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Primary Care Medicine: What You Need to Know

Proper medical care and attention are crucial for maintaining overall health. A primary care physician is essential in managing preventative check-ups, treating illnesses and injuries, providing immunizations, and other vital processes that help keep us healthy.

You may wonder when primary care is right for you and how to ensure your primary care provider can meet your specific needs. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about primary care medicine and why it is an important part of any plan for staying healthy.

What Is Primary Care?

Primary care is the foundation of our healthcare system and includes a broad range of medical services essential for maintaining good overall health. Generally speaking, the primary care physician is the patient’s first point of contact with the healthcare system and provides a wide range of preventive and basic medical care. Primary care medicine includes preventive measures such as immunizations, health screenings and counseling, and the management of chronic disease.

Primary care also provides care for acute illnesses, injuries, and infections. Primary care physicians work closely with patients to coordinate treatment with specialists when needed. Ultimately, the goal of primary care is to keep patients healthy and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations or emergency room visits.

Why Is It Important To Have A Primary Care Provider

Having a primary care provider is crucial for maintaining optimal health and well-being. Having a provider who knows your medical history and can provide continuity of care is especially important in managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. Primary care providers focus on preventive care and encourage regular check-ups and screenings. By detecting potential health issues early on, they can be treated before they become more serious and difficult to manage.

In addition, primary care is typically more cost-effective than specialty care or emergency room visits, making it a valuable resource for managing your healthcare needs. Studies have shown that individuals who have a primary care provider have better health outcomes, including lower rates of hospitalizations and longer life expectancy.

Find the Right Primary Care Provider

When you need to find a primary care doctor, it is important to choose someone who understands your individual health needs and can provide personalized care. Start by doing your research and checking out reviews from other patients but remember that everyone’s experience may be different. Consider the provider’s qualifications and experience, as well as their communication style and bedside manner.

It is also important to make sure that the provider accepts your insurance and is conveniently located for you. Do not be afraid to schedule a consultation to get to know the provider better and ask any questions or voice any concerns you may have. With a little bit of effort and patience, you can find the perfect primary care provider to help you achieve your health goals.

Choosing Your Primary Care Provider

There are several factors to consider when making your selection, such as the location, hours of operation, and the qualifications of the providers. Additionally, it is important to consider the practice’s approach to healthcare and whether it aligns with your personal beliefs and values. A good primary care practice should prioritize communication and collaboration with their patients to ensure that their healthcare needs are met.

Take the time to research and visit different practices to find the one that feels comfortable for you. Your primary care provider will play an integral role in your healthcare journey, so it is worth investing the time and effort to find a practice that you feel comfortable with.

Family Medicine Doctor in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

Finding a quality family medicine facility near you is as easy as calling Advanced Medical Clinic. 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 the flu or need help managing your chronic condition, you can rely on the doctors at Advanced Medical Clinic.

To make an appointment with our primary care doctors, call us today at (561) 434-1935. You can also make an appointment online using our convenient online appointment request form.

A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Primary Care Doctors Near You

Choosing a primary care doctor is an important decision, as your choice could impact the quality of medical treatment and services you receive. To make the task easier, this comprehensive guide covers everything from how to conduct research on potential doctors to examples of how to find reliable health professionals near you.

Identify Your Needs

When it comes to healthcare, identifying your specific needs is crucial in finding the right type of care. Take some time to think about whether you require family medicine or internal medicine. Family medicine practitioners offer comprehensive care for patients of all ages, while internal medicine specialists focus on adult health concerns.

Another option might be a specialist in a certain area, such as a cardiologist or dermatologist. By considering your individual health needs, you can make an informed decision about the best available care. Remember, taking the time to evaluate and prioritize your healthcare needs is a major step toward achieving optimal health and well-being.

Do Your Homework

Taking care of our health is essential, and finding a primary care doctor who can guide us toward optimal wellness is crucial. Fortunately, in this digital age, searching for medical professionals in our area has become easier than ever. By using the internet, we can browse through a pool of highly qualified primary care doctors in our locality.

