If you are an adult, you should have a primary care provider (PCP). Your primary care doctor can provide you with many services that can improve your health and quality of life – and even extend your life.
If it has been a while since you last saw your primary care doctor, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. In this blog, we will talk about the best times to schedule a primary care visit.
When You Are Experiencing Unusual Symptoms
If you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms that may be indicative of a serious health condition, it is important to see your primary care doctor, so they can evaluate you, order diagnostic tests, and provide appropriate treatment, if necessary. It’s time for a primary care visit if you feel pain, a lump somewhere in your body, bleeding and changes in your bowel movements, and loss of appetite. Primary care doctors can also refer you to the right specialist, however, many conditions can be treated at the primary level.
When Your Chronic Medical Condition Is Impacting Your Life
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic health condition, it is important to see your primary care doctor on a regular basis to ensure that the condition is being properly managed and to catch any potential complications early on. The goal of chronic disease management is to prevent the worsening of the condition and control symptoms, so they do not interfere with your daily life. This is one primary care service that many patients don’t know they can get from their PCP.
For Preventive Care Services
Primary care doctors not only treat acute medical conditions and help patients manage chronic diseases, but they also provide preventive care services. The goal is to prevent the progression of diseases by detecting them in their early stages. Vaccinations and immunizations, health screenings, annual exams, and wellness checks are provided by primary care doctors, too. Therefore, even if you are generally healthy, it is still important to see your primary care doctor for preventive care visits on a regular basis. These visits allow your doctor to check on your overall health, provide screenings for conditions such as cancer or heart disease, and offer advice on how to maintain good health going forward.
Schedule Your Primary Care Visit Now
If you are looking for a primary care doctor in Sarasota or Lakewood Ranch, FL, choose Intercoastal Medical Group. We are a large, multi-specialty practice with many highly qualified medical providers on our team. In addition to providing the highest quality primary care services, we also provide specialized treatments for cardiovascular disease, allergies, asthma, respiratory disease, gynecological conditions, orthopedic injuries and diseases, and more. Make us your primary care provider and experience compassionate, patient-centric care. We have several locations in Bradenton and Sarasota.
To schedule an appointment with one of our primary care doctors, call our office nearest you – our friendly staff will help you choose the right internal medicine doctor or family medicine doctor for your needs – or use our convenient online appointment request form.