The Importance of Family Medicine

Family medicine

Having access to health care is a basic human requirement. Health care services are crucial in maintaining and promoting health, managing and preventing diseases, and reducing unnecessary disability. Through quality health care, a long life can be achieved. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that medicine is incorporated into a family setting. At Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C., thorough primary health care practices ranging from children to adults are provided for every member of your family. The facility’s team of board-certified practitioners who are trained and empowered, including Peter Wenger MD, deliver quality primary health care services following their comprehensive understanding of family medicine.

About Family Medicine

Family medicine is a method of providing primary health care for both adults and children. Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. is well equipped in both pediatric health care for children aged 4 years and above and internal medicine for grown-ups.

A Family’s Primary Health Care Provision

Your family’s main health care contact is the one that handles all its primary health care needs, whether urgent or routine.

Services Offered

In case you have a medical inquiry, problem, or emergency, Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. offers precise patient scheduling, support, education, and a wide range of health care services. Examples of services offered by the institution care for arthritis, diabetes care, respiratory care, annual physicals, high blood pressure, pain management, weight loss management, women’s health care, adolescent health care, mental health care, pediatrics health care, and sports medicine.

Benefits of Family Medicine

Having a specific primary health care provider guarantees accountability, as there is constant monitoring of you and your family’s health by the practitioners who remain concerned about your well-being.

Another advantage is that it is easier to build a relationship with the practitioners who, in the event of any health problem, are ready to provide advice and support to you and your loved ones.

Primary health care providers make it easier to keep tabs on you and your family’s medical history records and any special needs. Through this, it is easier to be prepared for future risks and ultimately prevent them. It also makes it easy to prescribe the most suitable treatment without the worry of a drug interaction.

At Princeton Sports and Family Medicine P.C., providing great care is their number one priority. That is why they strive to keep the daily number of patients low. This helps in the dedication of ample time for each patient’s session with a practitioner.

In conclusion, the world is moving towards new, ambitious, and exciting goals for health which is to ensure that everyone of all ages in all places has access to health care. For sustainable development, physical well-being is important. One way to achieve this is through primary health care, which is the cornerstone of health systems, ensuring people remain healthy at all times and access care when they need it. Through a primary health care system, you and your family will be connected with trusted practitioners and a strong support system.

Connect your family to the best providers of primary family medicine by contacting Princeton Sports and Family Medicine to book an appointment.

Did You Know About Eating Disorders? Let Us Find Out

Many diseases can affect people during their lifetime. Eating disorders are examples of disorders that affect human beings across the world. They are a result of physiological issues that affect your eating habits. Although these eating disorders affect both genders, teenage girls are most affected. Eating disorders are caused by mental conditions marked by an obsession with food and body shape. Huntington Beach eating disorder specialists at Genesis Behavioral Health are trained in providing help to those suffering from eating disorders. Below are examples of eating problems and their symptoms treatable by the health care providers.

Huntington Beach eating disorder

Top Three Common Eating Disorders and Their Symptoms

  • Binge eating disorder. It is the most common eating disorder that affects teenagers. This problem can also develop in their early adulthood. Patients suffering from binge disorder eat a large amount of food, and they cannot control the habit. Symptoms include:
  • Eating a large amount of food frequently, despite not feeling hungry.
  • Feeling distressed when you think about binge eating behaviour.
  • Lack of eating control, frequently eating without getting satisfied.
  • Bulimia nervosa. This disorder develops during teenage and adulthood, and it affects women more than men. Bulimia is an emotional disorder associated with body image distortion.  It occurs when a person binges on extreme amounts of food, followed by guilt, and then self-induced vomiting, purging, or fasting. Symptoms include:
  • Fear of becoming overweight
  • Lack of control in your recurrent eating habit
  • Low self-esteem influence by body shape and weight

Other effects of bulimia nervosa include swollen salivary glands, tooth decay, hormonal disturbances, and worn teeth enamel.

  • Anorexia nervosa. Anorexia is the most known eating disorder. It affects women more than men and mostly occurs during the teenage and adult life stages. The patients suffering from anorexia nervosa experience a distorted body image and a fear of being overweight. Symptoms include:
  • Attempting to maintain a below average body weight through starvation
  • Compulsive exercising
  • Fear of becoming overweight despite being underweight
  • Severe anorexia can result in brain and heart problems, multi-organ failure, and also death.

