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How To Find the Best Primary Care Physician for Your Health

November 18, 2022

If you’re looking for a new primary care physician, it’s important to do your research to find the best doctor for you. There are many factors to consider, such as location, hours of operation, and insurance coverage. You also want to find a doctor who is qualified and experienced in treating your specific health concerns. Use these tips to help you find the right primary care doctor for you and your family.

Decide What’s Important to You in a Primary Care Physician

When it comes to healthcare, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person may not be the best option for another. That’s why it’s so important to find a primary care physician who is a good fit for you. The first step is to decide what’s important to you as a doctor.

Do you prefer a male or female physician? Do you want someone who is available 24/7 or who has evening and weekend hours? How important is it to you that your doctor has experience with your specific condition? Once you have a clear idea of your priorities, you can start your search for the perfect primary care physician. With a little time and effort, you’re sure to find a doctor who meets your needs and provides the quality care you deserve.

Ask Your Friends and Family for Recommendations

Recommendations from friends and family are a great way to find a good physician. Ask around and see if anyone you know has a doctor they love. If you have a specific health concern, see if anyone you know has a doctor they would recommend for that condition. You can also ask your friends and family if they know of any doctors who have a good bedside manner or who are especially helpful and caring.

Once you have some recommendations, do some research on the doctors to make sure they are board certified and have experience treating patients with your particular condition.

Check Out Online Reviews

With the advent of the internet, it’s easier than ever to find reviews for just about anything – including primary care physicians. When you’re looking for a new doctor, it can be helpful to read online reviews to get an idea of what other patients have experienced. Look for doctors with high ratings and positive reviews. Checking out reviews can help you find a primary care physician who is right for you.

Schedule a Consultation with the Physicians You’re Considering

It is important to schedule a consultation before making your final decision. This will give you a chance to meet the doctor and ask any questions you may have about their practice. It’s also a good opportunity to get a feel for their bedside manner and to see if they’re someone you would feel comfortable working with on a long-term basis.

Once you’ve met with all of the doctors you’re considering, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

If you’re looking for a top-tier physician to manage your health, Advanced Medical Clinic is here to help. Our team of experts will work with you to find the perfect fit for all your needs – and we’ll be with you every step of the way. Don’t wait – contact us today at (561) 434-1935!

Filed Under: Primary Care Tagged With: family doctor near me, family medicine, primary care doctor in Wellington FL, primary care doctor near me, primary care near me, primary care physician near me, primary care Wellington FL

Why Do You Need to Have a Family Medicine Doctor?

August 5, 2022

It would help if you saw a specialist when an issue particular to your body’s organ or system arises. However, what about the times when you aren’t aware of what’s going on with your body that’s causing your symptoms; you want to take care of the overall health of not only yourself but also your family; you need advice specific to your situation? A family medicine doctor is a medical professional who can be an answer for most such healthcare situations for you and your family. A family medicine doctor is trained to provide all sorts of care to patients of all ages for long-term – medical emergencies are an exception.

So, there is no reason not to have a family doctor caring for you (even if you don’t have a family), but there are many reasons why you should have one. Let’s talk about those reasons.

Reason #1 All Primary Care Needs of You and Your Family Can Be Addressed Under One Roof

As a primary care doctor, a family doctor can offer primary health care – providing treatment for common health complaints, the management of long-term illnesses such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes, and prevention of future illnesses through advice, screening programs, and immunization – to people of all ages. A family doctor can also perform minor surgical procedures such as draining abscesses.

Since they master specific skill sets such as women’s health, geriatrics, obstetrics, and more, during their training, their office is the first stop of patients of all ages – from newborns to senior citizens – for primary health care needs. They also keep track of your family life cycle to provide you with comprehensive care.

Reason #2 You Can Connect with Specialists Timely and Easily

Your family doctor can indeed do a lot for you, but they can’t do everything, especially if your problem is related to a particular body system or organ, let’s say the heart. Only a specialist of an organ or system can treat such problems. Finding a trustworthy specialist within your budget and reliable can be stressful for you and your family.

