Acute and Chronic Illnesses in Carrollton, TX

Acute conditions come on very suddenly and often without warning, such as a broken bone or cold. Chronic illnesses are long-developing, such as asthma or diabetes. At Family Medicine Associates of Texas, our board-certified physicians and certified physician assistants provide services and care for acute and chronic illnesses. Our physicians can provide education and treatment options on how to best manage your condition. Unfortunately, especially with age, everyone will experience some type of acute disease. We know that being sick or feeling even slightly under the weather can really wear on a person's overall health and well-being. That's why our family practice in Carrollton, TX is proud to provide a vast range of services that focus specifically on acute and chronic illnesses. 

Our office offers a wide variety of services that can benefit and improve your health and with the exceptional care of our board-certified physicians, medications are prescribed only when necessary. Studies and tests are recommended when they will offer information that will affect the outcome of your health. If we believe you will benefit from seeing a specialist, we may recommend seeing an excellent specialists in the area and will coordinate your care while still playing a vital role by following your progress.

A common cold and the flu have similar symptoms such as a cough or headache and both can be contagious. However, the flu is much worse and can put someone on bed rest. Other acute illnesses, such as strep throat, are very common and typically require antibiotics. If you have signs of a cold, flu, or strep throat, you should seek medical care immediately to prevent further discomfort and potential spreading of the illness.

A sprain is the injury of a ligament, such as a sprained ankle. However, a strain is the injury of a muscle or tendon. Both produce similar symptoms, such as swelling, pain, limited flexibility or range of motion but are different injuries. Typically, with a sprain, there will be bruising around the affected area but a strain will produce muscle spasms. It's important to have your condition looked at by a medical professional to prevent further injury. 

Gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome can be very discomforting and can cause a great amount of embarrassment. Maintaining a healthy GI tract can help ease these conditions and can improve your overall health. Our doctors will provide you with treatment options, healthy tips, lifestyle habits, and diet plans to improve your GI tract.

Back, chest, and abdominal pain can be a symptom of a severe condition and should not be ignored. Pain in your chest or upper back can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux or heart disease. Lower back pain can be a results of a slipped disc or spine issue. Abdominal pain can be a symptom of a gastrointestinal disorder or stomach virus. Our board-certified physicians can help identify, diagnose, and treat your condition.

Migraines and headaches can occur for a number of different reasons, such as stress or allergies and both can produce symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and sensitivity to light or noise. Although over-the-counter medicine is readily available to treat migraines and headaches, if you are experiencing chronic symptoms, seeking professional medical help can decrease your comfort. Your doctor can provide an optimal treatment plan.

Your blood pressure is measured by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the pressure of blood flow in your arteries. It can easily be measured at your local pharmacy or at home if you have a blood pressure machine. If you have high blood pressure, also called hypertension, then immediate medical counsel is advised. Hypertension can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. 

There are several tendons that run from the forearm to the wrist, as well as the median nerve. When there is pressure or tension on the median nerve, it is referred to as carpal tunnel syndrome. This can occur for many reasons, such as injury or over use of the wrist. Activities such as typing, painting, drawing, and tennis can lead to CTS. Typically, patients will experience tightness, numbness, tingling, or pain in their hands and fingers.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes an imbalance with insulin in your body. Insulin is the hormone that controls and regulates blood sugar levels in your body. When your glucose is out of balance, it can cause an array of issues such as high blood pressure, cataracts, and pancreatitis. There are 2 types of diabetes and although there is no cure, a healthy diet and lifestyle can make the disease more manageable. 

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints but it can also be localized to only one joint. There are many types of arthritis, which can be caused by old age, injury, or genetics. Symptoms commonly include pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited range of motion in or around the joints. Unfortunately, since arthritis is a chronic disease, flare ups or symptoms can come and go at any time.

There are more than 100 types of rheumatologic diseases such as musculoskeletal disorders, tendonitis, osteoarthristis, lupus, and gout. Therefore, rheumatology is the study of these disorders, which affect the joints, muscles, and ligaments. Our board-certified medical physicians are highly-trained and equipped to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan for your unique condition to help ease your pain and discomfort. 

Pneumonia is an infection that causes fluid to fill in the air-sacs of one or both lungs. Symptoms include, cough, hacking up brown or green mucus, fever, trouble breathing, chest pain, fatigue, and vomiting. Sometimes, this infection can be prevented by getting an annual flu shot or a vaccine for pneumonia. Recovery time is commonly placed at 1 – 3 weeks. Pneumonia can be life threatening if not treated right away.

Anemia is a condition that occurs when your red blood cells are below the normal levels. When the red blood count is low, the proper amount of oxygen cannot be delivered to the rest of the body. Symptoms include, fatigue, shortness of breath, pale complexion, dizziness, cold hands and feet, chest pain, and headache. There are many types of anemia and it can occur for many different reasons.

The thyroid produces 3 different types of hormones that play a vital role in maintaining and regulating your body's metabolism. When the thyroid produces too much or too little of these hormones, it can cause a myriad of problems. However, when properly diagnosed, thyroid issues can be treated and managed to ease your discomfort. Some patients may even decide to undergo surgery to remove some of their thyroid. 

The upper respiratory tract includes the mouth, nose, sinus, and throat. Therefore, an upper respiratory infection is when one of these parts acquire an infection. Colds are commonly referred to as an upper respiratory infection. Symptoms of a cold include, runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever. 

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in every cell of the body. Cholesterol helps your body make hormones, vitamin-D, and enzymes that help break down your food. However, managing cholesterol is very important because too much cholesterol can put you at risk for a heart attack or stroke. Our board-certified physicians can provide diet plans that can help you maintain a healthy cholesterol level and even lower your cholesterol.

The anatomy and physiology of men and women are very different. Therefore, the health needs and concerns of female and male patients vary. Cholesterol levels, anemia, and high blood pressure are a few examples that vary depending on the gender and build of the patient. Our family practice is proud to offer great health care to both men and women to address their specific health needs and concerns. 

Understanding your health and educating yourself on various diseases and onset symptoms will help you seize control of your health. Recognizing severe symptoms, and undergoing preventative care are essential in identifying acute and chronic conditions. Our family medical practice is fully-equipped and staffed with board-certified physicians to help maintain your health. If you are experiencing a chronic or acute condition, call our office today to schedule your appointment. Your wellness is not just our job but our priority.