4 Reasons To See Your Primary Care Physician

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One of the keys to good health is having a primary care physician who you can see for treatment. When it comes to primary care physicians, you can choose from either a family practitioner or an internal medicine physician. Both types of physicians are very similar — the main difference is the fact that a family practitioner can treat both children and adults, while an internal medicine physician focuses on providing primary care for adults. Whether you see a family practitioner or an internal medicine physician, some of the top reasons to make an appointment with your doctor include:

Physical Exam

Even if you're feeling great, it is very important to see your primary care physician for an annual physical. During a physical, your doctor will do a full exam and will most likely do a blood draw that will be sent to a laboratory for testing. The results of your physical and blood test can uncover potential health issues that you may not be aware of. Your primary care physician will work with you to implement lifestyle changes and prescribe medication as needed to help prevent health issues from manifesting or becoming a major issue.

Manage Chronic Conditions

Many people have chronic health problems, and when they are not kept under control, they can make a person very sick and land him or her in the hospital. Common chronic health problems, such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, need to be monitored closely by a primary care physician. In addition to helping you feel better, seeing your primary care physician for treatment for chronic conditions is much less expensive than having to see specialists or spend time in the hospital due to complications from an unmanaged chronic health problem.

Sick Visits

When you have a trusted primary care physician, you can count on him or her to see you promptly when you are ill. Whether you think you have the flu or you have the symptoms of strep throat, a very high fever,  a urinary tract infection, or back pain, your doctor will analyze your symptoms and come up with a treatment plan to help you feel better. Being able to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician when you are ill is much more convenient and cost-effective than going to an urgent care clinic or the E.R.

Referrals

Primary care physicians have a very wide knowledge base, so they are familiar with all systems of the body and the different types of conditions and illnesses that a person can develop. When you need specialized care, your primary care physician will evaluate your symptoms and refer you to the right specialist. If you have an HMO medical insurance plan, you will most likely need to see your primary care physician for a referral before your insurance company will cover the cost of seeing a specialist. 

25 October 2017