Having a family doctor means your problem will be detected early, and you don’t have to be worried about finding a specialist. Family doctors are likely to have a relationship with many specialists and can refer you to the one you can be comfortable with. Moreover, they can also help you set an appointment with your new doctor without wasting much time.

Reason #3 You Can Get Better Health and Save Money at The Same Time

There’s no secret that healthcare can be pretty expensive, as is evident from the fact that even a short trip to the emergency room can cost you and your family a great deal of money. However, there is ample evidence that having a family doctor can significantly reduce healthcare spending.

A family doctor does so(reduce your healthcare spending)by keeping track of your health and preventing serious issues from developing, which could otherwise make you spend an extreme amount at the hospital or emergency room.

Family Medicine Doctor Near Me in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

At Advanced Medical Clinic, our nurse practitioner Shariffa Gunawardene provides comprehensive, evidence-based, and personalized care that you need to return your family to health and keep you well. Because of her comprehensive and compassionate care, you or your family members with acute or chronic illnesses can live healthier lives. To make an accurate diagnosis, we also offer on-site conveniences, including pulmonary function tests, EKG, echocardiography, and blood draw.

If you have a question about our services or would like to schedule an appointment with our doctors, call our staff today at  (561) 434-1935 or complete our secure online appointment request form now. We look forward to serving you!

 

Filed Under: Family Doctor, Family Medicine Tagged With: Advanced Medical Clinic, Family Doctor for Arthritis in Wellington FL, Family Doctor for Arthritis near me, Family Doctor in Wellington, family doctor near me, family medicine, FL, primary care near me, primary care physician near me, primary care Wellington FL, walk-in clinic near me

A Checklist in Choosing the Best Family Doctor

May 13, 2022

It’s important to find the best doctor, whether for routine checkups or a major surgery. By doing so, you can be confident in the care you receive every time.

After all, your health largely hinges on the treatment they recommend and administer for you. Let’s talk about the key factors in finding an excellent family physician, and where you can go in Wellington for top-notch medical care for you and your family.

How to Find an Outstanding Family Physician

Here’s what you should consider when choosing the best family doctor:

Get Referrals and Recommendations

Your family doctor will be your primary care physician, so you can start looking by asking the people you trust. Talk to your family, friends, or colleagues about family doctors they recommend. You can even ask other doctors you’ve worked with for referrals, such as your endocrinologist or your eye doctor.

You can go online and read the doctor’s patient reviews posted on various websites to get a feel for what they’re like. There may also be testimonials from some of their current and previous patients.

Consider Your Insurance

Once you have names of doctors to consider, check your health insurance coverage to make sure they’re covered by your insurance policy. If you’re interested in a doctor who is not on your list, then call that doctor’s office and ask them whether they do indeed accept your particular insurance – and be sure to write down the name of the staff person you spoke to.

Check the Family Doctor’s Qualifications and Experience

When looking for a healthcare provider, the lead doctor in the practice should ideally be board-certified. Board certification means that a doctor is staying on top of the latest in medical technologies and methods, and this involves continuing education at medical conferences and seminars.

Being board-certified indicates career-long learning, so you can rest assured that the doctor continues to hone their skills. You do not want a family physician who continues to perform the same tests and methods they learned in medical school if physicians today are actually using much more advanced methods and technologies for more accurate and beneficial results.

Experience is also crucial. Your ideal family doctor will have spent much of their time caring for patients with similar conditions as you have, because family physicians by nature deal with patients who have myriad health conditions on a constant basis.

If you want to be sure, call the practice and ask them whether the doctor handles patients who have chronic conditions like yours – whether it be arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and so on. Do not hesitate to make that call.

Think About Convenience

Choose a healthcare provider who has a convenient location and has office hours that work with your schedule. You do not want inconvenience to become an excuse not to go to the doctor for a checkup.

Family Doctor for Arthritis in Wellington, FL

It’s important to find a primary care provider in whom you can place your full confidence, especially if you have a chronic condition such as arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, a neurological condition, or anything else. If you’re looking for a trusted family doctor whose office is conveniently located in Wellington, look no further than Advanced Medical Clinic. We have a team of highly experienced, board-certified providers who can give you the comprehensive care you deserve.

