Family Dentistry Services: What to Expect from Family Dentists

Finding the right family dentist can be a daunting experience, especially if you do not know where to look. You benefit from using the internet or getting referrals from a friend, but that does not guarantee that you will get the right one. As family dentistry keeps getting popular, it is essential to know the traits and qualities of a good professional for the sake of your family’s dental health. Luckily, Dr. Foroud Hakim and his team at San Ramon Dental Excellence are ready to give you an insight into what a family dentistry practice looks like.

Dr. Foroud Hakim

What to expect from family dentistry services

Family dentistry is all about providing dental care for all age groups. You can go with your child and spouse to see one dentist in a single sitting. The services you can expect to get include:

Routine dental cleaning and exams

The ideal time frame for a regular dental checkup is six months. When you visit the clinic as a family, you can expect your dentist to track your oral health. During the sessions, your dentist performs regular exams such as checking your teeth for decay or damages to give you a clean bill of health. They can also teach you the health practices you need to adopt to ensure your mouth stays healthy.

Wellness dental care

Dental care is not just about identifying potential health risks and devising treatment plans to resolve your problems. It is a wellness program designed to maintain your mouth’s wellbeing, and this applies to the whole family. So when you see a family dentist, you will not have to worry about booking a separate appointment with another practice to receive advanced care such as teeth straightening or whitening.

Preventive care

The primary goal of preventing a dental problem before it arises is to save on money and other potential problems. The peace of mind knowing your mouth is healthy through proactive preventive care is better than waiting until a problem develops. A family dentist is trained to detect problems before they become severe. They can examine your family’s dental history to determine whether any disease will be passed to your oncoming generation.

Monitoring the family’s health

Scheduling appointments with a different dentist is not only time consuming, but it also prevents you from knowing your family’s health in detail. Even if you have the time and money to do so, the chances of understanding special concepts such as how children’s teeth change with age can be daunting. A family dentist ensures that your child gets all the dental care they need, thus eliminating any dental anxieties.

A family dentist could be the only person that can save your family’s oral health

Dr. Foroud and his team can vouch that being in the company of a family dentist can save your family from dental anxieties. You want to be there when your child or partner is getting examined or receiving treatment. Always make a point of having one family dentist who understands your family’s medical history in detail. To find out how a family dentist can assist you, schedule a consultation today.

How to manage pain effectively

If you are an older adult you are more prone to pain which could be anything from a dull ache to a sharp stab. Fortunately, there are effective pain management routines that could help elevate the pain and make your life comfortable. Dr. Dev Sen in Fredericksburg is a pain expert who could help develop a clinical pain management plan to complement your home pain management remedies. You should know the cause of the pain first and how it affects your body, before developing home pain-relief remedies and taking pain medications.

Dr. Dev Sen in Fredericksburg

What Could Cause Severe Pain?

Chronic pain could occur after an injury to the joint’s tendons, muscles, and connective tissues, and body bones. Medical conditions like cancer, back problems, and arthritis could cause pain. You can better manage pain if you know what causes it, and it could be prudent to treat other underlying conditions to effectively manage the pain.

How Pain Affects You

Although pain is a protective mechanism against danger, it could reduce the quality of life. Almost all parts of the body have pain receptors but the skin has lots of receptors that tell the location of the danger. Pain could numb the muscles reducing the movement of joints and thus reduce motion and ability to do everyday activities.

Home Remedies for Pain

You could adopt different non-medicine home remedies to manage your pain at home which includes:

  • Heat therapy uses either cold or hot pads to relieve you from mild and severe pain. Ice packs could reduce swelling and inflammation soon after an injury. It also numbs the area reducing more damage to the muscles and tendons thus reducing the spread of infection. Heat packs, on the other hand, help improve the blood circulation to the affected area which leads to the supply of nutrients and oxygen on the injured part and removal of toxins.
  • Physical therapies that incorporate mild movements on the joints could help improve movement. You could stretch slowly, walk, do aerobic exercises that help reduce pain and elevate your moods. It could help if you increased the pace and impact of the exercises slowly to gain complete motion and healing on the joints.
  • A massage could also help reduce pain as it is better suited for soft muscles, but you should avoid it on the pain in the joints. Although it cannot be recommended as a long term solution to pain, it helps increase motion and release muscle tension.

