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primary care physician near me

Why Do You Need to Have a Family Medicine Doctor?

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!

 

Tips for Managing Arthritis Pain

If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from arthritis, you know that finding ways to effectively manage the pain that comes with your condition is central to maintaining your mobility and overall quality of life.

In this post, you’ll learn about a few strategies that can help you ease arthritis pain and live well with it.

Tip #1 Make Positive Lifestyle Changes.

While the medications and other treatments that your doctor prescribed can help manage arthritis pain, the very things that you do on a daily basis have a significant impact on the outcome of your condition.

Having a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet and regular exercise can help with gradual weight loss and reduce your risk for flare-ups. Weight is of particular concern because the additional strain on your affected joint can cause further damage to it. Excess weight and chronic inflammation also go hand in hand.

If you smoke, it’s time to snuff the habit. Cigarette smoke makes arthritis pain worse, as it triggers the body to release cytokines, which are key modulators of inflammation.

Tip #2 Work Closely with Your Primary Care Physician.

Your primary care physician is an integral part of your healthcare team. They are not only there to coordinate your care and monitor your condition; they also serve as your accountability partner – to provide you with support and guidance, ensure treatment adherence, and reinforce healthy lifestyle changes.

Tip #3 Learn to Cope with Stress.

Research suggests that stress compounds the discomfort associated with arthritis, as it can cause endocrine and immune system dysfunction, leading to sustained low-grade inflammation.

While it can be easy to be pulled down by your negative thoughts when dealing with arthritis pain, always keep in mind that focusing on them will only make things worse. It will not only exacerbate the pain but also contribute to the progression of your condition.

There are many things you can do to cope with stress. Employ relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing. Surround yourself with people you love and who support you. Additionally, consider talking to a therapist or joining a support group; your doctor may be able to recommend one for you. Respond to unwanted thoughts by taking positive action.

Primary Care Physician in Wellington, FL

At Advanced Medical Clinic, our team includes a board-certified internal medicine physician and a board-certified family nurse practitioner, who have helped scores of patients suffering from arthritis and many other chronic health problems live and thrive with their conditions.

Call us today at (561) 434-1935 or book an appointment online to arrange a consultation with Dr. Gunawardene or our family NP, Shariffa Gunawardene. We look forward to providing you with the high-quality health care you deserve!

A Checklist in Choosing the Best Family Doctor

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!

What Tests Can Be Done to Diagnose the Cause of My Headaches?

There are various ways headaches inflict their misery—from a dull pain accompanied by pressure or tightness as though a clamp is squeezing your skull, to severe or explosive pain as though a clap of thunder has stricken your head.

Almost everyone experiences headaches at least occasionally, but there are people who regularly suffer from a continuum of attacks. If you belong to the latter group, you want to get to the bottom of your headaches, so you can take the necessary steps to keep them from affecting your quality of life.

Let’s discuss the different tests that doctors typically use to diagnose the cause of headaches.

Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan

A CT scan is a type of imaging test that uses special X-rays to produce cross-sectional images of the inside of your head. Your doctor may order this test, if your headache is accompanied by other symptoms or has become frequent and debilitating, to confirm or rule out a tumor or other structural brain abnormalities.

During a head CT scan, the scanner’s X-ray beam rotates around your head, producing a series of images from different angles. The information then gets sent to a computer, which interprets the data and displays it in a two-dimensional (2D) form on a monitor.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An MRI uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create images of the structures in your head. Like a CT scan, an MRI creates detailed images of the internal structures of the brain as well as the brain stem. It checks for intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding), aneurysms, infection, stroke, tumors, and trauma, as well as congenital conditions and developmental abnormalities, among other problems.

It’s worth mentioning that these imaging tests are not always necessary. Unless your headache is disruptive, or occurs alongside other symptoms, such as sensory changes, nausea, fever, or confusion, your doctor may just review your medical history, diet and lifestyle, and current health condition in order to determine its cause or triggers.

Headache Treatment in Wellington, FL

If your headaches have become concerning, do not wait to seek medical attention. Turn to your primary care doctor, who can thoroughly evaluate your symptoms and determine whether or not you need medical imaging tests and specialized care.