Advanced Medical Clinic is located in the Palomino Park medical complex on the west side of Highway 441, between Forest Hill Boulevard and Lake Worth Road in Wellington. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call our friendly staff today at (561) 434-1935 or complete our secure online appointment request form now. We look forward to serving you!

Filed Under: Family Doctor Tagged With: Advanced Medical Clinic, Family Doctor for Arthritis in Wellington FL, Family Doctor for Arthritis near me, Family Doctor in Wellington, family doctor near me, family medicine, FL, primary care near me, primary care physician near me, primary care Wellington FL, walk-in clinic near me

What Is Unique About Family Medicine?

January 28, 2022

There are so many doctors today who specialize in specific areas of medicine – such as orthopedics (the musculoskeletal system), neurology (the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system), endocrinology (secretions, especially of hormones, such as insulin), and ophthalmology (the eyes). However, you will ideally have a general practitioner who will not only keep track of all your reports from your various specialists, but also administer vaccinations and perform bloodwork and a urinalysis to check for any new infections or diseases at your annual checkup.

General practitioners (GPs) for adults are called internists, and GPs for children are called pediatricians. Bringing it all together are family medicine practitioners, who can treat health issues of all kinds and in people of all ages.

The broad scope of family medicine is what makes it unique, and you don’t have to have a family to see a family medicine provider. Let’s talk about what is involved in family medicine, what sets it apart from other medical specialties, and where you can go in Wellington to see an outstanding family practitioner who can help you stay healthy.

Primary Care for All Ages

Family medicine providers can care for every member of the family, from infants to the elderly. They administer annual checkups, monitor chronic illnesses, and make sure that a patient doesn’t have new medications that have contraindications with each other – meaning that they counteract, rendering them unhelpful or even harmful to your body.

Comprehensive and Preventive Care

With their breadth of experience, family medicine practitioners are able to provide comprehensive care to patients throughout their lifetime. They are able to tailor each patient’s treatment plan according to the patient’s unique needs and preferences.

Family practitioners address various aspects of a patient’s overall health, such as:

  • Sleep
  • Energy levels
  • Nutrition
  • Blood pressure
  • Weight
  • Mental health
  • Mobility
  • Chronic conditions
  • Injury prevention
  • Pain relief
  • Memory

Family medicine practitioners provide preventive care, which includes health screenings, immunizations, and wellness checks. The healthcare provider will spend time with you and listen to what you have to say about health and wellness concerns.

Baseline Healthcare Practitioner

Medical specialists focus on their specialty alone, they don’t administer flu shots and check all of your vitals for other health conditions. However, primary care providers such as family practitioners act as coordinators of your overall care, making sure you get the treatment you need, and may refer you to specialists if necessary in order for you to reach optimal health and wellness.

Family Medicine Practitioner in Wellington, FL

Here at Advanced Medical Clinic, our staff is highly experienced and provides exceptional, compassionate primary care for the whole family. Our family medicine practitioner is Shariffa Gunawardene, and she treats patients with a preventive approach and a treatment approach – including helping you manage injuries and illnesses. She is known in Palm Beach County for her compassionate nature and her commitment to your health.

For any questions or to schedule an appointment with Nurse Practitioner Gunawardene, call our Wellington primary care clinic today at (561) 434-1935 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your family healthcare provider!

 

Filed Under: Family Medicine Tagged With: family medicine, family medicine doctor in Wellington FL, family medicine doctor near me, family medicine practice in Wellington FL, family medicine provider in Royal Palm Beach FL

What Do You Talk About with a Primary Care Physician?

January 14, 2022

Making an appointment with a primary care physician is the first step to achieving optimum health. A primary care physician can help you keep your health issues under control, which may extend your life while also offering a better quality of life.

If it’s your first time seeing a primary care physician or it’s been a while since you’ve seen one, you may be wondering how to make the most out of it. Let’s talk about a few key things you should discuss with your primary care physician during your visit, and where you can go in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach for world-class primary care.

