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Why more people are choosing urgent care over the emergency room

An increasing number of people now choose to go to an urgent care center rather than the ER of a hospital. Here are the top reasons why.

Shorter Wait Times

Compared to a crowded ER, an urgent care center’s doctors would see you much sooner. This is important since you or your loved one is not feeling well and you want a doctor to talk to.

Convenience

Since an urgent care center is not as busy as the ER, you are not inconvenienced at all. The staff has more time to compassionately attend to your situation.

Efficiency

Urgent care facilities are also more efficient because you do not have to deal with different departments. You are attended by one doctor the whole time you are at an urgent care center.

No extras

At an ER, doctors may order several tests to figure out the root cause of your symptoms. This may result in higher costs for you. At an urgent care center, you only need to undergo tests that are absolutely required. This saves you time, money and the hassle of going through several tests and examinations.

Less sick people

You have a less chance of catching an infection from another patient at an urgent care center as compared to an ER. This is because an ER is very crowded and that means more sick people with all kinds of diseases.

Going to an urgent care is certainly a better experience than going to an ER. If you are looking for an internal medicine doctor in San Diego, call Pacific Medical Care at 619-333-8114 Today. Mobile doctors treat urgent non-life-threatening emergencies, diagnose and treat chronic diseases, administer immunizations and more. All you have to do is make a phone call and the doctor will be at your doorstep within a short while!

admin3 April 18, 2018 Pain Management, Primary Care Doctor 0 Read more >

When to Use Urgent Care in San Diego Instead of Emergency Care.

There is a time when urgent care facilities should be used instead of going to emergency care rooms in the region. This is because ‘urgent care’ fills a gap that is vital if the health system is to run smoothly and treat the maximum number of patients possible. There is an incredible strain on emergency departments already and this can be overwhelming for professional employees but, also means long delays and, may even lead to patients missing out on the help that they desperately need. If you are asking yourself, when to use urgent care in San Diego instead of emergency care then, the list below will help.

To clarify, an emergency room is meant for serious health problems such as:

Heart attacks
Serious allergic reactions
Gunshot wounds
Stabbings
Broken bones protruding through the skin
Patient struggling to breath
Head trauma

This list is far from conclusive, but you can see that there are life-threatening situations and therefore, are considered emergencies. To add to the confusion, it does vary from state to state on what is considered urgent or emergency. Some urgent care rooms may have an emergency care unit attached which enables the patient to be treated at the right place or, for treatment to be adapted seamlessly if their condition worsens.

An urgent care room would be the place to seek help for the following conditions.

Minor burns
Non- life-threatening cuts
Simple fractures
Coughs
Rashes
Insect Bites
Sprains
Muscle Tears
Upset stomachs

Once again, you can see that this list is not conclusive, but the message here is clear. Non-life- threatening conditions are considered better suited for the attention of the urgent care room. In the main, an urgent care room would be open after normal medical center hours and, at the weekend too. They are primarily equipped to deal with conditions and incidents that require treatment, but which are not considered life-threatening.

Urgent care rooms are manned by qualified healthcare workers who are there to give treatment to patients who are in distress and suffering from painful or uncomfortable conditions that are not deemed to be an emergency. This is a vital bridge that connects the medical centers to the emergency care room and eases the ‘out of office hours’ patients which put a great deal of strain on the emergency services.

The concept of this vital bridge between the services was born back in the ‘90’s when it was realized that up to 50% of patients visiting emergency rooms were not suffering from life-threatening conditions. This caused a serious problem as some patients were clearly suffering from far more serious conditions and were in danger of not being treated quickly enough. The urgent care room was created, and it has been filling that very important role ever since. If you are seeking urgent care in San Diego, then you will be comforted to know that all your needs will be catered for.

aenriquez April 6, 2018 Primary Care Doctor, Urgent Care 0 Read more >

Why It is Essential to Seek Medical Care After an Auto-Accident Even if You Feel Alright

It takes a blink of an eye or just a fraction of a second to lose concentration and for an auto-accident to occur. That single moment can haunt you for the rest of your life. Of course, not all auto-accidents are serious at first glance but even a minor accident can lead to a lifetime of pain and discomfort through experiencing neck spasms or having back pain. It is therefore important to seek medical advice as soon as possible even if you are feeling unharmed.

Common auto-accident injuries which are serious but not always noticed immediately include:

Neck injuries i.e. whiplash
Head trauma
Internal bleeding
Neck spasms
Back spasms

There is also the legal side to an accident through not seeking immediate medical attention. Nearly all claims for future compensation will look at how much of the fault lay with the actual victim. By ignoring any minor pains, you could well be making the situation worse and causing permanent damage which might affect any compensation payout.