If you’re searching for a reliable primary care physician within the Wellington area in Florida, visit us here at Advanced Medical. Dr. Ishan Gunawardene, our board-certified internal medicine physician, will carry out a comprehensive assessment to pinpoint the cause of your headaches and coordinate your care with a neurologist for effective management, if need be.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Gunawardene today. Call our clinic at (561) 434-1935 or use our online request form.

Will My Migraines Get Better Over Time?

If you’re one of the millions of Americans suffering migraines, the term “debilitating” is rather an understatement. The disabling headache, along with the slew of distressing symptoms, can leave you to wonder when there’s going to be any reprieve and if it will ever get better over time.

The good news is that, while there’s no step-by-step plan to make migraine attacks stop, the condition can go into either a partial or full remission: partial means you have fewer than 15 days of migraine headaches, while full remission means you go an entire year without experiencing the symptoms.

Read on to learn about what can cause to migraines to worsen as well as the things you can do to avoid attacks and achieve remission.

Why Would Migraines Worsen Over Time?

One way a migraine can get worse is when it becomes chronic. This equates to having bouts of headache 15 or more days every month and of the other migraine symptoms on at least 8 days for more than 3 months.

This can be ascribed to the absence of a proper migraine treatment plan: how you treat your symptoms can have an impact on the frequency and severity of your symptoms.

Migraine headaches that persist and worsen need further medical evaluation, especially if you only started experiencing them after the age of 50, if they have occurred due to a head injury or a side effect of disease treatment, or if they are resistant to medication and lifestyle changes.

Heading Off Migraine Attacks

A commonsense strategy to stave off migraine attacks is to identify and avoid the very things that trigger them. Migraine headaches can be precipitated by smoking, alcohol, lack of sleep, caffeine, changes in schedule, hunger, strong fragrances, stress, and menstruation. Lifestyle changes, such as establishing a regular sleep and eating schedule, smoking cessation, reducing intake of alcohol and caffeine, using unscented products, and managing stress help head off attacks.

For women who have menstrual migraines, one way the attacks can be prevented is by taking medications before menstruation begins up until a few days after the period has ended. Medications used to treat migraines include triptans, gepants, and ditans, which belong to a class of drugs whose mechanism of action is to quiet down overactive pain nerves.

Doctors may also prescribe antidepressants, antiseizures, or beta blockers, to treat episodic migraines. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), when taken at the onset of a migraine attack, can also help with managing the symptoms. The earlier you take your medication/s, the better they work.

Migraine Treatment in Wellington, FL

Here at Advanced Medical Clinic, board-certified internal medicine physician Dr. Ishan Gunawardene, along with the rest of our team, is dedicated to bringing one goal to fruition: keeping our patients healthy. Dr. Gunawardene can work closely with your neurologist or any other specialist contributing to your care to help you take full control of your migraine, so you can enjoy your life again.

Book your visit with Dr. Gunawardene today. Contact our staff at (561) 434-1935, or use our convenient online request form.

What Do You Talk About with a Primary Care Physician?

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!

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!

Tips to Stay Healthy When You’re Under The Weather

If you are feeling under the weather, you are probably dreading it. Even the mildest of sicknesses can take a toll on your body and prevent you from participating fully in your daily responsibilities and activities. As such, it is useful to know how to avoid getting common illnesses and how to feel better if you do get sick.

Reasons Why You May Be Sick

Most of the time, we think that we get sick by chance, but that’s not necessarily true. Here are some reasons why you might be feeling unwell.

Hereditary Factors

 

You may have inherited some types of allergies from one or both of your parents. Allergic reactions can range from mild to life-threatening. They are caused by the immune system overproducing antibodies to “fight” the allergen present in the body.

Common allergies include hay fever, eczema, asthma, hives, and food allergies. Children are more commonly affected by allergies, but a first-time occurrence can happen at any age.

Workplace Environment

 

If there’s a cold or flu going around the office, there’s a good chance you’re going to get sick, particularly if your immune system is easily compromised.

Workplaces have communal areas and objects that get passed around constantly. Touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after contact with a contaminated object is a sure way for you to get the same sickness as your colleagues.

Time of the Year

Some illnesses affect more people at certain times of the year. For example, seasonal allergies like pollen or hay allergies usually occur during spring. Meanwhile, the flu and strep throat are more common during fall and winter.

