Best Edge SEM, Author at Kavita Rao M.D.

20 Aug

Why You Should Not Put Off Going to the Doctor—Even If You’re Broke

Many people put off going to the doctor for a variety of reasons, but one of the most common reasons is because they can’t afford it. Did you know that 14 percent of the population of Florida, over 2.8 million people, were without health insurance last year? Without health insurance, seeing a doctor might seem like more than you can afford. Yet if you do not see a doctor, your expenses could often be greater.

Early Detection, Easier Treatment

With most medical conditions and illnesses, the earlier that it is detected, diagnosed, and treated, the easier it will be to treat and heal the problem. If you don’t have health insurance, you might wait to see if something gets better on its own. Yet as soon as it is clear that it is not, you need to go ahead and see a doctor. If you wait, treatment could be much more complex (and expensive).

10 Aug

The Difference Between a Primary Care Doctor and an Internist

When you are looking for a new doctor, the terminology can be confusing. There are a lot of different doctors with different specialties, and it is normal for the average person to be unaware of what different types of doctors actually do.

What Is a Primary Care Doctor?

When you get health insurance, you are usually required to have a primary care doctor. Many people think that this is a certain type of doctor, but it is not. The term “primary care” simply means that this is the doctor that will be your primary healthcare professional. Typically, all of your referrals to specialists, for lab work, or for imaging will go through your primary care doctor. But a primary care doctor can be an internist, a family practice doctor, a geriatrics specialist, or a pediatrician, depending on the age and situation of the patient.

15 Jul

Three Reasons to Have a Primary Care Doctor

Do you tend to go to the emergency room or urgent care when illness or injury strikes? You could be saving yourself a lot of time and money by having a primary care doctor. Your insurance company wants you to have one primary doctor that you see for minor ailments and disease management alike. Here are three great reasons to have a primary care doctor.

Managed Coordinated Care

When you have a primary care doctor, all of your healthcare professionals have one central point of contact. Your primary care doctor serves as the go between for all of your other healthcare professionals and specialists. Primary care doctors are usually the ones to discover medication interactions or conflicting therapies.

15 Jun

The Importance of Preventative Screenings

One of the founding principles of Western medicine in recent years is prevention. The healthcare system has finally recognized the truth of the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In fact, preventative screenings and physical examinations are a great way to make sure that you remain healthy and live a long and fulfilling life. Here are some of the reasons you should be getting regular preventative screenings.

Warning Signs

Preventative screenings for metrics such as cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose, and others are important because they can be warnings of worse health to come if you do not change your lifestyle. If you have these screenings done on a routine basis, an elevation in the numbers can be an indication that something needs to change before it becomes a problem. This gives you a chance to take these warnings for what they are and make lasting lifestyle changes that will improve and protect your health.

15 May

Why You Shouldn’t Put Off Your Annual Physical

You have probably heard that you should have an annual physical with your primary care doctor each year. Yet how often have you followed this advice? Many people skip their annual physicals because they feel they are in decent health and that it is not necessary. However, there are some very good reasons not to skip or put off your annual physical this year.

Routine Testing

There is some routine testing that should be done each year, especially as you get older and your risk factors increase. You should have your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, and other routine blood work to ensure that there are no underlying problems waiting to be diagnosed. The metrics that are checked by your doctor during your physical are risk factors for other illnesses, and it is important that you know what they are and whether or not treatment is required.

15 Apr

Your Annual Physical: Why It’s Important

Many people fail to get a physical each year. You may believe that there is no reason to go to the doctor if you are not ill, but preventative medicine can extend your life by several years or even decades. Preventative annual physicals are an important part of your self-care, and they should not be neglected. Here are some excellent reasons why your annual physical is important and you should schedule one today.

Early Diagnosis

Many health conditions are not severe for some time after they begin. With many health conditions and diseases, there are often no severe symptoms until the condition is well progressed. You may be experiencing some minor discomforts or nuisances that you may have dismissed that could be symptoms of a troubling condition. During an annual physical, your doctor will give you a complete examination and ask you questions about your lifestyle and symptoms. Often health conditions can be found early in this way, and they can be treated more effectively and quickly with early diagnosis.

