I was asked recently why someone that is overall currently healthy needs a primary care doctor, so I thought I’d make up a list.
Reasons you need a primary care doctor:
1. Treatment of current chronic health issues – This one is easy. You have certain chronic issues which need prescription medications to treat; in most cases, this comes from your primary doctor.
2. Treatment of acute health complaints – You get sick/get a rash/urinary tract infection/infected cut and need either to see someone or a prescription called out. Who better than the doctor that knows you, your history, and your allergies?
3. Monitoring for chronic diseases – The good news is that high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol (which all can contribute to heart disease) are all treatable… the bad news is that they often are asymptomatic, meaning you won’t know about them unless you are checked.
4. Maintenance of preventative health medicine – There are a lot of tests/procedures/immunizations that can prevent disease from occurring (always best); let us manage these for you.
5. Counseling about health – On an average visit, counseling about general health tips (diet, exercise, how to stop smoking, etc.) can be a way to really significantly impact your health without having to take a medication.
6. Management of specialists – You may see several doctors already, and they may not always agree on what is best for your health. Let us be your quarterback.