Pain Medications

When you have mild pain you could opt for over-the-counter medications that could relieve the pain. If the pain persists after the over-the-counter medications, you could seek the services of a pain expert. They could recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, local anesthesia, and antidepressants depending on the type of pain you have.

The Bottom Line

Pain could impair the ability to accomplish everyday activities and it could help if you learned how to control the pain effectively. A pain expert could help develop home remedies that could work for your condition. They could also recommend medications and surgeries that work well for your pain.

What to do When You Experience Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath is common, especially when you exercise regularly, but it can also be a severe health condition. In the recent past, people have been experiencing shortness of breath in Otsego due to COVID-19 complications. It makes people struggle to breathe because of insufficient airflow in the lungs.

If you experience trouble breathing and consistent tightness in your chest, ensure you seek medical help immediately. First, consider going for a COVID-19 test before you opt for other treatments. It could be an emergency, and getting tested earlier will help your doctor determine the appropriate treatment option before your condition worsens.

shortness of breath in Otsego

How does it feel to experience shortness of breath?

Shortness of breath makes you very uncomfortable when breathing. You struggle to breathe in and out because there is no airflow in your lungs, and it becomes challenging to breathe quickly. As the issue escalates, you will start drawing breath before you finish the last exhale.

You will also feel like breathing more quickly with a tight sensation in your chest since your body cannot get adequate oxygen supply. Sometimes the problem happens out of the blue and increases with time.

Shortness of Breath Due to COVID-19

Even though COVID-19 comes with different symptoms, the main one is shortness of breath. That is why it is crucial to determine the cause of breathing difficulties before visiting your doctor.

Luckily, there are multiple COVID-19 testing centers where you will know if you have contracted the virus. The testing needs specialized tools and equipment other than the regular breathing tests done in the hospital.

Remember, there are different causes of breathing difficulties, and you can only get the right treatment if you do the right test. It will be risky to seek treatment when you do not understand the cause of your breathing difficulties.

What happens during the COVID-19 test?

When you decide to go for the COVID-19 test, try as much as possible to avoid contact with other people. This is because the disease is contagious, and you do not want to infect others. Avoid using public transport and also ensure you maintain social distancing guidelines at all times.

Once you get to the testing center, a test specialist will give you a mask and ask you about how you feel and when you started experiencing shortness of breath. The specialist will ask you a few questions before you go to the test center. You will then sanitize your hands properly. Below is what happens next.

  • The healthcare worker will record your details, including your name and phone number.
  • Use a swab to take a sample in your nose and inside the back of your throat. It can be uncomfortable, but it will not take long.
  • Take the sample to the lab for testing.
  • Advise you when the results will be ready.
  • You will then drive back home and ensure you continue self-isolating.

COVID-19 is a life-threatening condition that continues to claim people’s lives. Ensure you contact your healthcare specialist as soon as you experience difficulties in breathing. The earlier you go for the test, the better it is to prevent the condition from worsening.

The Importance of Family Medicine

Family medicine is a complex medical specialty that provides continuous and comprehensive health care for individuals and their families. Family medicine involves care for patients of all ages, sexes, organ systems, and diseases. Board-certified family medicine practitioner, Dr. Leela Patel in South Charleston, offers the best primary care for you and your family at Patel & Patel, MD.

 

Principles of Family Medicine

Family medicine is based on principles that reflect its philosophy. It is a practice that is centered on the family and continuity of the doctor-patient relationship. The five fundamental principles of family medicine include:

1.  A family physician should be highly skilled.

Family medicine encompasses patients with varying backgrounds, ages, sexes, and conditions, and therefore requires broad and solid knowledge in the diagnosis and management of clinical problems. Family doctors should be equipped with critical skills like:

  • Diagnosis
  • Drug prescribing
  • Counseling
  • In-office procedures
  • Palliative care

2. Family medicine should ensure a centralized doctor-patient relationship.

A family doctor should always put the patient’s plan first by listening to their ideas, concerns, and expectations. This principle is one of the essential benefits of having a family care provider. Family medicine involves compassionate care. Through patient-centered communication and empathy, family medicine provides a comfortable environment for treatment. Family doctors are also in a better position to provide home-visits, depending on the level of your relationship & medical need. A strong doctor-patient relationship enhances accountability. Your family doctor will remind you to go for checkups, take medication, and ensure that you stick to your health plan.