Treatment and Control of Eating Disorders

The method of treatment or control is determined by the type of disorder you are suffering. Most treatment includes medication, therapy, and educational schedules. Your doctor helps you understand your eating disorder and how you can maintain healthy eating habits. Nutritional education involves taking steps to avoid dieting and binging, practicing meal plans, working towards a healthy weight, and others.

Medication control works well when combined with physiological therapy. Vitamin-based pills are used to increase your appetite to treat anorexia nervosa. Antidepressants are also used to treat binge and purging behavior. Other steps like hospitalization can be taken according to the severity of your disorder.

Every disorder can become severe when not treated at its early stages. It is vital to choose an experienced doctor for examination and treatment. Specialists at Genesis New Beginning conduct excellent therapies according to the type of your eating disorder.

What You Should Know About Pediatric Dermatology

When your child has a skin condition that makes both of you uncomfortable, it’s essential to have a dermatology specialist who you can reach out to. Bowling Green pediatric dermatology is experienced in all types of skin conditions, including diaper rashes, infantile hemangiomas, eczema, and skin growths.        Bowling Green pediatric dermatology

What Does Pediatric Dermatology Treatment Include? 

Pediatric dermatology deals with any conditions or issues affecting your child’s skin, hair, or nails. People are surprised to learn how birthmarks, skin growths, and common moles like infantile hemangiomas can be in young children and babies. However, these issues are easy to treat effectively with the help of the child’s dermatologist.       

What Is The Treatment For Severe Diaper Rash?

The best treatment for diaper rash is to keep the baby’s skin dry and clean all the time. Suppose the baby’s diaper rash does not seize despite home treatment. In that case, the doctor may prescribe mild hydrocortisone cream, topical or oral antibiotics, if your baby has a bacterial infection.

Use ointments or steroids only if your baby’s dermatologist or pediatrician recommends them. Frequent or intense steroids use can lead to additional problems. Diaper rashes require several days to improve, and the rash might come back repeatedly.

What Is The Treatment For Infantile Hemangiomas?

Infantile hemangiomas are birthmarks consisting of blood vessels. Your child’s dermatologist or pediatrician and hematologist surgeon will care for your child’s hemangioma. Most hemangiomas go away without treatment. Those that need special treatment are managed by a specialist. Most hemangiomas that require treatment are treated with medicines called beta-blockers.

Propranolol is a beta-blocker that is allowed by drug and food administration to treat infantile hemangioma. Propranolol is present in liquid form and has been proven to shrink infantile hemangioma.

Timolol is another beta-blocker and is available as an eye drop. It is used to treat thin, small, infantile hemangiomas and is directly applied to the skin’s hemangioma surface.

What Is The Treatment Of Eczema?

Eczema is a condition where patches of the skin become itchy, inflamed, rough, and cracked. It’s a frustrating skin condition, and it’s essential to work closely with your doctor to get a solution to controlling the rashes and itching. It’s mostly referred to as atopic dermatitis.

Dermatitis refers to skin inflammation, while atopic is a collection of conditions that involve the immune system. Eczema treatment has four essential goals, to heal the skin, control the itch, prevent infection, and prevent flares.

Certain foods, such as dairy and nuts, can trigger the symptoms. Eczema is not contagious. Some people continue with the condition throughout adulthood, while others outgrow it. Depending on the severity and type of eczema, treatments include prescription medication, over-the-counter remedies, and lifestyle changes. Treatment also depends on your age and medical history.

When your child develops a skin condition, visit a dermatologist to determine the cause and treatment as early as possible. At Kentucky Skin Cancer Center, we have experienced pediatric dermatologists to deal with all children’s skin conditions. Come and book an appointment with us and be assured of better results.

Psychotherapy: What does it entail?

Psychotherapy is presented in many forms that have proven to help people struggling with mental illness. If you are looking for a therapist in Uptown, Uptown Psych offers varied psychotherapy services to help you and your loved ones handle any mental health issue or disorder. By attending psychotherapy sessions, and trusting licensed psychotherapy professionals, you can get help with battling mental health issues.

Psychotherapy

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is referred to as talk therapy. It’s a method used to help people with mental illness. It helps eliminate symptoms and increase your health and wellbeing. During psychotherapy, you learn more about your feelings, moods, behaviors, and thoughts. It helps you know how to take control of your life.

Psychotherapy problems include the impact of trauma, illness, or medical loss, like losing a loved one; and mental disorders, like anxiety or depression.

