Category Archives: Education

An internist is just one of the several types of primary care doctors that you have to choose from. Internists don’t just focus on one part of the life cycle or one disease. Your internist will coordinate your care and help you find healthy solutions that will improve your health and address any conditions.

But what makes a good internal doctor?

Communication

Communication is one of the most important factors when choosing a doctor. You need a doctor who will be able to communicate your diagnosis and treatment options in a way that you can understand. If you have difficulties with science related subjects, you may need a doctor that can really break things down, and not all of them are able.

When was the last time you visited a doctor and were told up front what you were being charged? Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen very often. Most doctors expect health insurance to foot the bill, and they don’t see any reason to let their patients know how much they are inflating prices for tests and procedures. 

But some patients don’t have insurance, or they have insurance but have a hard time getting certain tests or procedures approved. When that happens, patients often end up paying out of pocket. Patients with a large deductible may also be paying out of pocket for the first several visits each year.

Learning a new web app can be a bit frustrating for some, but it really is worth the effort to use our patient portal. The new patient portal was designed to help you monitor, track, and coordinate your health. Here are just a few of the benefits and features of our patient portal.

Manage your own health on your own time

The patient portal lets you see all of your scheduled appointments, your previous appointment history, and records of the reasons for a visit or the treatment administered. You can also schedule an appointment, post a question for the doctor or nurse, and request medication refills. 

In these times of crisis, it is important that we all work together for the good of the community. When everyone does their part, we can start to flatten the curve and begin making a comeback. Here are some basic things you can do to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Beware of Deliveries

You want to get as much as you can delivered, but don’t forget that whatever you have delivered has been touched by several people before it reaches you — people who are considered essential employees and have constant contact with the public. Your vigilance shouldn’t stop when it comes to the door.

Whether you think about breast cancer or the thought never crosses your mind, it’s devastating when it happens. You may not be able to avoid breast cancer, but with early treatment you have a better chance of dealing with it before it spreads. Along with mammograms and ultrasounds as needed, the best way to find problems early is to do a monthly breast exam on your own. Here’s what you need to know.

Doing a Breast Exam

You can check your breasts while taking a shower. Simply move the pads of your fingers in a circular motion from outside to inside around your entire breast. Another way is to stand in front of a mirror. Look closely at your breasts, then raise your arms high, and look again. Now, flex your chest muscles and look one more time.

Do you have a lot of pain in your joints? Do you frequently feel stiff? Have you had some recent fractures? All of these symptoms can add up to osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, or both. Learn what these conditions are, how they differ, and how to determine if you are at risk.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition that usually sets in at an older age and is typically caused by a lack of calcium in the body and the bones. Osteoporosis causes the bones in the body to become more brittle and more easily broken. This can also affect your joints because the bones of the joints can deteriorate with osteoporosis. 

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 →

Fall should be a pleasant time to enjoy the cooler weather, but for people who suffer from seasonal allergies, it’s just a period of misery. It doesn’t help that common over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications have nasty side effects and leave you feeling even worse than you did to begin with. If you want real relief, you need to consider giving alternative and natural remedies a try.

Essential Oils

Essential oils contain potent anti-inflammatory properties that can help the body fight off the histamines that produce your allergic reactions! Lavender essential oil has a number of properties that can relieve your allergy symptoms, and the chemical constituents of Peppermint essential oil also have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that soothe respiratory reactions.

Lemon and Roman Chamomile are two other essential oils that will increase blood circulation, clear away congestion, and relieve irritation. Roman Chamomile is even safe enough to use on infants when diluted! Blend these in your diffuser or dilute them and dab them on your skin in order to enjoy their benefits. Read More →

Internal medicine physicians rise to the challenge of caring for patients by providing broad and comprehensive care. Internists specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating chronic diseases while also promoting and supporting ongoing health. If you value your health and wellness, don’t overlook the importance of having an internal medicine physician on your side.

The Value of an Internist Read More →