3. Family medicine is a community-based discipline.

Family practitioners should always be available in case of any family health issue. This principle enables family practitioners to record your family’s medical history, enabling the provision of individualized care. Having a medical history makes diagnostic tests thorough. It is essential to choose a family doctor within your community, making it easier for them to provide emergency care. Your family doctor should know where you live and should be able to access the area quickly.

4. Family doctors act as community resources.

Family medicine should provide additional resources like health education and health promotion in the community. They should ensure that you understand all treatment options for specific diseases. Furthermore, family doctors equip you and your family with the necessary medical measures to help prevent diseases. In case of emergencies, your family doctor should be the first person you call. They are best equipped to walk you through first-aid techniques because they understand your medical history.

5. The family physician acts as a care co-coordinator.

Family medicine sometimes involves referring patients to appropriate secondary consultants. However, the family physician remains the primary care provider. They will be there to guide secondary physicians by letting them know your medical history or allergies. Although they will not be responsible for performing the actual treatments, they may assist in choosing the best treatment plan for you. Moreover, your family doctor will offer support by regularly checking up on you during recovery.

There are endless benefits of having your family doctor as your primary care provider. Visit Patel & Patel, MD, and start building your doctor-patient relationship to keep your health in prime position.

Learn Effective Tips to Cope With Menopause

Menopause marks the end of the reproductive period in a woman. Some women receive this as good news and as an indication that they will not experience the hectic menstrual cycles. However, it can also have a negative side. Menopause has unpleasant symptoms that vary in severity from one person to another.  They include brittle hair, night sweats, and mood swings, among other unfriendly difficulties. Raveco Medical practices obstetrics & gynecology in Woodside to help women manage complex reproductive problems. Book an appointment today for fast and effective treatment.

obstetrics & gynecology in Woodside

Below are some ways you can employ to cope with the side effects of menopause:

Maintain a Healthy Weight

One of the common changes that women go through during menopause is weight gain. A series of hormonal changes occur that make you gain extra pounds above the age of 45. Weight gain will affect your confidence as well as increase the risks of developing diabetes and heart diseases. Additionally, research shows that women who applied weight loss techniques had fewer night sweats and hot flashes.

Keep Hydrated

Women usually experience a decrease in estrogen levels during menopause that cause dryness in the vagina and other regions. Therefore, it is important to keep hydrated. Experts recommend that an adult should drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day. However, you may find it more helpful to increase them to 12, depending on your metabolism. Water will also aid in weight loss.

Incorporate More Foods Rich in Calcium and Vitamin D

It is common to experience bone loss during menopause as the changes that occur weaken your bones. This increases the risk of developing osteoporosis.  Taking vitamin D and calcium, on the other hand, will help restore bones to the right density and prevent fractures. You can find these nutrients from vegetables and by eating more dairy products.

Get Enough Rest

Most women experience the problem of sleepless nights during menopause, which is not healthy for their bodies. If you are a victim, you should adopt techniques that make sleep easier, such as reading books shortly before bed, massage, hot baths, and switching off electronic devices to induce a good night’s sleep. Not all techniques might work for you, so find what is best for you.

Do Not Skip Meals

Most people think that skipping meals is a preventive measure to avoid weight gain. However, skipping meals during menopause will only worsen the symptoms. Research shows that skipping meals could have a negative impact of up to 5% on weight loss.

Take More Protein Foods

Menopause is associated with loss of lean muscles that are also affected by aging. To cope with this issue, you should eat foods high in protein at least once a day to increase calories burned, slow down muscle loss, and promote weight loss.

Doctors recommend that you also spend some time outside to reduce stress levels and get some sun to help your bones. As discussed, some women experience more severe symptoms than others. If your symptoms are interfering with how you perform your routines, you should seek medical attention. Book an appointment today with Raveco Medical for a smooth menopause transition.