15 Feb

The Importance of Annual Physicals

Everyone understands the necessity of going to see your doctor when you are ill, but have you considered annual physicals? Annual physicals are an important part of maintaining your overall health. These yearly checkups are so important that many health insurance companies are now offering incentives for those who complete them. Annual physicals are important for many reasons.

Addressing Concerns

You may have some concerns about your health that don’t seem important enough for a special visit to your doctor. This doesn’t mean that you can’t get those concerns addressed. An annual physical is a great time to talk to your doctor about how to lose weight, quit smoking, get healthier, or address chronic pain or headaches. Your doctor can give you referrals and resources, and occasionally medications, to help with these general health concerns.

Early Detection of Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions have few symptoms in the early stages. It may be that you are experiencing symptoms of high blood pressure, diabetes, or other medical conditions without realizing it. A part of your annual physical is routine lab workups and blood pressure checks to detect these types of medical conditions in the early stages. Many medical conditions are more easily treated and controlled when they are detected early.

Assessing Medical Risks

There are some health factors that contribute to your risk of diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and other serious medical conditions. During your annual physical, your doctor will examine you and ask you about your lifestyle and medical history. This will allow them to accurately assess your risk for these medical conditions and provide you with advice and resources to mitigate your risk and keep you healthy.

If you haven’t had your annual physical yet this year, contact our offices to schedule an appointment. We look forward to assisting you in preventative medicine to keep you healthy for years to come.

15 Dec

Get Healthy in 2019 With the Elimination Diet

Are you one of the millions of Americans dealing with a chronic condition like migraines, joint pain, or ongoing fatigue? Most of us have at least one condition holding us back from enjoying an optimal quality of life, but we rarely identify the true cause of our chronic issues.

The truth is, your eczema or chronic inflammation isn’t just the result of stress or bad luck. Your eating habits could be causing and dictating their health concerns. If you find yourself experiencing any ongoing health issues, but don’t know their root cause, the elimination diet is for you.

An Introduction to the Elimination Diet

The elimination diet is designed to reveal and identify food intolerances and sensitivities that could be causing problematic symptoms like migraines, fatigue, inflammation, weight gain, and more. Food intolerances have become dramatically more prevalent over the last decade due to the growing contamination of foods and beverages with artificial ingredients, GMOs, and other dangerous components. Read More →

15 Nov

The Real Reasons You Need a Prebiotic

You probably know that taking a probiotic boosts your immune system by strengthening the good bacteria in your gut. But did you know that prebiotics are also important to your overall health?

Achieving good health isn’t just about killing the bad bacteria in your body; it’s about supporting and nurturing the billions of good bacteria that help your body function optimally. Here’s what you should know about adding a prebiotic to your daily routine, especially during the winter when illnesses are most prevalent!

What Are Prebiotics?

Prebiotics are natural food components that aren’t actually digestible in the body. Instead of being digested, prebiotics promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut as they pass through. They are a special form of dietary fiber that act as fertilizer for the good bacteria in your body. Unlike other nutrients and probiotics, they can’t be harmed or threatened by heat, cold, acid, or time. This allows prebiotics to stimulate numerous health benefits, even in people who are already relatively healthy. Read More →

15 Oct

The MTHFR Gene Mutation: Why It Matters For Your Body

You probably don’t think about folate much on a regular basis. Most people know folate is some type of nutrient, but not much more. However, for people living with the MTHFR gene mutation, folate plays a very significant role in their overall health.

Even if you’ve never heard of the MTHFR gene mutation, it could potentially be affecting your health and causing your unsolved health problems. If you are showing signs of the gene mutation, are pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, the MTHFR test is a very valuable tool that can help you improve your health. Here’s what you should know!

What Is MTHFR?

MTHFR is an enzyme that helps the body use folate, also known as vitamin B9, in the way it is intended. Folate is uniquely different than its synthetic form, folic acid. Folate is critical nutrient in the body because it assists with DNA synthesis and repair, encourages cell and tissue growth, supports normal fetal development in pregnant women, and even promotes sperm viability in men. The importance of folate to a healthy body and developing baby cannot be underestimated. Read More →