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primary care Wellington FL

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.

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!

When to visit a walk-in clinic vs. emergency room

Sometimes, you just need immediate medical treatment for a non-life-threatening condition. Whether it’s a cough, cold, fever, eye or ear infection, insect bite, or skin allergies, non-life-threatening is not necessarily non-life-affecting. These conditions can prevent you from going about your day normally and resting.

There are healthcare care facilities in Wellington, Florida, that have extended hours and are open on weekends where you can receive prompt medical care without having to make an appointment. They are called walk-in clinics, and they serve your medical needs for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

Walk-In Clinic vs. Emergency Room

You may be wondering, “How about the emergency room?” When doctors’ clinics are closed, there is the option of the emergency room. If you have visited the emergency room for a medical condition that is considered a non-emergency, chances are, you had to wait a long time to be seen, or you were asked to wait to see your primary care doctor during regular hours.

Triage nurses in emergency rooms will assess your condition and determine its severity. Patients with conditions that are considered non-emergencies tend to have longer waits. Moreover, emergency room visits are expensive. You could receive treatment for a wound and be billed a shockingly high amount, which is largely the facility fee. All in all, it is better to save emergency room visits for true emergencies.

When to Visit an ER:

You should visit an ER when you have severe, life-threatening symptoms. Examples include:

  • High fever
  • Choking
  • Breathing issues
  • Passing out or fainting
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Complex fractures (there is evidence of deformity or bone pushing through the skin)
  • Severe pain anywhere in the body
  • Serious burns
  • Deep wounds
  • Severe bleeding
  • Severe allergic reaction;  anaphylaxis
  • Numbness, weakness, or drooping on one side of the body

These are symptoms of life-threatening illnesses and injuries, suggesting a medical emergency, and should be treated in an emergency care facility.

When to Visit a Walk-In Clinic:

A wide range of non-life-threatening conditions can be treated at a walk-in clinic. Examples include:

  • Headaches
  • Sinus infections
  • Eye infection
  • Ear infections
  • Colds and flu
  • Strep throat
  • Sore throat
  • Tonsillitis
  • Fever
  • Insect bites
  • Mild skin allergy reaction or rashes
  • Small cuts, blisters, or wounds
  • Mild sprains and fractures
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain

A walk-in clinic can also provide other services, such as DOT physicals, women’s health exams, such as Pap smears, as well as vaccinations and immunizations.

Wellington Walk-In Clinic

The decision to visit a walk-in clinic can save you time and money. Patients are advised to find out ahead of time their options for care to be better prepared. If you are seeking urgent care for your medical condition, visit the Advanced Medical clinic in Wellington. We are a primary care clinic providing walk-in care. Unlike other Wellington walk-in clinics, at Advanced Medical, you will receive care from expert primary care doctors.

The Advanced Medical clinic is located in the Palomino Park complex on Hwy 44. We also have a location in Royal Palm Beach, at 1236 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. If you have any questions, give us a call at (561) 434-1935. We look forward to providing for your urgent medical needs!

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! 

Most Common Injuries You Can Have Treated At A Walk-In Clinic

A walk-in clinic is a place you can go to receive urgent treatment for a non-life-threatening injury. This facility is built for your convenience and is open for longer hours with the ability to receive patients with little or no wait time and without an appointment.

You know all too well that small accidents can happen at night or on weekends, which can mean a trip to the emergency room, or it could mean waiting until you can see a doctor for it. Common injuries are not a priority in the ER. Plus, it’s expensive getting treated there for common injuries. Whereas waiting to see a doctor may not give you peace of mind, and the symptoms can be overwhelming.

It pays to know your options for the next time you or a family member sustains an injury or medical emergency that is not life-threatening. Find out what common injuries can be treated at a walk-in clinic.

