Primary Care Services

Physicals encompass a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s health, typically involving measurement of vital signs, a review of medical history, a thorough physical examination, and potentially laboratory tests or screenings.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men & Women: Annual physical examinations are crucial for monitoring health status, detecting early signs of illness or disease, managing chronic conditions, and discussing preventive care strategies with healthcare providers.

Expectations During Visit: Expect a series of assessments: checking vital signs, evaluating medical history, discussing lifestyle factors, and possibly undergoing lab tests (like blood and urine samples). The physician may perform a head-to-toe physical examination.

Disease prevention focuses on educating individuals about healthy lifestyle choices, promoting vaccinations, recommending screenings, and providing guidance on risk reduction strategies for various health conditions.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men & Women: Disease prevention efforts are ongoing and integrated into routine check-ups. They involve discussions about maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, avoiding harmful habits, and following recommended vaccination schedules.

Expectations During Visit: Discussion about risk factors, lifestyle habits, and strategies for disease prevention. Depending on individual risk factors, the physician might suggest specific preventive measures, like immunizations, lifestyle changes, or screenings.

Blood pressure screenings involve measuring the force of blood against artery walls, typically using a cuff placed around the upper arm, to assess heart health.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men & Women: Regular screenings (at least every two years for adults) are vital for detecting hypertension early, enabling lifestyle modifications or medical intervention. Individuals with high readings or risk factors may need more frequent monitoring.

Expectations During Visit: A quick and painless procedure measuring blood pressure using a cuff around the upper arm.

Diabetes screening tests are used to measure blood sugar levels, often through fasting blood glucose tests or Hemoglobin A1C tests, to detect diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men & Women: Recommended every 3 years starting at age 45 or earlier for those with risk factors like obesity, family history, or certain ethnic backgrounds. More frequent testing may be necessary based on results and individual risk factors.

Expectations During Visit: Blood tests (like fasting blood sugar test or A1C test) are conducted to assess glucose levels.

Cholesterol screenings measure various cholesterol levels (LDL, HDL, and triglycerides) to evaluate the risk of heart disease.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men & Women: Recommended every 4 to 6 years for adults. Individuals with high risk, family history, or existing heart conditions may require more frequent testing. The test is usually performed after fasting.

Expectations During Visit: A blood test is performed to assess cholesterol levels, often requiring fasting beforehand.

Immunizations involve the administration of vaccines to prevent various infectious diseases, such as influenza, tetanus, measles, and HPV, among others.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men & Women: Vaccination schedules vary by age and risk factors. They include childhood vaccines, booster shots, and specific vaccines recommended for adults based on factors like travel or occupation.

Expectations During Visit: Discussion about vaccine schedules, followed by vaccine administration. The physician may recommend specific vaccines based on age, health, and immunization history.

Screening for infectious diseases involves tests to detect conditions like HIV, STDs, Hepatitis, and other infections. Tests might include blood, urine, or swab samples.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men & Women: Screening frequency depends on risk factors, health history, and sexual activity. Certain screenings might be recommended during routine check-ups or when symptoms arise.

Expectations During Visit: Depending on the disease being screened, it might involve blood tests, urine tests, or swabs from affected areas.

Colorectal cancer screenings aim to detect cancer or precancerous polyps in the colon or rectum. Methods include colonoscopy, fecal occult blood tests, or stool DNA tests.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men & Women: Usually starting at age 45, or earlier based on risk factors, these screenings are performed at recommended intervals to catch abnormalities early.

Expectations During Visit: Screening methods include colonoscopy, stool tests, sigmoidoscopy, or virtual colonoscopy, depending on individual risk and preference.

Lung cancer screening, typically done via low-dose CT scans, is recommended for individuals at high risk, such as long-term smokers.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men & Women: Recommended for ages 55-80 with a significant smoking history. Screening is often annual to detect potential signs of lung cancer.

Expectations During Visit: Often involves a low-dose CT scan of the chest.

