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Primary Care Basics

Primary care is a branch of medicine that focuses on providing comprehensive and continuous health care for individuals, families, and communities. It encompasses preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, and palliative services to improve patients’ health and well-being. In addition, primary care physicians strive to provide patient-centered medical care by considering the patient’s physical and mental health needs.

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.

Some conditions treated by primary care providers include:

• Acute illnesses (like the cold and flu)
  
• Infections (like a UTI or ear infection)
  
• Skin conditions (like skin rash or moles)
  
• Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
  
• Blood pressure management
  
• High cholesterol
  
• Non-emergency injuries (like sprains)
  
• Developmental disorders (like cerebral palsy)
  
• Sexual dysfunction (like infertility or ED)
  
• Mental health conditions (like depression or anxiety)
  
  

In addition to treating the conditions listed above, primary care providers perform a wide range of health care services to diagnose, treat, and prevent hundreds of medical issues.

Some medical services performed by primary care providers include:

• Annual physical exams
  
• Routine check-ups
  
• Lab testing (blood and urinalysis)
  
• Injury treatment (applying splints, casts, slings, etc…)
  
• Medication prescription
  
• Medical advice for general wellness
  
• Preventative care strategies (like dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes)
  
• Cancer screening
  
  

Routine Check-ups

Most people see a primary care provider at least once a year for their routine physical exam, sometimes called an annual physical or routine check-up. These visits are crucial to detecting medical issues before they occur and offering a checkpoint for your general wellness.

Some standard tests performed by doctors during a routine physical include:

Vital sign checks: Doctors will often check blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate to check for general wellness and any symptoms of heart disease or high blood pressure. Doctors will also use a stethoscope to check for abnormalities in breath, heart murmurs, or irregular heartbeats, as these can be signs of health problems.

Visual exam: Doctors will check your height and weight to calculate your body mass index, a crucial part of diagnosing obesity. They will also look for any problems with your skin and abnormal marks or growths on your body.

Percussion tests: Doctors will gently tap and press various body parts (like the abdomen) to check for unusual lumps, irregular fluid buildup, and organ location.

Blood tests: Doctors may draw blood during an annual physical exam to check cholesterol levels and your blood count. If you may be at risk for diabetes, your blood sugar levels may also be tested. These tests help doctors monitor your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Urinalysis: Doctors may request a urine sample to test for kidney and liver disease or diabetes.

Cancer screening tests: These are often done by touch to look for abnormal lumps or growths in the body. Doctors will check the lymph nodes, thyroid, and skin for signs of cancer. Men often have their testicles and prostate checked to screen for cancer or other irregularities. Women may have a breast exam performed to screen for breast cancer.

Medical and Family History

In addition to these tests, you will be asked about your medical history (conditions you have already been diagnosed with, previous issues you’ve had, etc.) and your family history during your check-up. Many medical conditions can run in families. Informing your primary care provider about common disorders in your family can help them tailor your health care to prevent or treat them.

Examples of conditions that run in families include:

• High cholesterol
  
• High blood pressure
  
• Obesity
  
• Mental health disorders (like depression, bipolar, or anxiety)
  
• Asthma
  
• Osteoporosis
  
• Arthritis
  
• Certain cancers
  
• Alcoholism/ substance abuse disorders
  
  

You should also give your primary care provider information about past illnesses or surgeries, lifestyle habits such as smoking or alcohol consumption, medications you are taking (both prescription and over-the-counter), allergies, and reactions to certain drugs.

How to Book a Primary Care Visit

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