Benefits of Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy assists people with mental problems to:

  • Comprehend the emotions, behaviors, and ideas that cause his or her illness and know how to modify them
  • Identify life events and problems, like a death in the family, a divorce, major illness, or loss of a job, which magnifies your condition, then helps you understand the aspects of these problems you may improve

Types of Psychotherapy

Behavioral therapy. It’s a form of psychotherapy that tests how thoughts and beliefs are connected to feelings and behaviors. It teaches skills that preserve your style of thinking and action to help you deal with difficult situations.

Cognitive analytical therapy. It uses techniques from psychodynamic psychotherapy to learn how to improve it through experimentation.

Interpersonal psychotherapy. Involves how an illness can be activated by proceedings involving relationships with other people, such as relocation or disputes. It helps you manage your feelings involved and work out coping strategies.

Humanistic therapy. This type of psychotherapy inspires you to think about yourself positively and focus on improving self-awareness.

Family and couple therapy. Therapy with your loved ones focuses on helping you solve problems together.

Tips for Effective Psychotherapy

Be open and honest. Successful therapy depends on your readiness to share your feelings, thoughts, and experiences and consider new ideas, insights, and ways of doing things. You don’t have to refuse opening up on specific issues due to embarrassment, fears, and painful emotions; let your therapist know.

Stick to your treatment plan. If you feel weak or lack motivation, you may be tempted to skip psychotherapy sessions or not implement what you have learned into your life. Missing therapy may delay your progress.

Don’t expect an instant result. Solving emotional issues can be painful and require hard work. You may need several sessions before you notice any improvement.

Do your homework between sessions. If you are asked to write down your thoughts in a journal or do activities outside therapy sessions, obey. The assignment can help you apply them in real life.

If you are having psychological disorder symptoms, you can benefit from an assessment from an experienced psychotherapist qualified to diagnose, assess, and treat mental health issues. The Uptown Psych team of therapists focuses on helping you through your dark times until you’re out of psychotherapy: happier and healthier.

Comprehensive Eye and Vision Exams in Georgia

The eye is a susceptible organ, hence blurred or obscured vision should raise concerns. To receive quality care, you need to seek care from highly skilled specialists. Atlanta eye exams are available at Atlanta Vision Cataract & Laser Center from qualified and caring professionals. They are welcoming all patients from Atlanta, East Point, Hapeville, and College Park, Georgia. Request an appointment by calling the office or book online to learn more about the practice.

If you live in Atlanta, eye exams

Why Get a Yearly Vision Exam?

Atlanta Vision Cataract & Laser Center is a family healthcare practice offering exceptional service. Routine and preventative eye exams are essential to maintain perfect eye health. In most cases, eye and vision issues will not show clear signs or symptoms but can be easily detected by a certified optometrist.

If the conditions are diagnosed early enough, Dr. David O’Day or Dr. Leonard Achiron will offer various treatments to prevent or restore vision loss. According to the American Optometric Association, regardless of whether you are at-risk or not, everyone should get an annual or bi-annual eye and vision exam.

What to Expect During an Eye Exam?

During a visit, your optometrist will inquire about any issues or symptoms you might be experiencing, if you are on medication, experiencing blurred vision, your working environment, and overall health. Family background and past eye or vision problems are also part of the examination. Your provider uses all this information when designing a custom treatment plan.

Regular vision evaluation and testing eliminate many risks of experiencing eye problems. At the center, the optometrists offer regular vision acuity testing, using a wall eye and reading chart as part of the extensive eye exam. These results are shown in fraction form, with 20/20 being the standard measure. Depending on one’s test results, the doctor may recommend eye exercises, contacts, or corrective glasses.

Aside from vision testing, the eye exam will also include eye functionality testing. The exceptional optometrists will conduct multiple tests to determine the color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, responsiveness to light, and eye muscle strength. Other tests may also be performed to determine if the eyes are focusing, moving, or working correctly. Through these tests, your optometrist can understand what hidden conditions might be affecting your eyes’ ability to work together or focus.

Moreover, the optometrists at Atlanta Vision Cataract & Laser Center use tonometry and visual examination to evaluate your eyes’ overall health. This procedure is performed using a bright light and magnification. To access the eyes’ inner structures, your optometrist may dilate the pupils. The tonometry measures eye pressure to evaluate chances of increased pressure in the eyes, as it may be a sign of glaucoma. Once all these tests are done, the results are reviewed and discussed with patients to determine the right treatment plan.

What are the Alternatives to Eye Dilation?