Efficient and Comprehensive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Care

Cardiovascular health is essential for effective blood circulation functions. A healthy lifestyle, including a nutritious diet and exercise, help reduce cardiovascular issues and prevent more severe problems. While these conditions might be fatal, seeking immediate medical assistance may be useful. Louisiana Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute is committed to providing efficient and exceptional care to improve people’s lives. The Alexandria vascular servicAlexandria vascular seres practice serves patients from the surrounding areas with the best care available for better, healthier lives. A healthy life equals a happy life. Improve and enhance your heart health today to live a quality, fulfilling life. Visit Louisiana Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute for all your cardiovascular health needs.

Alexandria vascular services

The practice excels in serving the Alexandria communities with quality and efficient care. Under the leadership of board-certified cardiovascular specialist and thoracic surgeon, Gary P. Jones, MD, FACS, the practice takes pride in providing effective diagnostic and treatment services. Dr. Jones offers compassionate and comprehensive care for cardiac and vascular health problems with his qualified and highly skilled team, including peripheral arterial disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and patent ductus arteriosus. They also offer surgical procedures for the heart, lungs, and blood vessels such as minimally invasive valve surgical services.

Louisiana Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute understands every patient is different and works with the individual patient to offer customized treatments. Besides their vascular health services, they also offer treatments for vascular health complications such as foot and leg ulcers. They also provide wound care services to reduce infections and prevent amputations. The caring team strives to meet every patient’s health needs. Dr. Jones values and respects his patients and is dedicated to giving them their best experiences for excellent results. He also ensures they feel comfortable while in his office.

They offer services and treatment for conditions such as:

Peripheral Arterial Disease

This vascular health issue usually affects the lower part of your legs. Dr Jones of Louisiana Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute offers efficient diagnoses and treatments for peripheral arterial disease. Visit them today for services you can trust.

Remote Patient Monitoring

Remote patient monitoring service is essential to keep track of your vascular health at home. Louisiana Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute offers this treatment as a form of a telehealth service to help maintain and improve your vascular health. Call or book online to schedule your appointment to learn more.

Diabetes

Diabetic patients have a higher risk of heart disease than patients without diabetes. Visit Louisiana Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute for diabetes treatments and related vascular health issues.

Vascular health issues may not seem serious, but they are the leading cause of death worldwide. Louisiana Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute provides efficient care to help improve patient’s lives. Led by Dr. Jones, the practice leads in providing the best vascular care in Louisiana. The use of advanced technology in diagnostic testing and treatments offers patients the best experiences. They strive to ensure every patient’s needs are met through personalized treatment plans. They are welcoming to both new and existing patients for comprehensive care in all cardiovascular issues. Visit them today in Alexandria, LA, for the care you deserve.

How to Deal with a Mispositioned Jaw or Teeth

Having a perfect smile can boost your confidence and raise your self-esteem. However, you can have a mispositioned jaw or teeth, which takes your perfect smile away. However, Santa Clarita Skyline Smiles orthodontic providers led by board-certified pediatric dentist Harleen Grewal, DDS, can help you regain your smile and make it better. Therefore, worry no more as this is a way to correct your mispositioned jaw or teeth. Here is how.

Santa Clarita Skyline Smiles

Understanding Orthodontics

This is a complex specialty in dentistry that involves using custom oral appliances to reposition crowded and crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw. The appliances straighten your teeth, straightening your bite and improving your smile. Additionally, with your teeth straightened, you become less likely to experience oral health complications such as gum disease and tooth decay.

The orthodontics include:

  • Creation of custom orthodontic treatment plans.
  • The diagnosis and treatment of misaligned teeth and jaw.
  • Monitoring of the jawline of children and teenagers.
  • Performing teeth straightening surgery when necessary.

Orthodontic Treatment Options

Although most people only think of braces when it comes to orthodontic treatment, several dental appliances can be used to correct your mispositioned jaw or teeth. They include the following:

Clear Aligners such as Invisalign are an excellent choice when the teeth are out of their proper position.

Metal braces that push and pull the teeth into their better position are effective in cases of aggressive movements and where a great deal of space is required.

