What is primary care?
Primary care involves medical evaluation, screening, and treatment of illnesses, injuries, and chronic diseases. Experts at Complete Care treat patients 12 years and older and offer sick visits for pediatric patients greater than 8 years old. Seeing a primary care specialist you trust is the best way to maintain optimal health and prevent serious medical problems.
What are the benefits of primary care?
Visiting your primary care doctor regularly is important if you have, or are at a high risk for, the following illnesses or diseases:
- Strep throat
- Colds and flu
- Asthma or allergies
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Arthritis
- Hormone problems
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Wounds or other injuries
Detecting an illness or injury early can prevent serious complications. If you already have a chronic condition or take medications, your primary care specialist helps you better manage your disease. They can make medication dosage changes whenever necessary.
What happens during primary care appointments?
During a primary care appointment at Complete Care Physicians, your provider checks your weight, blood pressure, and other vital signs. They review your medical history, ask you about any symptoms you may have, and complete a comprehensive physical examination.
Your doctor evaluates your eyes, ears, throat, breathing, heart rate, and abdomen. They offer a pelvic exam and Pap test in women to screen for cervical cancer, and might recommend additional diagnostic tests. Examples include nasal or throat swabs, asthma and allergy tests, electrocardiogram (EKG), urine tests, blood tests, X-rays, or other imaging procedures.
Which treatments are available?
If you’re in good health, you likely don’t require any treatment. But if you have an illness, injury, or chronic disease, your doctor might recommend:
- Lifestyle changes
- At-home injury care
- Oral medications
- Nasal sprays
- An inhaler
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Further diagnostic testing
- Specialist referrals
They also offer some form of birth control for women and can recommend immunizations for disease prevention. If you have a complex medical problem requiring a specialist’s expertise, your primary care physician can refer out to a qualified professional in your area.
If you or your child becomes sick or you’re due for an annual physical exam, schedule an appointment with primary care experts at Complete Care Physicians by phone or online today.