Most patients dislike having their eyes dilated. Thus, the Atlanta Vision Cataract & Laser Center incorporates the latest Optos technology. This device has a retinal scanner that uses different laser wavelengths and mirrors, which captures the back of the retina without dilating the iris. Compared to conventional techniques where the optometrist could only view a small piece per time, with the Optos technology, you can clearly view the entire retina at a glance.

In conclusion, Atlanta Vision Cataract & Laser Center is a state-of-the-art eye care practice. The advanced Optos technology makes eye exams more effective and quicker. To find out more about the center and how you can benefit from their services, visit their website or call to request an appointment today.

Comprehensive Dermatology Care with Melasma Specialists in Virginia

Are you noticing uneven discoloration patches on your skin? You are probably suffering from melasma. Although harmless, melasma can be quite frustrating and embarrassing. Fortunately, Dr. Patricia O’Connor, MD, of Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center and her team of dermatology specialists’ offer professional diagnosis and treatment of melasma in Glen Allen, Virginia. The practice takes a multidisciplinary approach to treating this stubborn skin problem.  Get started today by calling Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center.

melasma in Glen Allen

What Is Melasma?

Melasma is the condition that leaves colored, dark spots on your skin, especially around your mouth and eyes. Even though it causes no physical harm, it can affect your aesthetics, thus taking a toll on most people’s self-confidence. This condition is prevalent in pregnant women, often referred to as ‘mask of pregnancy’ or chloasma.

What Is the Cause of Melasma?

There is no single or continuous cause of melasma. Particular risk factors make one more likely to develop this condition, such as a darker skin tone, sun exposure, and upsurge in hormones, maybe because of oral contraceptive pills or pregnancy. This condition is more common in women than men, as highlighted by the American Academy of Dermatology.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Melasma?

The spotty discolorations on one’s skin because of melasma are generally darker compared to your usual skin color. These spots are more prevalent around the face, especially on your cheeks, chin, bridges of your nose, and forehead. These spots are often symmetrical, with pattern marks appearing on both sides of your face. Melasma may also develop on your forearms, neck, or other areas on your body that has been exposed to sunlight.

How to Diagnose Melasma?

The dermatology specialists at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center usually diagnose melasma through a simple visual exam. Your provider may also perform additional tests to rule out any other cause of your hyperpigmentation.

One standard test is the Wood’s lamp examination that involves shining a particular light on your skin. This light allows your doctor to evaluate if you have any fungal or bacterial infections, which may cause your discoloration. This test also enables your provider to determine how many layers of your skin are affected by melasma. If necessary, your specialist may also conduct a biopsy on the discolored area to ensure there is no other underlying condition.

What to Expect with Melasma Treatment?

In some instances, melasma may disappear on its own, mainly if it’s not caused by hormonal changes resulting from pregnancy or contraception. Nevertheless, if your melasma won’t go away by itself, there are alternative treatment options. Your specialist may use a combination of the following: chemical peels, topical steroids, creams to lighten your skin, dermabrasion, and microdermabrasion. To obtain optimal results, all skincare therapies should be used in conjunction with broad-spectrum SPF30+ sunscreen daily.

That said, Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center is a comprehensive cosmetic care center. Dr. O’Connor and her team develop customized treatment plans for all patients. Schedule an appointment with your select dermatology specialist today by calling the office or booking online.

Teeth Whitening Aftercare Guide

Teeth discoloration can be quite embarrassing for you, especially in severe cases. However, the good news is that with teeth whitening, you don’t have to live with the shame. Getting a qualified dentist in Chandler is one step towards reclaiming your set of pearly whites. Chandler teeth whitening specialists will advise you on the best dental practices to adopt.

After the procedure, it is advisable to stick within the recommended foods and drinks to keep your smile looking its best. Otherwise, you may further cause discoloration and more exposure to your teeth dentin layer.

1. What to Avoid

The first week following your teeth whitening procedure play an integral role in the outcome of the treatment. Therefore, you should steer clear from specific foods that can jeopardize the end goals. For instance, coffee, dark chocolate, and even dark sauces are a no-go zone. Acidic foods are also off limits.

After teeth whitening, your enamel weakens. Therefore, when you take acid-rich foods such as oranges and lemons, your mouth pH lowers. Consequently, your teeth become more sensitive and may also tend to become painful.

You should also avoid juices and carbonated drinks like Coke. Smoking is also not recommended, as nicotine can stain your teeth.