Retainers are mainly prescribed after a major orthodontic treatment to ensure that the teeth remain in their proper position and won’t get back to their former spot.

Archwires are used with or without braces to correct tooth positioning. They are made in the shape of your dental arch and are fixed at the very beginning of your orthodontic treatment.

Mouthguards are used during sports and exercises to protect the teeth from a traumatic injury. Fitted mouthguards can become a part of any lifestyle that increases the risk of oral injuries.

Other appliances include headgear, expanders, space maintainers, oral splints, and many more.

How to Choose an Orthodontist

As noted, orthodontic care is complex and requires additional expertise from general dentistry. Therefore, it is good to be careful when choosing your provider as it would be better to have one who will attend to your needs more effectively. Consider the following:

  • Qualifications of your provider.
  • Time consciousness and the willingness of the orthodontist to accommodate your schedule.
  • Dental insurances accepted
  • Additional financing
  • Office convenience from your home
  • Who will oversee your treatment? The orthodontist or their assistants?

How to Live with Orthodontics

Different orthodontics can have some demands that can affect your life. However, it is necessary to maintain oral health no matter what it takes during the orthodontic treatment. This is to increase efficiency and prevent any further complications that can be a result of the appliances.

You can maintain good oral hygiene during your treatment through:

  • Avoiding certain types of foods, depending on the type of treatment you are undergoing. In most cases, it is good to avoid decay-promoting foods.
  • Improve your diet by taking a healthy diet that can promote your teeth and gum health
  • Brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day
  • Floss every day
  • Avoid certain types of toothpaste such as whitening toothpaste and use special toothpaste depending on your treatment

If you have a mispositioned jaw or teeth, the orthodontic specialists at Skyline Smiles can help you. Begin your smile restoration process by scheduling an appointment now.

Importance of an Annual Physical Exam

Your family doctor can advise you to get a physical exam every year as it is a crucial step in collecting health data. If your doctor does not recommend the procedure you could ask them yourself and you could get a physical exam in Fort Worth from expert family doctors near you. You could take the physical exam annually as it could act as an intervention and prevention for different health issues.

How Important is an Annual Physical Exam to Your Health

What Is a Physical Examination?

A physical exam is a wellness check that involves routine tests performed by a primary caregiver. The tests help know your health status and it does not necessarily need you to be sick to get the tests done. It is an opportunity for you to discuss with your caregiver any changes and possible health problems. The tests will be conducted at your primary care-givers office and depending on your age and medical history the primary caregiver could recommend additional tests. You can discuss any symptoms and pain with your doctor and get treated for any disease.

Why an Annual Physical Exam Is Necessary

Although you could think that you are in perfect health, your health status can only be determined by your caregiver. The physical exams could help.

  • The tests check for possible diseases and help you treat the conditions at an early stage thus helping you manage them effectively.
  • You could identify issues that could develop into medical concerns in the future and deal with them at the budding stage.
  • When getting a physical exam done you could update any necessary immunizations
  • It also helps you build a positive relationship with your primary caregiver
  • The examinations could help you develop an effective diet and exercise routine

What to Expect When Going for a Physical Exam

Your primary caregiver would ask about your health including all the medications you are taking, and all over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. You could tell your doctor all the symptoms and pain for adequate treatment of existing conditions. You could also reveal results from recent and relevant tests and any surgical history. You could reveal any devices like pacemakers, and you could show your doctor the copy of the device. If you have any health-related questions it could be better to ask them during your physical examination appointment.

How the Procedure Is Performed

  • The doctor will examine the body for any changes such as moles that were not recorded in the previous physical examination.
  • You could then lie down and allow the doctor to feel the abdomen and other body parts while inspecting for consistency, location, tenderness, and texture of individual body organs.
  • They could also use a stethoscope to listen to the heartbeat, lungs, and intestines.
  • The caregiver could then tap the body to discover fluids in areas where fluids should not be while locating borders between body organs.
  • Your doctor could then check your weight, height, pulse, and BMI

The Bottom Line

Even if you are in the best health it could help to get a physical exam that helps you get any underlying health conditions and treat them adequately. It could help to answer all the questions asked by your primary caregiver during the appointment to get the best from your physical exam appointment.