Our Specialties ~ Common Conditions
At Platinum Primary Care, we provide care for all stages of life. We address each patient’s unique needs — from preventive medicine to the treatment of acute and chronic conditions. Our team is committed to keeping you healthy by providing patient-centered care and a treatment plan to produce the best possible outcome.
Please click on the condition below for more information.
Occasional anxiety is, of course, a normal part of life. It may be more serious, though, if you frequently experience intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday circumstances. These sorts of feelings — called anxiety disorders — may interfere with daily activities and often include panic attacks, which are repeated episodes of sudden and intense anxiety and fear that reach a peak within a few minutes. Common symptoms include: feeling nervous or restless; having a sense of impending danger or doom; experiencing an increased heart rate; hyperventilation (breathing rapidly); sweating; trembling; feeling weak or tired; having trouble sleeping (insomnia); experiencing gastrointestinal problems, and having difficulty controlling worry or thinking about anything else.
Fortunately, treatment, including psychotherapy, medications, meditation techniques, or a combination, can help. Talk to your PCP if you feel like your anxiety is interfering with your everyday life; if your fears and worry are difficult to control; if you feel depressed or have other mental health concerns; if you’re depending on alcohol or drug use to assuage your anxiety; if you think your anxiety is linked to a physical health problem, such as heart disease, diabetes, or thyroid problems.
Call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
A migraine is a severe headache that includes throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, typically on one side of the head, as well as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise. Migraines can last for hours to days, and the pain can make it difficult to complete your daily responsibilities. Some people experience a warning symptom called an aura before or during the headache. The aura can include visual disturbances, such as flashes of light or blind spots; tingling on one side of the face or in an extremity, and difficulty speaking. Other migraine warnings include constipation, mood changes, food cravings, neck stiffness, increased thirst and urination, and frequent yawning.
If you’re experiencing migraines on a regular basis, take note of the frequency and length as well as your symptoms and talk to your PCP. Medications, along with self-help remedies and lifestyle changes, may prevent migraines or at least make the pain more manageable.
Preventive care intends to prevent disease, injury, or illness as opposed to treating a condition that has already developed. Preventive care may include doctor visits, including annual physicals, gynecological care, dental cleanings, and more; immunizations; allergy medications; colonoscopies and mammograms as needed; and screenings to test for skin cancer, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Preventive care keeps people productive and active, with the ultimate goal of helping them to stay healthy into their senior years. It also helps to lower healthcare costs by preventing or treating diseases before they require emergency room or hospital care.
Your skin is your largest organ and serves the important purpose of protecting your body from infection. Still, your skin itself can become infected, caused by a variety of germs with symptoms that vary from mild to serious. There are four types of skin infections. Bacterial skin infections usually begin as small, red bumps that get bigger over time. Examples include boils and leprosy. Viral skin infections, such as shingles, chickenpox, and warts, are caused by a virus. Fungal skin infections, which are caused by a fungus, are likely to develop in damp areas of the body, such as feet or armpits. Examples include athlete’s foot and yeast infections. Parasitic skin infections, such as lice and bedbugs, are caused by a parasite and can spread beyond the skin to infect the bloodstream and organs.
Skin infections are best diagnosed with a medical exam; your PCP can often identify the type based on the appearance and location. Treatment depends on both the type and the severity. Bacterial skin infections are typically treated with topical antibiotics applied directly to the skin or oral antibiotics. To treat fungal skin infections, use an over-the-counter fungal spray or cream. If it doesn’t improve, talk to your doctor about prescription oral medications or topical creams. For any type of skin infection, you can use anti-inflammatory drugs as well as over-the-counter antihistamines and/or topical creams and ointments to help with discomfort and itching.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a constant feeling of sadness and worthlessness. It impacts how you think, feel, and behave and can lead to a number of problems, both emotional and physical. You may have trouble completing your daily activities or even feel like life isn’t worth living. During depression episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day, and can include: feelings of sadness and hopelessness; angry or irritable outbursts; loss of interest in normal activities; sleep disturbances (insomnia or sleeping too much); tiredness or lack of energy; reduced appetite and weight loss; anxiety and restlessness; trouble concentrating and making decisions; suicidal thoughts or attempts; and unexplained physical problems, such as headaches.
If you feel depressed, make an appointment with your PCP right away. If needed, they can refer you to a mental health professional for further help. If you feel reluctant to seek treatment, talk to a friend or family member. Although depression may require long-term treatment, it is treatable through medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. If you think you may hurt yourself or someone else or attempt suicide, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Osteoarthritis, which occurs when the protective cartilage around the ends of your bones wears down, is the most common form of arthritis and affects millions of people worldwide. It can damage any joint but most commonly occurs in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. While the joint damage can’t be reversed, symptoms can usually be managed. Symptoms typically develop slowly and worsen over time. Common signs include pain at the affected joints during or after movement; joint stiffness, particularly after being inactive; tenderness; loss of flexibility; grating, popping, or cracking; bone spurs around the joint; and soft tissue inflammation around the joint.
If you experience joint pain or stiffness that doesn’t mitigate, make an appointment with your PCP. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and some treatments may slow the disease progression, decrease pain, and improve joint function.