These doctors can offer personalized care, preventative measures, and acute treatment for various illnesses. Whether you need a regular check-up, vaccination, or treatment for a chronic condition, a primary care doctor can provide the medical expertise and care that you need.

Ask For Recommendations

When it comes to making important decisions, there is nothing quite like getting a personal recommendation from someone you trust. That is why asking friends and family can be such a valuable strategy for finding the right primary care provider.

Make a Few Calls

Taking the first step towards finding a new doctor can be overwhelming, but making an initial call to their office can provide clarity and ease any concerns. Asking about their services, accepted insurance plans, and availability can give you a comprehensive understanding of the care they provide. It is important to feel comfortable and confident in your healthcare provider, and reaching out to their office is a great starting point. Do not hesitate to ask questions and make sure to take notes to keep yourself informed. Making that initial call could be the beginning of a long-term, beneficial relationship with your doctor.

Check Out Online Reviews

When it comes to choosing a doctor, it is important to consider more than just their qualifications and expertise. You want to feel comfortable and at ease with the entire experience, from booking an appointment to interacting with the nurse and office staff. Reading online reviews of the doctor and their practice can help you get a sense of what to expect.

You can learn about other patients’ experiences, including their wait times, the friendliness of the front desk staff, and the doctor’s bedside manner. While one or two negative reviews may not necessarily be cause for concern, consistently poor feedback should raise a red flag. Take the time to do your research and make an informed decision about your healthcare provider.

Schedule an Appointment

Making the decision to find a new doctor can be a daunting task. You want someone who is not only experienced and knowledgeable, but who also fits your personality and communication style. That is why a meet-and-greet appointment can be incredibly valuable. This is an opportunity to sit down with the doctor in person, ask any questions you may have, and get a feel for their approach to medicine. You will be able to assess if this is someone you feel comfortable working with and trust to guide your healthcare decisions.

Family Medicine Doctor in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

Finding a quality family medicine facility near you is as easy as calling Advanced Medical Clinic. 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 the flu or need help managing a chronic condition, you can rely on the team at Advanced Medical Clinic.

To make an appointment with one of our primary care doctors, call us today at (561) 434-1935. You can also make an appointment online using our convenient online appointment request form.

How to Choose a Primary Care Doctor

A primary care doctor is your key to achieving and maintaining optimal health. They provide you with everything from treating common illnesses such as fever, flu, allergies, etc., to screening deadly illnesses like breast cancer or prostate cancer and referral to a specialist.

A primary care doctor is a medical doctor who addresses all your primary care needs. So, it would be best if you chose a doctor with which you can have a rewarding relationship. Your primary doctor can be your family nurse practitioner, pediatrician, Ob/Gyn, internal medicine doctor, etc.

Let’s talk about some tips you can follow while choosing your primary care doctor and where you can find the best primary care doctor in Royal Palm Beach.

Tip#1 Start by Asking People You know

Finding the best primary care doctor in your area can be challenging. So, follow this easy step, i.e., ask around.

You can speak with your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors and get recommendations from them. Another good source is getting recommendations from other healthcare professionals like pharmacists, physiotherapists, dentists, etc.

Note down the name of all the primary care doctors in a journal and research them to narrow down the list.

Tip #2 Get Help from Your Insurance Provider

A primary care doctor who shares your insurance plan will decrease your health care costs. So, to pay the least out of your pocket, ask your insurance provider to give you a list of primary care doctors who come under your plan. You can also search for the name of your potential primary care doctor on your insurance provider’s website.

You must choose a primary care doctor who comes under your insurance plan and is compatible with you.

Tip #3 Research the Education and Credentials

Do a background check to narrow down the list of primary care doctors you have in hand. You must find out about the education, training, experience,and accreditation of all the primary care doctors on your list.

Also, make sure that your potential primary care doctor is board certified and has no history of a malpractice claim or disciplinary action.

Tip #4 Know What Other People Say About the Doctor

Knowing what other people say about your potential primary care doctor will give you an insight into how the doctor practices medicine, the attitude of staff and doctors towards patients, and appointment wait times.

