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Primary care doctor Wellington fl

Primary Care Physician: A Comprehensive Guide to Quality Care

Your primary care physician plays a crucial role in maintaining your overall health. They are the front line of defense in detecting, preventing, and managing various medical conditions. By understanding the responsibilities of a primary care physician and carefully selecting the right provider, you can ensure that you receive the comprehensive, high-quality care you deserve.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand the importance of having a primary care physician.

What is a Primary Care Physician?

A primary care physician is a medical professional who provides comprehensive, continuous, and coordinated healthcare services to patients.

There are different types of primary care physicians, including family medicine doctors, internal medicine doctors, and pediatricians.

The Role of a Primary Care Physician

A primary care physician serves as the main point of contact for patients when it comes to their healthcare needs. They are responsible for:

Diagnosing and Treating Common Medical Conditions

Primary care physicians are skilled in diagnosing and managing a wide range of health issues. From the common cold to chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, they can help.

Promoting Preventive care

Primary care physicians emphasize the importance of preventive care. This includes regular check-ups, screenings, and immunizations.

By catching potential health issues early, they can help patients avoid more severe complications.

Coordinating Care with Specialists

When patients require specialized care, the primary care physician will refer them to an appropriate specialist and coordinate their care.

They will also help the patient understand the specialist’s recommendations and ensure that all necessary tests and treatments are completed.

Managing Chronic Conditions

Primary care physicians play a crucial role in managing patients with chronic health issues. Diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are examples of these conditions.

Providing Health Education and Counseling

Primary care physicians educate patients on various health topics, including nutrition, exercise, and stress management.

They also provide counseling and support for patients dealing with mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.

How to Choose a Primary Care Physician

Selecting the right primary care physician is essential for maintaining your health and well-being. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a primary care physician:

Board Certification

Ensure that the physician you choose is board-certified in their specialty. This certification indicates that the doctor has completed rigorous training and testing in their field.

Experience and Expertise

Look for a physician with experience treating patients with similar health concerns or demographics as yours.

If you have a specific medical condition, find a doctor specializing in it.

Location and Availability

Choose a primary care physician with a convenient office location and hours that fit your schedule.

Additionally, inquire about their availability for same-day appointments and after-hours care.

Communication Style

It’s crucial to find a doctor who communicates effectively and listens to your concerns.

During your initial visit, observe how they interact with you. See whether they take the time to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Insurance Coverage

Verify that the primary care physician you’re considering accepts your insurance plan. Do so to avoid any unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

Patient Reviews

Read online reviews from other patients to get a sense of the physician’s bedside manner, communication style, and overall patient satisfaction.

The Importance of Establishing a Relationship with Your Primary Care Physician

Building a strong relationship with your primary care physician is vital for several reasons:

Continuity of Care

A long-term relationship with your primary care physician allows them to better understand your medical history, lifestyle, and health goals.

Preventive Care

Regular visits with your primary care physician help ensure that you receive timely preventive care. This includes screenings and vaccinations, which can detect potential health issues early on.

Better Communication

When you have an established relationship with your primary care physician, you may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive health concerns.

Improved Health Outcomes

Patients with a strong relationship with their primary care physician experience better overall health outcomes, including lower hospitalization rates and emergency room visits.

Primary Care Physician Near You in Wellington, FL

Looking for the most trusted primary care physician near you in Wellington? You can rely on the healthcare providers at Advanced Medical Clinic, the best Wellington family practice. Our team of dedicated, compassionate, board-certified doctors is proud to offer comprehensive,personalized care to you and your family members. Whether you are feeling like you have flu or need help managing chronic conditions like diabetes, you can rely on our team.

To schedule a consultation with one of our primary care doctors, call us today at(561) 434-1935 or fill out our convenient online appointment request form.

4 Healthy Tips from a Primary Care Physician Near You

It’s no denying that you need to avoid illnesses and practice healthy habitsto thrive and live a long-lasting life. However, avoiding certain illnesses and making healthy choices isn’t always easy.

The good news is that there is a doctor – your primary care doctor – whocanhelp you achieve and maintain good healthby fulfillingall your primary care needs and giving you some healthy tips.

