To stay healthy, you don’t just visit a doctor whenever you are sick. You should also manage your health by eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, and maintaining a good relationship with a family doctor. A doctor will not just diagnose and treat illnesses but also offer different healthcare services such as health screenings, immunizations, and care for chronic conditions. Knowing when to see a family doctor that can treat you for all your general health needs like Treasure Valley Family Medicine in Meridian starts by understanding who family doctors really are.
Who are Family Doctors?
A family doctor cares for you and your family throughout life. They are a primary care provider who can also focus on their patients’ overall health and well-being. They are trained to offer comprehensive medical care to family members, no matter their age, medical issue, and gender. Your family doctor can manage a lot of health conditions, guide you to specialists if necessary and help you maintain good health.
In addition, a family doctor offers women’s health services for each stage of life, such as prenatal and obstetrical care as well as pediatric care. They deeply understand the medical history of your family.
When to See a Family Doctor
Even if you and your family members are in perfect health, you should visit your family doctor for annual checkups. During these visits, the doctor will examine any new diagnosis in the family history and give anticipatory guidance. Also, they ask about changes to personal habits such as whether or not you have been as physically active as last year. Your doctor can also help with mental health problems. For instance, they can offer long-term psychiatric care if you or a family member has uncomplicated mood disorders like mild depression.
If you are thinking about seeing a specialist, you should consult with your family doctor first. The latter might be able to offer the care you need. But if your family doctor determines you must see a specialist, they can refer you to one. They will make sure you visit the right specialist.
How often you should visit a family doctor depends on your health. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or hypertension, you may need to make frequent visits. Examples of health conditions your family doctor can treat include bronchitis, allergies, asthma, whiplash, tonsilitis, strep throat, flu, back pain, digestive issues, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as minor injuries like animal bites strains, sprains, and burns.
