family medicine

The Pains of Aging

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

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

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

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

How Can I Prevent Age-Related Pains?

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

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

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

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

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

Family Medicine in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach

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

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

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.

What Does Being a Family Medicine Provider Mean?

Health is not only a reflection of the state of your body. It has a great deal to do with you and everything around you. In fact, the World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being”. Your lifestyle, your genetics, your financial situation, your stress level, your workplace environment, the wellbeing of your family – the safety of your community and society in general – are some of the many factors that your family care provider will have knowledge of as he or she guides you to a healthier state. So what exactly does it mean to be a family care provider?

Family Medicine 

Family medicine is a medical specialty that involves the care of individuals and families throughout the lifespan. In each stage of life, people have characteristic risks and unique needs. An infant is completely dependent on others for survival. Toddlers need guidance and encouragement as they learn about their environment and how to interact with others and society. Teenagers are in a stage of rapid growth and development, when positive and negative environmental and social influences can shape their futures. And older adults are faced with the natural challenges associated with aging. A family medicine provider understands each of these stages and is uniquely qualified to promote health, prevent illness, and treat diseases for their patients at all ages.

The Role of the Primary Care Provider

Your family care provider will be the primary care provider for your entire family. Today’s healthcare system is large and complex. When you are healthy, it may be simple to make it to your annual check up. However, staying healthy is a little more complicated. Your primary care provider is the one person in the system that knows you (and your children and spouse) and has your best interest at heart. He or she will not only perform annual exams, but will make sure you have all the recommended screening tests like mammograms or cholesterol levels done. They will also advise you of necessary immunizations to prevent avoidable infections, as well as educate you on a healthy lifestyle.

These are all very important activities to keep you free from illness – strong of mind and body. However, having a primary care provider is even more important when you do get sick. Knowing your medical history, including the medications you take, what works best for you, and what your preferences are, are invaluable when treating someone with an acute illness. You want a provider that you know and trust, to turn to when you are at your most vulnerable.

Benefits of Having a Family Care Provider 

Have you ever had to see a provider that you did not know in an urgent situation? Imagine experiencing a new and concerning symptom – one distressing enough that you feel the need to go to the family medicine provider. If you do not have a family care provider, you can expect to either spend a great deal of time explaining your past history, or at worst, receive treatment based on partial or inaccurate information. A family care provider, as the name would suggest, knows you and your family. You, most likely, have established a good relationship, and have shared your complete medical history. This would also have included your family history, such as any relatives who may have had heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or any other potentially hereditary illnesses.

This provider will be aware of information that you may not realize is important, but that can make a big difference in your recovery, like whether you are married or have children, if you live alone, if you have a support system, whether you have transportation, and whether you are able to get a new prescription filled. Medicine is not only treating disease; it is understanding the needs of each individual patient within their unique environment and set of circumstances, and finding a way to help them achieve their highest level of health.

Your family care provider will also be in touch with your community. Infection and disease often occurs in patterns that are unique to geographical locations. For instance, antibiotics that may be effective against bacteria in Florida may not be the right choice in New Jersey.  Additionally, they will be aware of what is “going around” in the local schools and workplaces. Your family care provider is in the position to protect not only you from injury or illness, but also your spouse or children. He or she will guide you so that you can anticipate potential risks, take action to prevent injury or illness, and recover quickly if you do become ill. Having a family care provider that you know and trust is the first step in securing a healthy and happy life for you and each member of your family.

If you are interested in finding our more about primary care, family medicine, or the services we provide at Advanced Medical, PA, please call us at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment, or request one online.

Why Do You Need to See a Family Medicine Provider Today?

While it might be convenient to make an appointment for the same day for an annual physical, this may not necessarily be realistic nor the best plan of action for you. Having a productive annual visit generally means that you have laboratory or other screening tests prior to seeing your provider. Conversely, sometimes it is not necessary to go straight to the family medicine provider when you come down with a cold. Viral upper respiratory infections often run their course with little more intervention than rest, fluids, and some over-the-counter medications. However, there are situations when you should have a same-day appointment. There are also certain symptoms that require an emergency room visit.

When Should I Have a Same Day Appointment? 

There are many instances when people will call the family medicine provider for advice over the phone, when they should really be seen in person. While a great deal of information can be retrieved from a conversation with your family medicine provider, there are times when he or she needs to evaluate you before ordering tests or treatments. The following list is not all-inclusive, but reviews a few of the more common complaints that require an office visit.

Upper Respiratory Symptoms

When your have had a cold for about 5 days and the symptoms are not getting better, or are worsening, it is probably time to see your family medicine provider. This is especially true if you are running a fever. You may need an antibiotic. On the other hand, you might not. Sometimes a cough and shortness of breath may be caused by bronchitis, or could be as serious as heart problems. Your provider will not be able to determine this over the phone, and having a family practitioner that can see you the same day may save you a trip to the emergency room or to urgent care.