Osteoporosis screening measures bone density to assess the risk of fractures due to bone weakening. It typically involves a painless and quick bone density scan.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men & Women: Recommended for postmenopausal women and older adults, especially those with risk factors such as family history, low body weight, or certain medications. Frequency depends on individual risk assessments.

Expectations During Visit: Often involves a bone density scan (DEXA scan) to measure bone mineral density.

Prostate cancer screenings aim to detect prostate cancer or abnormalities in the prostate gland. This might involve a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test and a digital rectal exam.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men: Typically discussed with a healthcare provider at around age 50 or earlier based on risk factors. It involves a discussion about risks and benefits before deciding on screening tests like PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test or digital rectal exam.

Expectations During Visit: PSA blood test and possibly a digital rectal exam. Discussion about the risks and benefits of screening, potential tests, and individual risk factors.

Cervical cancer screenings involve tests such as Pap smears or HPV tests to detect abnormal cervical cells or the presence of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Importance & Frequency:

• Women: Crucial for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer. Recommended starting at age 21 or within three years of becoming sexually active, continuing until age 65. The frequency might vary based on test results, age, and individual risk factors.

Expectations During Visit: Typically involves a Pap smear to collect cells from the cervix for examination and HPV test.

Breast cancer screenings typically involve mammograms (X-rays of the breast tissue) and clinical breast exams to detect signs of breast cancer or abnormalities.

Importance & Frequency:

• Women: Annual mammograms are generally recommended starting at age 40 or earlier based on risk factors. Clinical breast exams may also be recommended periodically.

Expectations During Visit: Involves a mammogram, which is an X-ray of the breast tissue.

Hearing tests evaluate an individual’s ability to hear different sounds and tones at varying frequencies, helping to detect hearing loss or related issues.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men & Women: Periodic screenings are based on risk factors like age, exposure to loud noises, or existing hearing issues. Frequency can vary from individual to individual.

Expectations During Visit: Includes various tests to evaluate hearing ability, often involving wearing headphones and responding to sounds or tones.

Screening for an abdominal aortic aneurysm typically involves an ultrasound to visualize the abdominal aorta and check for any enlargement or abnormalities.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men: Generally recommended for men aged 65-75 who have ever smoked. It’s typically a one-time screening for at-risk individuals.

Expectations During Visit: Ultrasound to visualize the abdominal aorta and check for any enlargement or abnormalities.

A skin examination involves a visual inspection of the skin by a healthcare professional to detect any abnormalities, including moles, lesions, or potential signs of skin cancer.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men & Women: Regular skin exams are crucial for early detection of skin cancer or other skin conditions. Self-exams are recommended monthly to monitor changes, while comprehensive exams by a dermatologist might be scheduled annually or more frequently based on individual risk factors or concerns.

Expectations During Visit: The physician will perform an examination of the skin, looking for any unusual spots or changes.

Hormone evaluation involves assessing hormone levels in the body through blood tests or other diagnostic methods to identify imbalances or deficiencies. Treatment can involve hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or other medications to address hormonal issues.

Importance & Frequency:

• Men & Women: Hormone evaluations are recommended when symptoms or conditions related to hormonal imbalances are present, such as irregular menstrual cycles, fertility issues, menopausal symptoms, or symptoms of hormone deficiency or excess. The frequency of evaluation and treatment varies widely based on individual needs, medical history, and the specific hormone being addressed.

Expectations During Visit: Discussion about symptoms, potential hormone testing, and treatment options if deemed necessary.

We offer a full suite of testing, lab, and medical services, including:

• CLIA-waived tests
• Influenza A&B
• Rapid Strep-A
• Pregnancy HCG urine
• Urinalysis
• A1c
• Blood glucose
• Rapid HIV test
• Fecal occult blood test
• RSV
• Mononucleosis
• EKG
• Spirometry
• PAP smears
• Abscess drainage
• Intra-articular injection
• Ear lavage
• IV infusions
• Nebulizer treatments
• IM injection