Chronic Conditions

If you’re experiencing recurring symptoms, you may have a chronic illness. There are a variety of causes of these conditions. These include age, diet, and lifestyle choices such as being overweight, smoking, and drinking excessive alcohol.

Tips to Fight Common Illnesses

No one enjoys feeling sick. It can take away from your busy day, the enjoyment you typically feel participating in your favorite activities, and can even impact your work performance. Not to mention, feeling sick is simply uncomfortable.

Get Enough Rest

You may think that staying on your feet will shake off whatever ailment you’re feeling. However, it’s not advisable to go about your day when your body is giving you signals that it’s not functioning properly. It’s best to listen to your body and take a break.

Getting ample sleep is critical to a speedy recovery. Good quality sleep has been proven to boost the immune system, which is crucial for recovery. To help you get quality sleep, make sure the room is dark, quiet, and cool.

Wash Your Hands Frequently

Cold viruses are transmitted by touch. If you use the same utensils and equipment as others, share the same food, or interact frequently with someone who has a cold, you’re more likely to get sick.

It’s important to thoroughly wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds several times a day, as well as avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes when you are outside your home. These steps can help prevent many common illnesses.

If you are sick, it’s important to continue taking these precautions as to not spread your illness to others around you.

Drink Lots of Fluids

Drinking water and other beverages like juices, broth, and electrolyte drinks when you’re feeling sick helps you replace the fluids you’ve lost. You also take in vital nutrients and eliminate waste.

Remember that being dehydrated can prolong your illness, so be sure to monitor your fluid intake over the course of a day.

Take Over-the-Counter Medications

Some go-to medications when you’re feeling flu symptoms such as fever, runny nose, and sore throat are acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Take these medications to reduce fever and muscle aches, as well. Meanwhile, seasonal allergies can be treated with oral antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays. These drugs treat sneezing, itchy skin, and stuffy nose.

Consult with Your Doctor

If you cannot pinpoint why you’re feeling unwell or if your symptoms persist for more than a few days, it’s best to seek the help of an expert. Your doctor can diagnose what’s ailing you and guide you towards the best treatment options.

You should also consult with a doctor if you suspect that you may have a chronic condition, such as diabetes, bronchitis, or high blood pressure.

Primary Care Physician at Wellington and Palm Beach, Florida

If at-home remedies do not work or you believe that you’re experiencing something more serious, it’s best to get yourself checked out by a doctor.

Here at Advance Medical, we provide quality healthcare to our patients. We offer internal medicine and family medicine services in Wellington and Palm Beach, Florida. Our comprehensive treatment options and experienced healthcare providers ensure that your visit with us will be both seamless and worry-free.

If you have any questions about our services, contact us at (561) 434-1935. You can also fill out our convenient online appointment request form. We look forward to getting you back to full health! 

Tips on How to Recover From Whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury that usually results from a car accident. It develops when the neck is forcefully moved back and forth, like a whip. However, you can get whiplash from other activities, too, such as sports.

Fortunately, most cases of whiplash can be addressed using conservative methods, like medication and exercise. Here are some tips to speed up your recovery.

Rest

Just like any other injury, rest can relieve whiplash symptoms. A few days of bed rest can help you recover. However, excessive lack of movement may delay recovery. The structures in your neck can weaken due to prolonged immobilization. Your doctor will give you advice on how long you should rest and any movement restrictions to follow.

Use Neck Support

Your doctor may advise you to wear a neck foam or brace to relieve pain and promote healing. A brace or a collar could help reduce the pressure on your neck by holding it still.

Most experts say that you shouldn’t wear neck support for more than 72 hours. The duration will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injury. Your doctor will give instructions on how long you should wear the brace and when to take it off.

Apply Hot/Cold Packs

Apply a hot or cold compress to reduce muscle swelling and pain. You may do this every 3 hours for 15 minutes. If you’re using ice packs, wrap the ice in a cloth first. Avoid direct application to avoid damage to the skin.

Take Medication

Your doctor may recommend medication to relieve painful symptoms. For mild to moderate whiplash pain, you can try over-the-counter medications, like ibuprofen and Tylenol. If you have more severe symptoms, you may require prescription medication. If needed, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants to relieve nerve pain. For your safety and health, it’s best to consult with your doctor before taking any medications.