#1: Health Concerns and Symptoms

During your visit to your primary care doctor, don’t hesitate to bring up anything concerning your health, such as:

  • Aches and pains
  • Digestive issues
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Reproductive issues
  • Sexual issues
  • Diet and lifestyle issues

Be sure to be honest with your primary care physician in order to help them develop a clear picture of your overall health and wellness. If you do not bring up something because it’s embarrassing, then the issue cannot be addressed – so don’t worry, your primary care physician has seen and heard it all.

#2: Current Medical Condition

During your annual or semiannual checkup, your primary care physician will perform bloodwork and a urinalysis. The doctor will also check your heart, blood pressure, breathing, eyes, ears, nose, and throat.

The physician will give you a prescription for any health condition you have if necessary. Let your doctor know if you have been experiencing any unusual health symptoms, such as abdominal pain or occasional dizziness.

Your primary doctor will also be the one who organizes and evaluates all of the reports from the medical specialists you see, such as an ophthalmologist, allergist, neurologist, gynecologist/urologist, and endocrinologist. Part of a primary care physician’s job is to ensure that you do not have any prescriptions that have contraindications, which means that they would work against each other or work against a different underlying condition you have. This is why every specialist will ask you who your primary care physician is.

#3: Health Goals

A primary care physician’s treatments are centered not just around maintaining your quality of life, but also helping you reach your health goals. Examples of health goals include:

  • More energy and stamina
  • Less pain
  • Better control of blood glucose (sugar) levels
  • Lower blood pressure readings
  • Improved cholesterol management
  • Losing weight
  • Better balance and mobility
  • Better sleep patterns
  • Stress management
  • Better mental health
  • Better sexual health

Primary care doctors can help you improve every aspect of your life that relates to your health through a range of primary care services.

Primary Care Physician in Royal Palm Beach, Florida

If you are looking for a primary care physician who truly cares, choose the Advanced Medical Clinic. Our primary care providers are a husband-and-wife team that advocates for our patients’ health and serves the whole family.

Dr. Ishan Gunawardene and nurse practitioner Shariffa Gunawardene are with you every step of the way. To schedule an appointment, call Advanced Medical Clinic today at (561) 434-1935 or fill out our appointment request form online. We look forward to being your healthcare provider!

Filed Under: Primary Care Tagged With: family doctor near me, family medicine, primary care doctor in Wellington FL, primary care doctor near me, primary care near me, primary care physician near me, primary care Wellington FL

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

December 24, 2021

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.

Filed Under: Chronic Pain Tagged With: Advanced Medical, Advanced Medical Clinic, Chronic Pain, doctor in wellington, doctor wellington, family doctor near me, family medicine, primary care physician

How a Family Doctor Can Help Manage Asthma

October 15, 2021

Asthma is a chronic condition that can cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, and wheezing. One of the most common causes of asthma is allergies, usually due to environmental factors such as dust, smoke, and pollution. A respiratory illness can also trigger asthma symptoms.

While there is no cure for asthma, you can keep your asthma symptoms under control with the help of your family doctor. A primary care doctor can coordinate your healthcare with other medical specialists and help you maintain your quality of life.

Asthma is one of the most commonly treated conditions by family medicine providers. It may surprise you to know that even if you are already seeing an allergy doctor for your asthma, the allergy specialist may recommend that you also see a primary care provider.

Let’s talk about why you need to have a primary care physician, how a family doctor can help you manage your asthma, and where you can go in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach for top-notch medical care for yourself and your whole family.

Reason #1: A Family Doctor Can Help You Manage Several Conditions at Once

A family medicine provider helps you control not just asthma but also other chronic conditions you may have, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes. Your family doctor can provide comprehensive care by taking into account your medical history, lifestyle, and preferences.

It can be challenging trying to manage several health conditions concurrently, but it’s not impossible. Some medications have ingredients that contraindicate each other, in which case they should not be taken at the same time – and your family doctor will make sure that none of your medicines are counteracting. Similarly, some recommendations for one condition may not be recommended for another condition, and this physician will help you to make the best decisions about how to take a comprehensive approach.

Reason #2: A Family Doctor Can Help Prevent Complications of Asthma

The breadth of knowledge and experience of a primary care doctor includes training in diagnosing and treating asthma, so this physician knows how to help you reduce or prevent complications that may arise – such as a worsening of asthma symptoms. Family medicine providers give personalized, high-quality care to keep you healthy for a lifetime.