Let’s talk about 4 healthy tips that your primary care doctor may advise you for living the healthiest and longest life and where you can find the best primary care doctor in Royal Palm Beach.

#1 Get Routine Health Screenings

Most people think regular health screening is only for those at risk for certain illnesses due to their genetic makeup. However, routine health screening is helpful for everyone. It helps detect diseases or conditions early when they are most treatable.

So, your primary care doctor recommends you regularly get yourself screened for heart diseases, diabetes, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer.

During your health checkups, you may also be asked to get screened for diseases specific to your gender and age group.

#2 Take Control of your Health

To live a long healthy life, it’s important that youmust take an active role in your health and well-being. You should make intelligent health choices using the knowledge and skills your primary care doctor equips you with.

For example, if you have a chronic disease, such as diabetes, obesity, or hypertension, your primary care doctor advises you to manage your health condition by keeping a tab on your health numbers like blood pressure, BMI/weight, and blood sugar level.

#3 Maintain a Balanced Diet

One of the easiest things you can do to stay fit and healthy is to make wise food choices. This is because what you eat heavily impacts your health status.

For example, if you’re prediabetic, eating sugary food will keep your blood sugar level high, and you will quickly develop full-blown diabetes.

So, your primary care doctor advises you to incorporate the right amount of real food – whole grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, fish, and healthy meat – into your diet. Plus, you must reduce your salt intake and alcohol consumption.

#4 Stay Physically Active

People living sedentary lives are at higher risk for cancer, metabolic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and musculoskeletal diseases, such as back pain, knee pain, and osteoporosis.

So, your primary care doctor advises you to engage in physical activity that gets you moving for 30 minutes daily, at least three days a week.

You can stay active by doing simple and enjoyable activities, such as cycling, swimming, walking, running, dancing, etc.

Primary Care Doctor in Royal Palm Beach

At Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida, our primary care doctors,Dr. Ishan Gunawardene and ShariffaGunawardene, are committed to providing you with comprehensive primary care and urgent care. Our primary care doctorsofferadvanced, evidence-based, individualized care tohelp you achieve good health and enjoy a long healthy life.

To make an appointment with our primary care doctors, call us today at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online.

Tips on Choosing the Best Doctor for Your Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is nothing to be ignored. In fact, if you are having difficulty achieving and/or maintaining an erection that is sufficient enough for sex, you should consult a doctor who specializes in men’s health.

The physician you’re looking for will be able to diagnose and treat your ED promptly and without making you feel embarrassed. Let’s talk about how to find the best doctor for you in treating your erectile dysfunction, and where you can go in Wellington for world-class internal medicine.

Talk with Your Primary Care Physician

Your primary care physician (PCP) knows you better than any other healthcare provider. This doctor keeps records of all of your medical treatments and diagnoses, updates your vaccinations, prescribes medications and other services (such as physical therapy), and performs your annual physical exam. This physician is therefore ideal for asking questions about your ED, and the doctor may uncover underlying reasons behind it. Once your doctor has determined the likely cause of your erectile dysfunction, it can be treated successfully.

For example, certain chronic health conditions – such as Parkinson’s disease, MS (multiple sclerosis), diabetes, and cardiovascular disease – can impact blood flow to the penis and proper nerve function. Additionally, some medications you take, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, or blood pressure medications, can impair penile function.

Consult with a Men’s Health Specialist

Your doctor may already be well-versed in treating men’s health issues, so you may not need to look any further. A doctor who specializes in men’s health will offer state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatments for ED. Testing may include penile ultrasound to evaluate structure and blood flow, a blood draw to check for low testosterone (low-T), and other assessments.

Ask Questions

The physician you ultimately choose to treat your erectile dysfunction should make you feel comfortable in asking personal but pertinent questions, such as:

  • What could be the cause of my ED?
  • Do I have to take oral medications, or do I have other treatment options?
  • Can I improve my sexual function in natural ways?

The right ED doctor can explain all of today’s myriad ED treatment choices, and the doctor will ask you certain questions as well, such as:

  • How long have you had ED symptoms?
  • When do they tend to occur?
  • Are you having issues with achieving an erection, or maintaining one?