Your doctor may also prescribe muscle relaxants. These medications force tight muscles to relax to provide pain relief. However, muscle relaxants can induce drowsiness. Your doctor may also recommend injection treatments. This ensures targeted delivery of the medicine into the painful muscle areas.

Stay Active

Rest can help in the first few days following your injury, but you will need to be active to complete your recovery. Being inactive for too long can be detrimental. Muscle stiffness and decreased physical strength are typical problems for those who have sustained an injury and remained at rest for a significant time. To combat this, your doctor will likely incorporate light exercises or physical therapy into your treatment plan.

Physical therapy aims to improve range of motion and rebuild strength. Here are some of the exercises your doctor may recommend:

●      Rotating your neck clockwise/counterclockwise

●      Tilting your neck to the left and right

●      Shoulder rolling

●      Bending your head towards and away from your chest

Treatment For Whiplash Wellington, FL

Most cases of mild whiplash can be resolved with over-the-counter medication and home care. However, severe cases may result in chronic pain and other prolonged complications. If you are suffering from whiplash due to an accident or physical trauma, see a doctor immediately.

If you would like to seek help for whiplash in Wellington, look no further than the Advanced Medical Clinic. We are a primary care practice committed to delivering personalized healthcare treatment to patients of all ages. Our team crafts appropriate treatment plans for urgent and non-urgent conditions.

Let us know you’re coming! Call us at (561) 434-1935 or fill out our online appointment request form.

Coping With Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) impacts 30 million men in the United States alone. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for ED. In Royal Palm Beach, Advanced Medical Clinic is the place to go to discuss erectile dysfunction confidentially and to get the coping strategies and treatments you need for satisfying sexual health.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Frankly, most men would admit they experience some degree of sexual dysfunction from time to time. However, persistent difficulties in achieving and maintaining an erection sufficient to have intercourse are abnormal. Men who experience this issue need help from their primary care physician.

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

Your family doctor encounters many patients who struggle with ED. The reasons for the problem vary, but usually, they fall under two categories: physical and psychological.

The physical causes include:

●     Poorly controlled diabetes

●     Injury to the groin, abdomen, or back

●     Obesity

●     Cardiovascular disease

●     Hypertension

●     Prostate issues, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy

●     Neurological problems

●     Certain medications

●     Some surgeries

The psychological causes include:

●     Alcohol or substance abuse

●     Family or work stress

●     Relationship issues between partners

●     Depression

●     Anxiety

Coping With Erectile Dysfunction

The first and best coping mechanism is an open, honest discussion with your primary care physician. They will assess your overall health and ask about your symptoms. They may order blood tests and other lab work to check for diabetes and other problems which could cause ED.

Additionally, your doctor will screen you for emotional health issues, such as depression and anxiety, to determine if you require counseling or other psychological interventions.

To manage your ED, you and your physician will pursue a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. Some men benefit from oral medications, such as Viagara and Cialis. There are suppositories and self-injectable medications that help many men, as well.

Other men may need a surgically-inserted penile implant to aid in obtaining and keeping an erection. Plus, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not just for women. Men with erectile dysfunction may have low-T (testosterone) and can benefit from HRT taken in pill form.

For most men–and this likely includes you–lifestyle changes greatly improve sexual function. Here are some suggestions that really work:

●     Avoid being sedentary, and start exercising. Regular exercise improves your mood, reduces stress, and benefits your vascular function.

●     Stop all smoking, and limit alcohol consumption. Both adversely impact the microcirculation in the lower extremities.

●     Achieve a healthy body weight. The bigger your waistline, the greater your chances of developing ED.

●     Eat fewer processed foods and more vegetables and fruit. Studies show a direct link between junk food and ED.

Don’t Wait for Erectile Dysfunction to Go Away

You can manage sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction, with the help of your primary care physician. So, why not take back control by calling Dr. Ishan Gunawardene? He is board-certified in internal medicine and has expertise and training in many subspecialties, including men’s health.

Contact Advanced Medical Clinic to schedule a consultation. Call us at (561) 434-1935, or request an appointment online.