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What is primary care?

Primary care is at the center of the entire healthcare system. Primary care offers comprehensive diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventative care for patients of all ages, genders, and racial backgrounds. To do this, a primary care provider (or PCP) will individualize a patient’s care based on their medical history and risk factors.

Primary care providers–sometimes known as family care doctors–are usually a patient's first point of contact. They help diagnose and treat various injuries, illnesses, and other health conditions. They provide services like:

PCPs can provide the following routine check-up and diagnostic services

• Blood pressure screening
  
• Heartbeat monitoring (EKGs)
  
• Lung tests (spirometry)
  
• Cancer screenings (such as for breast cancer, testicular cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer)
  
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  
• Development disorder testing
  
  

Primary care physicians can help treat minor injuries and common illnesses, including:

• Common cold
  
• Flu
  
• Asthma
  
• Migraines
  
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  
• Yeast infections
  
• Rashes
  
• Broken bone treatment (casting, splints, braces)
  
  

Primary care physicians can play a crucial role in preventative care, general wellness, and disease prevention for acute and chronic conditions. A primary care physician can offer medical advice, treat chronic conditions and injuries, and offer dietary/ lifestyle adjustments to prevent medical problems and improve your overall health.

Are there different types of primary care providers?

Primary care providers are sometimes known as family doctors or internists. A family doctor is a primary care provider with the training and experience to diagnose, treat, and prevent various medical conditions in patients, regardless of age or gender. An internist–or internal medicine physician–generally focuses on conditions related to the inside of the body, like high blood pressure or diabetes. An internist will primarily work with adult patients.

While family medicine doctors can treat patients of any age, some parents feel more comfortable relying on a pediatrician to provide health care for their young children. Pediatricians are medical doctors who care for infants, children, and adolescents. They provide preventive health services such as immunizations and physical exams, diagnose illnesses, manage chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes, treat injuries and infections, and offer advice on nutrition and exercise. Pediatricians also monitor their patient's growth and development throughout childhood to ensure they stay healthy into adulthood.

Primary care providers also offer referrals to specialists. If you are experiencing the signs of an issue requiring specialized care, primary care doctors will provide a referral for a specialist with advanced training to treat your condition. In many instances, you can’t see a specialist without the referral of a primary care doctor.

Some examples of specialists include:

• ENTs (Ear, Nose & Throat doctors)
  
• OB/GYNs (doctors who treat issues related to women's health)
  
• Pediatricians (doctors who manage care for children)
  
• Orthopedists (doctors who treat problems related to the muscles and skeleton)
  
• Dermatologists (doctors who treat problems related to skin, hair, and nails)
  
• Podiatrists (doctors who treat problems related to the foot, ankle, and lower leg)
  
• Neurologists (doctors who treat problems related to the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and more)
  
• Mental health care providers (such as therapists, psychiatrists, and counselors)
  
  

What if I’m experiencing a medical emergency?

Primary care providers do not treat urgent medical emergencies. PCP facilities do not offer walk-in services, meaning you will likely need to schedule an appointment several days in advance. This means you may not promptly receive adequate care for an urgent concern.

Some signs and symptoms of a medical emergency include:

• Unexplained bleeding
  
• Difficulty breathing
  
• Large open wounds
  
• Broken bones
  
• Head injuries
  
• Chest pain
  
• Seizures that last over 1 minute
  
  

These reactions require immediate treatment. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

How do I book primary care in Pasadena, Texas?

Sesame offers convenient and affordable in-person and video primary care appointments in Pasadena, Texas.

Here’s how you book a visit:

• Search “Primary Care” in Sesame’s search bar
  
• Browse the list of available providers near you
  
• Choose between video and in-person services
  
• Pick a time that works best for your schedule
  
• Book your visit!
  
  

Book a primary care visit with the best doctors in your area and save up to 60% on your appointment.