These questions are highly personal and can seem embarrassing. However, your physician needs this information to hone in on the underlying causes of your ED so that the best treatment can be determined for you. Keep in mind that most medical issues are indeed highly personal, so this is nothing new for your doctor.

Men’s Health Specialist in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, FL

Here at Advanced Medical Clinic, our board-certified internist can diagnose and treat a wide range of adult health issues, including erectile dysfunction. Whereas pediatricians are physicians who specialize in treating children, internists specialize in treating adults – and Dr. Ishan Gunawardene can address health issues of all kinds for both men and women.

Advanced Medical Clinic also offers family medicine for people of all ages, as Dr. Gunawardene’s wife, Shariffa, is a family nurse practitioner here at our practice. We are conveniently located in Wellington, and we are here for you for any non-emergency medical needs.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (561) 434-1935 or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your healthcare provider!

5 Mistakes That May Be Sabotaging Your Hand Washing

Our hands are in contact with our surroundings more than any other body part. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought several red flags to light when it comes to maintaining proper hygiene, most notably with hand washing. To prevent the spread of contagious diseases and reduce exposure to bacteria, viruses, and germs, frequent and proper handwashing is a must.

Do you want to know if you are washing your hands properly? Avoid these five major mistakes that may be sabotaging your hand washing.

#1 Washing Your Hands Too Quickly

Many of us are guilty of being inconsistent when it comes to washing our hands. We flip open the faucet, rinse for a second or two, get a few squirts of soap, rinse for a couple of seconds, and then go off to the next activity of the day.

You should be washing your hands for at least 20 seconds—twice the length of the Happy Birthday song—to eliminate harmful germs from your hands and prevent illness. Make sure you get in between your fingers, the backs of your hands, and under your nails, too.

#2 Touching Dirty Surfaces or Items After a Wash

After washing your hands, make sure not to touch surfaces or objects that may contain germs or bacteria, such as the faucet or door handle. These surfaces can contain a lot of germs, especially in public restrooms. This mistake may be the hardest to avoid because of how inconvenient it can be to correct it. To avoid touching dirty surfaces after washing your hands, have paper towels on-hand or a clean towel to dry your hands and turn the faucet off as well as to open the door as you exit.

#3 Not Washing Your Hands Regularly

Think of a typical day and try to recall how many things you touch. Think about how many other people also touch these objects or surfaces and the germs you may be picking up as a result. You can easily infect yourself when you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with germ-infested hands.

To limit the germs we pick up and transfer, we must all practice frequent hand washing. Try your best to wash your hands before and after meals, when you clean wounds, and after you have touched an object that may be a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, or germs. Also clean your hands after you touch your pets, handle garbage, use the toilet, cough, sneeze, or blow your nose.

#4 Using Hand Sanitizer Instead of Hand Washing

Do not let the product descriptions and marketing ploys fool you. Traditional hand washing is still better in getting rid of the germs and bacteria on your hands. Thorough soaping and rinsing are more effective and can remove harmful things you have collected on your hands much better than hand sanitizer can.

If there is no other choice but to use hand sanitizer, make sure that it contains at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizers with an alcohol concentration of over 60% are more effective at killing germs.

#5 Not Using Soap at All

This is a mistake committed by many people and one you should do your best to avoid. Merely rinsing with water will not get rid of the oil on your hands, where germs often stick. When washing your hands, make sure to lather your hands with soap, scrub them well, and rinse off the soap, oils, and germs.

Improve Your Hand Washing Technique to Prevent the Spread of Germs and Disease

Hand washing is an often overlooked aspect of maintaining proper hygiene and preventing the spread of viruses and contagious diseases. However, it is a major defender against sickness. We all want to stay healthy, therefore, we must observe proper hand hygiene and avoid the mistakes that defeat the purpose of hand washing. Clean your hands often and properly to avoid the coronavirus and other diseases and keep you and your family safe.

Primary Care in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

You must stay vigilant and look out for your health and the health of your family. If you live in Florida, the providers at Advanced Medical Clinic can assist you when you get sick. We offer family-oriented and comprehensive care for your health care needs. Get in touch with us today. If you have inquiries or you wish to schedule a consultation, call us at (561) 434-1935 or book an appointment online.