Avoid foods with high oil content. They will leave grease on your teeth, giving them an unpleasant stain. Extremely hot or cold foodstuffs may also cause pain with your increased teeth sensitivity.

2. What to Eat

A white diet is highly advisable to maintain the longevity of your teeth whitening procedure. You can also peel fruits and snack on them, like an apple. Most importantly, if you feel the irresistible urge to take a drink that deviates from the white diet, you can drink using a straw. It helps minimize the risk of coming into contact with your teeth, discoloring them in the process.

Furthermore, increase your water and milk consumption. Water can be sparkling or still. Other drinks you can consume include lemonade, non-alcoholic cocktails, and also coconut water. A white diet has a reduced risk of pigmentation on your enamel. Therefore, avoid deep-colored foods at all costs.

A white diet can include bananas, egg white, white yogurt, noodles, peeled potatoes, cauliflower, and rice pudding.

Furthermore, it is also advisable to avoid dark-colored foods hours before your procedure. Such finds can reduce the optimum results you would expect after treatment. Cold items, like your favorite blueberry ice cream, are also not ideal for you after the process.

Here’s a simple life hack to help you after your teeth whitening. Take a white piece of cloth. Pour a portion of the food or drink you want to consume. If it leaves a stain on the cloth, avoid it for the time being.

Most importantly, remember that to enhance the longevity of your results it is essential to continue with proper dental care. When you consume dark foods, always remember to brush your teeth immediately after. However, use white toothpaste and clear colored mouthwash as well.

Varicose Treatment Options For You

Varicose veins condition is an enlargement of veins, mostly affecting the legs and feet. It can be visible or invisible as some people experience the symptoms even without seeing the veins. Although they are disfiguring and painful, they are harmless. However, if not adequately treated, they can hinder circulation and lead to other severe complications such as swollen ankles and open sores.

varicose veins in El Paso

Symptoms of Varicose Vein

Board-certified general surgeon Atur Kasha, DO, leads a team of expertise at Desert West Vein & Surgery Center to eliminate varicose veins in El Paso. Dr. Kasha and the team evaluate your condition’s symptoms to design the most effective treatment option for you. If you have a varicose vein, you may experience the following:

  • Protruding twisted veins
  • Dark purple or blue veins
  • Aching leg pain
  • Bulging, cord-like veins
  • Swelling
  • Heavy legs
  • Skin discoloration
  • Burning, itching, or throbbing
  • Muscle cramping
  • Pain after sitting or standing

Spider veins can be tiny versions of varicose veins as they are similar, only smaller. They are often blue or red and appear close to the skin surface. There are self-care tips such as wearing compression stockings, elevating your legs, or exercises that can help you remedy the varicose vein symptoms. However, you should seek expert attention before trying out any of this.

Varicose Vein Risk Factors

Several factors increase your chances of developing varicose vein and include:

  • The natural aging process puts wear and tear on veins, affecting blood flow and circulation.
  • Gender is also a risk factor for varicose veins as women are more likely to be affected than men. This can be due to many hormonal activities and changes in a woman’s life.
  • Obesity puts added pressure on your veins and can cause varicose vein symptoms.
  • Genetics plays a part in varicose vein development. There is a greater chance to have the complication if other family members were affected too.
  • Some standing or sitting postures may not allow your blood to flow appropriately, posing a threat to the varicose vein.

Treatment Options

Varicose veins can be eliminated to optimize the quality of your life. After diagnosis, a comprehensive approach can be taken through the following varicose vein treatment options.

Radiofrequency Ablation

It involves the use of high radiofrequency waves to target and close the affected veins. The blood is rerouted to nearby healthier veins reducing some of the symptoms. It is an effective procedure as the risks of bruising and bleeding are minimized.

Sclerotherapy

This involves the use of a particular ultra-guided foam solution to make the veins fade away gradually. The solution is injected directly into the affected veins.

VenaSeal™

This involves delivering little amounts of adhesive into the veins through a minimally invasive procedure. The bond closes the veins rerouting the blood into healthier veins.

Lifestyle changes

Several lifestyle changes can be recommended to lower the risks of developing varicose veins and also to control some of the symptoms. For example, losing weight can reduce obesity, and elevating your legs improves blood flow in the veins. Besides, lifestyle changes can be used to complement other options to optimize the results.

Varicose veins may not need treatment for health reasons. However, when the symptoms are of concern, and you experience considerable discomfort, please don’t hesitate to contact the Desert West Vein & Surgery Center team led by Dr. Kasha for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.