How a Family Doctor Helps Keep Asthma Under Control

The goal is to prevent and control asthma attacks and establish normal lung function. This includes identifying your own personal triggers and avoiding them, and also the use of medication.

Depending on your needs, you may require the use of short-acting and long-acting prescription asthma medication. The doctor will educate you on the use of a peak flow meter, and teach you how to use it to detect an oncoming attack and possibly prevent it.

The doctor will also teach you how to properly use a rescue inhaler to experience quick relief from your asthma symptoms. The long-term medication prescribed by your family medicine provider will help prevent asthma attacks and lessen their severity when they do arise.

Family Doctor in Wellington, FL

If you want to take control of your asthma, let our family medicine provider here at Advanced Medical Clinic, Dr. Shariffa Gunawardene, help you live a better life. Dr. Gunawardene provides personalized asthma treatment for our patients who have allergy-induced asthma, and she takes her time with each patient to determine the best course of action for optimal health and wellness. She and her husband, Dr. Ishan Gunawardene, together lead our medical team and will ensure you receive the full and proper diagnostics and treatment that works for you.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call our primary care clinic today at (561) 434-1935 or fill out our convenient online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!

Filed Under: Asthma Tagged With: asthma treatment Wellington FL, doctor, family medicine, primary care, primary care in Wellington FL, primary care near me, urgent care in Royal Palm Beach FL, urgent care near me, wellington, whiplash treatment

What To Expect From A Walk-In Clinic

February 5, 2021

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

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

What Can I Expect From A Walk-In Clinic?

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

Treatment For Common Conditions

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

●      Sore throat

●      Minor burns

●      Diarrhea

●      Colds and coughs

●     Migraine

●      Rashes

●      Nausea

●      Mild flu and low-grade fever

●      Allergies

Imaging And Laboratory Tests

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

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

Urgent Care

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

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

Convenience

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

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

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

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

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

Filed Under: General, Walk-In Clinic Tagged With: allergies, family medicine, flu season, Migraine, primary care physician near me, rash, sore throat, urgent care in Royal Palm Beach FL, walk in clinic in Royal Palm Beach Fl, walk-in clinic near me

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

January 22, 2021

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

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

Family Medicine Providers Follow Your Lifecycle

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

Thorough Knowledge of Personal and Family History

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

Range of Healthcare Provisions

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

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

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

·      Diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and minor injuries

·      Routine check-ups and screening tests

·      Vaccinations and immunizations (including childhood immunizations)

·      Physicals (for employment, insurance, sports, school, and camp)

·      Disease prevention, detection, and management

·      Treatment and management of chronic conditions

·      Some minor surgical procedures

·      Weight management and advice on healthy living

·      Women’s health (including gynecologic exams, Pap smears, and preventive medicine)

·      Blood draws, EKG and echocardiography, and pulmonary function testing

·      Geriatric medicine

Finding You the Right Specialist

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

Family Medicine Providers in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

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

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

Filed Under: Family Medicine Tagged With: allergy treatment in royal palm beach fl, arthritis treatment in wellington fl, asthma treatment near me, diabetes treatment near me, family medicine, joint pain treatment in wellington fl, preventative care, urgent care, work injury treatment near me

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

January 5, 2021

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

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

How Is Blood Pressure Measured?

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

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

·      Normal blood pressure, which has a systolic reading of less than 120 and a diastolic reading of less than 80

·      Prehypertension – 120-130 (systolic) and 80-89 (diastolic)

·      High Blood Pressure stage 1 – 140-159 (systolic) and 90-99 (diastolic)

·      High Blood Pressure stage 2 – 160 or higher (systolic) and 100 or higher (diastolic)

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

High Blood Pressure

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

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

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

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

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

Diagnosing and Treating High Blood Pressure

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

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

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

Quality Primary Care in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

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

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

Filed Under: High Blood Pressure Tagged With: family medicine, general wellness, high blood pressure, high blood pressure treatment, low blood pressure, primary care in royal palm beach, primary care in wellington, primary care near me, primary care physician

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