For this, read patient reviews and testimonials about primary care doctors. While these reviews can be used as a yardstick when choosing the doctor, you should not completely rely on patient reviews as they can be fabricated and sometimes misleading.

Tip #5 Find Out If your Primary Care Doctor Is Compatible with You

Before choosing a doctor, know them in person. For this, make a one-on-one consultation with them. During your consultation, notice your doctor’s communication style. Also, see if they answer your questions and value your point and treatment preference.

Choose a doctor who considers you a person, not a number.

Primary Care in Royal Palm Beach

If you’re looking for a highly skilled and trained primary care doctor, look no further than Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida. At our clinic, we offer a high standard of primary and urgent care. Our internal medicine specialist Dr. Ishan Gunawardene and nurse practitioner Shariffa Gunawardene provide comprehensive treatment options to help you achieve a better quality of life.

To set up a consultation with our primary care doctors, call us today at (561) 434-1935or request an appointment by filling out our online form.

3 Major Benefits of Walking

Walking requires no gym membership or special equipment. It’s no wonder walking is one of the most popular forms of exercise. Several studies show that it’s one of the simplest things you can do to improve your physical, emotional, and mental health. A 30-minute daily walk program can burn calories, reduce cholesterol, increase endurance, and improve depression, among many other things.

Here are three major benefits of this underestimated activity:

#1: Strengthens Bones And Muscles

Walking daily transfers weight from your joints to your muscles and helps increase bone density. This makes you stronger and more resistant to musculoskeletal injuries.

Osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become weak and prone to breaking, can also be prevented through regular walking. This activity also tones your leg and abdominal muscles.

Additionally, older adults can lower their chances of impairment and arthritic pain by walking for at least 10 minutes daily.

If you’re looking for a simple, affordable way to get more movement, you can start with this!

#2: Improves Your Heart Health

Walking helps promote heart health in three ways. It does the following:

  • Improves circulation
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Decreases cholesterol levels

People who follow a daily walking routine have a 30% lower risk of heart attack or stroke. In addition, a walking program can help manage your blood pressure, resting heart rate, weight, body fat, and cholesterol. It can reduce days spent in a hospital and even increase your life expectancy compared to no leisure-time physical activity.

Do you have an existing heart condition and are thinking about starting a daily walking routine? Consult a doctor to know the most suitable way to introduce this into your lifestyle.

#3: Increases Cognitive Function And Boosts Mood

Adding a daily walk routine has notable mental benefits. You may experience increased brain function and improved mood compared to those who do not walk much.

Walking can also heighten creativity by an average of 60%. It enhances divergent thinking and increases brain flow by exploring many possible solutions quickly. Additionally, walking can improve memory and stop the loss of brain tissue with age.

Physical activities like it do more than boost cognitive function. They also encourage the body to release endorphins. This feel-good hormone can help:

  • Elevate mood
  • Stimulate relaxation
  • Lower stress levels

Starting A Daily Walk Routine

The first step to starting a walking routine is to consult your primary care doctor for a general assessment. They can help you identify the risks and benefits of a suitable and effective walking program.

Once you have a schedule in place, all you need to do is be consistent with it. Here are a few notes to help you get started:

  • Warm up and cool down before and after your walking sessions.
  • Start at a relaxed pace and quicken as you go.
  • Interval is key. Try to vary your speed for small amounts of time.
  • Have a bottle of water with you and drink plenty of fluids.
  • Consult a primary care doctor to ensure you are maintaining healthy walking habits.

Primary Care Near You In Wellington, FL

Daily walks can improve your quality of life by strengthening muscles and joints, improving heart health, and boosting brain function. Most people can safely engage in modest exercise, such as brisk walking. However, it’s best to check with a health professional, preferably your primary doctor, before you take on a new exercise program.

If you’re searching for a primary care physician in Wellington, Florida, consider us here at Advanced Medical Clinic. Our board-certified healthcare providers work hand in hand to bring patients’ goals to fruition. As the top Wellington family practice, we aim to provide the highest quality of compassionate health care. That way, our patients can focus on living their best lives.

To schedule an appointment with a primary care physician in Wellington, call our office at (561) 434-1935. You can also use our convenient online request form.

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

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.