Injuries Treated at a Walk-in Clinic

Walk-in clinics vary in the services they provide. A walk-in clinic providing quality urgent care services should be able to treat patients with the following injuries:

  • Cuts and lacerations – open wounds can be cleaned and stitched shut to prevent infection and to assist with healing.
  • Sprains and strains – severe sprains and strains need stabilization and the use of bandages and splints.
  • Splinters – removal of foreign objects to prevent damage from infection and internal damage.
  • Fractures – fractures need to be immobilized with a brace, cast, or splint to encourage proper healing of the injury and to reduce pain and swelling.
  • Dislocations – a dislocated shoulder can be manipulated back into place and immobilized for the healing process to begin.
  • Burns – first-degree burns, where the skin is red but not blistering, can be cleaned and treated in a walk-in clinic. Burn ointment can be applied to prevent infection and provide relief from pain.
  • Car accident injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bruises, and whiplash – the providers at a walk-in clinic can provide prompt evaluation following a car accident and determine the seriousness of the injury. A cervical collar may be used to enhance the healing of a whiplash injury.

Walk-in clinics are an excellent resource for patients needing urgent treatment for common injuries. To get the highest quality treatment for injuries, choose one with board-certified medical professionals on the team.

Royal Palm Beach and Wellington Walk-in Clinic

At Advanced Medical, our health care providers include a board-certified internal medicine doctor, Dr. Ishan Gunawardene, and board-certified nurse practitioner, Dr. Shariffa Gunawardene. We are a healthcare team composed of caring and compassionate professionals offering patient-centric care.

If you’ve sustained an injury, we can provide a quick diagnosis and treatment to begin your recovery. We have many on-site conveniences and can provide continuity of care. Each patient’s treatment is personalized and will be overseen by Dr. Gunawardene.

If you have any questions or to let us know that you are coming, call (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online. We look forward to serving you in our Wellington walk-in clinic.

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.

How Do I Find the Right Family Doctor for Me?

Having a family doctor, as research shows, is linked to better health outcomes. But there’s one other great reason to have a family physician, and that is the doctor-patient relationship you can rely on for your and your family’s healthcare needs over the long term.

If you don’t have a family doctor or are not at ease with whom you’re currently seeing, now is the time to find a new one—one you can see yourself establishing a lifelong relationship with. Don’t wait till you or a family member gets ill. Pressure and illness can cause you to make a hasty, uninformed decision.

Here are some simple tips to help you streamline your search for the right family doctor for you.

o   Gather several recommendations.

The first step in finding the best family doctor is to get lots of referrals.

Ask your family, relatives, friends, and colleagues. Word-of-mouth recommendations are inherently reliable, as they come from people you personally know and trust.

You can also get referrals from other medical practitioners. Talk to your dentist or therapist. They possibly work with general practitioners, so they are in a position to recommend a family doctor who fits your family’s needs. 

o   Do an internet search.

The World Wide Web is replete with resources that can help you find the right family doctor for you.  You can find information about the practice’s business hours and the doctor’s credentials on their website.

Additionally, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) website has a helpful database that allows you to verify the practitioner’s board certification status, the number of years they have spent in practice, and whether they have any medical malpractice history. 

o   Check their location.

Distance is one important factor that many tend to overlook. Twenty miles may only seem like a quick ride, but if you need to take time off work to drive there, then it can be inconvenient.

There are big advantages to having a family doctor whose office is located close to where you live or work. This lessens the burden of having to travel far and ensures you have fewer hindrances to showing up for your appointments.

o   Read reviews.

In this day and age, it is very easy to find out about a medical practitioner’s reputation. Online reviews, though not necessarily a deciding factor, can help you make an informed decision with greater confidence.

You can find the answers to your own questions about the attitude of the doctor or the staff, quality of services, and wait times by reading reviews, which you can find either on the practice’s website and/or social media page.    

o   Schedule a visit.

This is a great way to ascertain the family doctor’s bedside manner and communication style, both of which have a huge impact on your confidence in their care and expertise as well as your overall experience.

Talk to the family doctors you have on your list and observe whether they have a soothing bedside manner and communicate effectively.

Are they able to explain complex medical concepts? Do they answer all your questions politely? Do you feel comfortable talking to them? If you answer no to any of these questions, it might be a sign that they may not be the right one for you.

Family Medicine Provider in Wellington, FL

If you’re searching for the right family doctor in the Wellington area in Florida, visit us at Advanced Medical Clinic for a consultation with our board-certified nurse practitioner, Shariffa Gunawardene. She is as equipped to provide you and your family with the highest quality of primary care services— the very same one you get from a family doctor in Wellington. 

Call us at (561) 434-1935 to set an appointment with our highly qualified family medicine provider. You can also use our convenient online request form.