The New Year is a Great Time to See Your Primary Care Specialist

It’s a new year and the perfect time to make your health and wellness a top priority. But when it comes to health, prevention is the best treatment. For example, more than 133 million Americans live with chronic illness, but only half receive the care they need. Most of these chronic conditions could have been caught with a simple trip to their primary care specialist. 

At Nashville Family Medical Clinic, we understand the essential role primary care visits play in maintaining your overall health. As a board-certified internist, Dr. Said Attoussi offers comprehensive care to our patients in Nashville, Tennessee. We know that early detection with primary care can mean the difference between reversing a problem at the start and the development of a more problematic condition. 

Our team has curated this informative guide to help you understand why it’s important to prioritize a visit to your primary care specialist this year. Read on to learn more! 

What is primary care?

Simply put, primary care is preventive care. It’s true you may see a primary care doctor to treat many common viruses, diseases, and health conditions. But your primary care specialist’s most important role is to help keep you healthy by monitoring your wellness and providing essential screenings. 

Your primary care doctor also plays an important role in patient education, working with you to help prevent chronic diseases through lifestyle changes, offering health counseling when necessary, and making sure you’re on target to meet your wellness goals based on your health and age.

What can I expect during a primary care visit?

During a primary care visit at Nashville Family Medical Clinic, Dr. Attoussi reviews your medical history and asks about any medications or drugs you take. He also asks you about any past illnesses, surgeries, or other medical conditions. 

Dr. Attousi completes a physical exam, including listening to your heart and lungs and looking in your ears, eyes, nose, and throat. Your vital signs are recorded, and if you need immunizations or a flu shot, you can get them during your visit.

Since Dr. Attousi customizes care based on your unique needs, depending on your age, gender, and other relevant factors, you may also receive important health screenings, like a prostate cancer screening for men over 50 or a pap smear to screen for cervical cancer in women.  

Why is seeing my primary care specialist important?

There are numerous reasons to see your primary care specialist in the new year. We’ve gathered information on our top three to explain the importance of routine primary care.

1. Primary care visits can detect dangerous, symptom-free conditions

Many potentially dangerous diseases don’t come with early warning signs. For example, the “silent killer,” hypertension (chronic high blood pressure), doesn’t come with any obvious outward signs or symptoms. And left untreated, hypertension leads to heart disease, stroke, and even death. 

At Nashville Family Medical Clinic, “silent” conditions like this are checked for during your primary care visits. If Dr. Attoussi sees any warning signs, he discusses a plan for treatment early, allowing you to avoid developing more serious problems and safeguarding your health.

2. Track your health over time

Routine primary care visits also help Dr. Attoussi track your health and wellness. The information gathered during your appointment provides us with a baseline measure of your health. This helps Dr. Attoussi find problems faster, which is essential since early diagnosis and intervention can be lifesaving. 

3. Provide customized care

Your primary care visit is a good time to get or schedule routine health screenings, like mammograms or colonoscopies. It’s also a time to discuss your unique health history and lifestyle with Dr. Attoussi so he can recommend customized screenings if necessary. 

For example, you may benefit from an additional cancer screening or a quick test for sexually transmitted infections. No matter your situation or history, primary care visits ensure you receive the screenings you need.

Ready to see your primary care specialist in the new year?

When you trust your primary care to the team at Nashville Family Medical Clinic, we work hard to ensure your healthcare bases are covered. A visit to your primary care specialist in the new year is a great way to maintain your wellness and catch any health problems before they develop further. 

Contact our Nashville office to schedule an appointment or book online now. We also offer walk-in services Monday through Friday.  

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