An acute respiratory infection interferes with normal breathing. If it affects only your upper respiratory system (sinuses to vocal cords), it may be caused by acute pharyngitis, an acute ear infection, or the common cold. A lower respiratory infection (vocal cords to lungs), which is caused by bronchitis, pneumonia, or bronchiolitis, is particularly dangerous for children, older adults, and people with immune system disorders. While symptoms are different depending on the location of the infection, they may include congestion, either in the sinuses or lungs; runny nose; cough; sore throat; body aches; and fatigue.
Contact your doctor if you experience a fever and chills; difficulty breathing; dizziness; and/or loss of consciousness. During a respiratory exam, they will focus on your breathing and check for fluid and inflammation in your lungs by listening for abnormal sounds as you take deep breaths. They will also check your nose, ears, and throat. If there is concern that the infection is in your lower respiratory tract, an X-ray or CT scan may be needed to check the condition of your lungs. For a viral infection, your PCP will monitor your condition and prescribe medications to manage your symptoms. For a bacterial infection, they may prescribe antibiotics.
Your thyroid is a small organ located in the front of your neck that creates and produces hormones that help control vital functions throughout your body. The thyroid controls your metabolism, which is the process that converts your food into energy, with the T4 and T3 hormones. Thyroid disease, which affects over 20 million people in the United States, is when your thyroid makes too much or too little of these hormones. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) include anxiety, irritability, and nervousness; trouble sleeping; losing weight; having an enlarged thyroid gland; experiencing muscle weakness or tremors; having irregular menstrual cycles; feeling sensitive to heat, and having vision problems. Signs of hypothyroidism (an under-active thyroid) include: feeling tired; gaining weight; memory issues; frequent or heavy menstrual periods; dry and coarse hair; a hoarse voice; and an intolerance to cold temperatures.
Thyroid disease can be difficult to diagnose, as symptoms are often confused with those of other conditions. Your PCP can complete blood tests, imaging tests (either a thyroid scan or ultrasound), and/or physical exams to determine if your symptoms are being caused by a thyroid issue. Once diagnosed, your provider can determine the best method of treatment to return your thyroid levels back to normal. Options for hyperthyroidism include antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, beta-blockers, or thyroid removal surgery. The primary treatment option for hypothyroidism is thyroid replacement medication.
Your body needs cholesterol, a waxy substance in your blood, to build healthy cells, but high cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease. It can cause fatty deposits to develop in your blood vessels. Over time, these deposits grow, making it difficult for blood to flow through your arteries. These deposits can break suddenly and form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke. High cholesterol is sometimes inherited, but it’s often a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices.
High cholesterol is both preventable and treatable. Your PCP can recommend a healthy diet, which includes limited sodium and animal fats and emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats (like avocado and nuts). They will also encourage you to exercise for at least 30 minutes each day and lose weight if needed. Additionally, you should quit smoking, drink alcohol in moderation, and manage your stress levels. Medication can be prescribed if needed.
Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone (a constantly-occurring process) can no longer keep up with the loss of old bone, causing bones to become weak and brittle. In some cases, bones are so brittle that a fall or minor stress, like bending over or coughing, can cause a fracture. These fractures are most likely to occur in the hip, wrist, or spine. Although osteoporosis affects men and women of all races, white and Asian women, particularly those past menopause, are at the highest risk. During the early stages of bone loss, there are often no signs. However, once your bones are weakened by osteoporosis, symptoms include back pain (caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra), loss of height over time, a stooped posture, and bones that break more easily than expected.
You should discuss osteoporosis with your doctor if you went through early menopause, if you took corticosteroids for several months, or if either of your parents suffered from hip fractures. Medications, a healthy diet, and weight-bearing exercise can help strengthen already weak bones and/or prevent future bone loss.
Sinusitis occurs when the areas inside your nose and head (sinuses) are swollen and inflamed. This swelling interferes with how mucus naturally drains and makes your nose stuffy. Breathing through your nose may be difficult, and areas near your nose, eyes, cheeks, and/or forehead might be swollen or tender. Other symptoms include thick, discolored discharge; drainage in the throat; a reduced sense of smell and taste; ear pain; ache in the upper jaw and teeth; cough; sore throat; bad breath; and fatigue. Sinusitis is often caused by an infection, growth in the sinuses (nasal polyps), or swelling of the sinus lining. This common condition affects about 35 million Americans at least once per year.
For a simple sinus infection, your PCP may suggest an over-the-counter decongestant and saline nasal washes as well as antibiotics. Warm, moist air also helps; you can use a vaporizer or inhale steam from a pot of warm water. Warm compresses may ease pain or tenderness on affected areas of the face.
An important part of preventive care is weight management. Dieting is not a realistic approach to weight loss, as diets limit your nutritional intake and often fail in the long run. Instead, you can work with your primary care physician (PCP) to figure out your body mass index (BMI) and then determine an ideal weight range and weight management plan for you. Weight management is possible through long-term dietary changes, regular physical activity, optimal sleep habits, and limited stress.
Your daily nutrition should include lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables, and you should aim for at least 30 minutes of walking, five days per week. You may want to keep a journal to track your calories and exercise minutes as you adjust to your new lifestyle.
If you experience joint pain or stiffness that doesn’t mitigate, make an appointment with your PCP. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and some treatments may slow the disease progression, decrease pain, and improve joint function.