Pain or Difficulty Urinating

Often times, problems urinating can be the result of a urinary tract infection (UTI). The first line of treatment for this is usually increasing your fluid intake and giving your body a few days to fight the infection. However, if the symptoms persist, you may need a urine culture to determine what is causing the problem, because an untreated UTI can lead to complications. These symptoms can also be caused by other illnesses, including certain sexually transmitted infections. Additionally, they may be consistent with

postmenopausal syndromes in women, or prostate problems in men.

A Fall Resulting in Pain or Swelling

The older you are, the more concerning a fall may be. And while the treatment for a traumatic injury that causes swelling is RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), it is usually a good idea to have your primary care provider evaluate you. In the event that they find a fracture or significant injury to a joint, he or she can refer you to a specialist for further treatment.

Vomiting, Diarrhea, or Severe Abdominal Pain Lasting Longer than a Few Days

Viral gastroenteritis or even food poisoning is something that most younger, healthy people will recover from in a few days, but if you are not improving after 3 days of rest along with a bland diet and drinking fluids, it is time to see your primary care provider. If you are running a fever, it is even more important to be evaluated. First of all, you may need to have a few tests to find the cause of these symptoms. Additionally, vomiting and diarrhea causes loss of both fluids and electrolytes, which can lead to more problems. This is especially true with the young, the old, and the chronically ill; so making a same-day appointment would be in your best interest.

Bloody or Black Stools

Stools with bright red blood may well be from hemorrhoids, however, if accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal cramping or diarrhea, it can be more serious. Additionally, even if it is hemorrhoids, chronic blood loss can cause anemia. If you are experiencing black stools, it could be an indication that you have bleeding somewhere higher in your gastrointestinal system – which runs from your esophagus to your anus. Seeing your primary care provider is an important first step to determine if and why you are bleeding internally.

When Should I Go to the Emergency Room? 

Even if you do have a primary care provider that offers same-day appointments, there are times when you should bypass the office and go straight to the emergency room. While this is not an exhaustive list, the following are clear indications for emergency room care. Chest pain, especially if it is associated with activity, could indicate you are having a heart attack. Other symptoms to look for in this situation would be neck, shoulder or arm pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness. If you feel palpitations, which can be a feeling of your heart beating fast and hard, or of having skipped beats, you should be evaluated in the emergency room, especially if you are feeling weak, lightheaded, dizzy, or are having chest pain. If you are feeling short of breath or are wheezing, the emergency room is the best place to be evaluated. Additionally, any time you have any neurological changes, such as confusion, dizziness, severe headaches, weakness, difficulty talking or swallowing, or an uneven smile, you should be taken to the emergency room or call 911. This would include whether the changes came on spontaneously, or after you had a head injury. In fact, any severe trauma, including a head injury should be evaluated in the emergency room.

Advanced Medical has caring and attentive medical staff, who are committed to providing quality health care to all their patients. They believe in continuity in primary care, and are available for same-day appointments. Call today at (561) 434-1935 to schedule an appointment, or book an appointment 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.

Selecting the Right Provider

Changes to healthcare laws and the way insurance works and what’s covered make selecting the right provider more important than ever. Your primary care provider is a vital member of your healthcare team. Find out why a small practice may offer the best overall care for your health.

Primary Care Provider

The right Primary Care Provider, or PCP gives you access to the best possible healthcare. As the “point person” on your medical team, your provider gets to know you and your health history. He or she knows the specialists you’ve seen and which medications you take. They will help manage your health through acute illnesses or chronic disease, and always explain conditions and treatment options.

Continuity of Care

Healthcare can be big business. More and more, providers work in a large practice where a patient may be seen by a different practitioner at each visit, especially if an appointment is made on short notice in the case of illness. Patients in the Welling and Royal Palm Beach, Florida areas can choose Advanced Medical Clinic for their care, and always see Dr. Ishan Gunawardene or his wife, nurse practitioner Shariffa Gunawardene.

Here are some reasons why continuity of care from your provider is so important

  • Your whole health picture – if you always see the same provider, he will know details about your health that can’t all be recorded in your file.
  • Hospital care – if you require treatment in a hospital, the Advanced Medical team will be there to advocate treatments that are in your best interest, keep you and your family informed, and provide first-hand health history information that could significantly improve treatment outcomes.
  • Accessibility – Ask your primary care provider a question without having to explain symptoms or events that have already been treated.

Advanced Medical Clinic offers personal care with continuity throughout. Call (561) 434-1935  for an appointment in Wellington or Royal Palm Beach, Florida today. Get a same day appointment or just walk in.