Surprisingly, fresh fruits are not the only thing that may help prevent diabetes. Peanut butter has a high fiber content, and monosaturated (good) fats that people enjoy eating. Be sure to carefully note portion sizes though, as it can ratchet up your calories. And even with fresh fruit, while overwhelmingly healthy, too much of a good thing can cause unwanted weight gain.

Fresh fruits should be eaten as whole as possible, removing only what is inedible such as the outer peel or rind. The skins of some fruits like apples also contain additional vitamins and trace minerals. Just be sure to thoroughly wash them to remove any pesticide residue that may have been used in growing them, or look for organic varieties instead.

Be aware that fruit juices or processed fruit may have added sugars, or have stripped away healthy fiber, which can cause a rise in blood sugar levels (fiber slows down absorption and improves blood sugar levels). A diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits, nuts, berries and vegetables is a tasty way to reduce your chances of developing diabetes.

If you are concerned about how your diet is affecting your chances of developing diabetes, Dr. Ishan Gunawardene of Advanced Medical Clinic can answer all of your questions. To make an appointment with us in Wellington or Royal Palm Beach, request an appointment online or call (561) 434-1935 today.