Family doctors are responsible for providing primary care to their patients. They provide common illnesses, perform physical examinations, and schedule lab tests. Family doctors must specialize to become board-certified family practitioners (family doctors), but they also can specialize further into fields such as oncology or pediatrics. While many individuals may believe that a family doctor is not as valued as a specialist, research shows otherwise. Many people often wonder what conditions a family doctor can treat. If you wonder how Dr. Kalpana Desai, an experienced family medicine physician, can help you, you have come to the right place.
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Hormone Replacement Therapy
The ability to provide hormone replacement therapy for women entering menopause is one of the most valuable services a family doctor can offer. In addition to helping relieve some of the symptoms associated with menopause, hormone replacement therapy has been shown to decrease the risk of osteoporosis and heart attack in postmenopausal women. If you are considering hormone replacement therapy to get relief from the symptoms of menopause, be sure to tell your doctor. They can help you determine if it is safe and appropriate for your specific condition.
Flu Shots
It is vital to get the flu shot every year because there are several strains of influenza. The vaccine can help reduce your chance of catching the virus by 60%. For this reason, it’s crucial for anyone six months or older to get vaccinated against the flu each year. Most insurance plans cover annual vaccinations, so you won’t have to worry about paying out-of-pocket.
Diabetes Management
Family doctors are well-qualified to help treat patients with diabetes. They can monitor your condition, make adjustments to your insulin regimen as needed, and may even prescribe medication for you if necessary. For many people living with diabetes, monitoring their blood sugar levels at home is critical to staying healthy. Family doctors may offer you the technology that you need to monitor your blood sugar levels in your own home.
Preventative Health Care
One of the essential services that a family doctor can provide is preventative health care. You should never stop seeing a family doctor even after finding relief from common symptoms or conditions. They are well-qualified to perform regular examinations and health screenings. For example, a family doctor can identify cancerous tumors before becoming a severe or fatal threat. Annual physical examinations are the best way to stay healthy and monitor for signs of disease.
Post-Surgery Care
Family doctors are capable of caring for patients following surgery. In addition to providing post-surgical care, your doctor will also be able to monitor your recovery and prescribe medication if you are in pain. After surgery, your body will be under a lot of stress. It’s essential to ensure that you aren’t experiencing any severe complications related to your surgery. Family doctors can provide the kind of care you need after undergoing surgery so that you can make a full recovery as quickly as possible.
In summary, family doctors have a wide range of specialties and training that make them uniquely qualified to provide various services to their patients. They can provide hormone replacement therapy for women, flu shots, diabetes management with insulin and oral medication, regular preventative health screenings to detect disease early, post-surgery care so you can heal properly and quickly, and much more.