Even a minor concussion should be looked at. Anything, where the brain has been shaken in the skull, can lead to bleeding in the brain and even worse. Not all these things are visible straight away. In fact, it is common for a person with head trauma to ignore mild concussion and any slight headaches, only later to deteriorate and require emergency care.

The most common type of injury caused by auto-accidents is neck spasms along with back pain. It is very easy to walk away from any traumatic event thinking that you simply have a sore neck and were very lucky. This can, however, be a big mistake as neck injuries can lead to a lifetime of pain if it is not looked at very quickly.

Also known as whiplash injuries, the head springs forward from impact causing a transference of energy down the spinal column. This is often worse when the victim does not have time to brace themselves and this occurs in vehicle accidents when hit from behind.

A muscle spasm is the body’s way of protecting an injured zone by reducing mobility. This helps you to avoid injuring yourself more or placing more stress on the damaged area. The main problem comes from when the swelling starts to ease, as this can then reveal other damage such as a degeneration of the muscles which in turn, weakens the whole area. These events can lead to further complications often many months after the initial event. This is another reason why you should get medical attention no matter how minor the incident felt.

Any kind of neck injury probably means there is some swelling of tiny tears in the muscle tissue are almost certain to be present. If ignored these tears will naturally repair themselves but can in the process cause scar tissue that can cause even more discomfort. Scar tissue can easily place pressure on nerves causing pain and suddenly, you have acute or chronic pain.

Apart from the legality and serious conditions such as unnoticed brain bleeds, it is essential to seek medical advice as soon as possible, because a host of what appears at first to be minor problems like neck and back spasms can go on to become a lifetime of pain and discomfort but, also, if you have been given the all-clear after examination, you will have peace of mind.

aenriquez March 31, 2018 neck injuries, Pain Managementneck injuries, neck pain 0 Read more >

Relieve the Pain of Sciatica with Physical Therapy

The pain of sciatica may seem unbearable. It can certainly bring your lifestyle to a halt while you try to cope with movement and to find some relief from the pain. It may seem as if the pain and discomfort will continue forever and it is a debilitating condition which causes a great deal of frustration. If you want to know how to relieve sciatica pain and be able to get life back on track, it’s important to seek professional medical advice as there are options available.

What is sciatica?

Your spine is made up of bones, separated and cushioned by connective tissue. Gradually, through wear and tear or, because of an injury, a disk may become worn with the center pushing through the outer ring. This is known as the herniation. It may be the cause of pressure being placed on the nerves and this can be incredibly painful. You may find that the pain radiates down the sciatic nerve which is the longest nerve in the body and, the nerve splits running through the buttocks and down the legs into the feet. Therefore, this pain can radiate into different parts of the body, you may even find that you have a tingling sensation in your legs or feet and the pain may be dull or severe. After taking medical advice, your doctor may recommend you to have the physical therapy which focuses on strengthening and stretching the body to alleviate pain.

Physical therapy

Even though sciatica can be debilitating, it is important to keep your body as flexible as is possible. At one-time, medical advice suggested remaining still and resting but, this may make the problem worse. It is best, however, to work with your body rather than against it. Moving little and often is best. Your physical therapist will advise you and in addition to regular treatment sessions, you will have exercise to do at home. These include strengthening exercises to target the supportive muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the back. They will also work on the muscles of the buttocks and the abdominals. It is important to have strong core muscles as they support the spine. Any stretches given will be to ease out the tightness of those muscles that cause pain due to their inflexibility.

Your physical therapist may also suggest working on your posture and may ask the following:

Do you sit down at work for periods of time?
Do you stand for long periods?
Does your neck, shoulders or a backache regularly?

It may be that changing your posture will help you to avoid having more back problems in the future. Simple adjustments can make a big difference and your physical therapist can tell a lot through observation and watch your gait as you walk. Recovering from sciatica is not an overnight recovery process. It does take time but providing you keep up the exercise program and keep your back strong and flexible, you may find that sciatic pain becomes a thing of the past.

aenriquez March 22, 2018 Pain Management 0 Read more >

Breathe Easier this Spring

It will soon be Spring again. As much as we love to witness nature’s bounty in fresh blooms, we may also find ourselves falling victim to allergy. While some people do not get affected by pollen and other particles in the air, for many people, immune systems react to these particles, producing a variety of symptoms, ranging from an itchy nose to Asthma flare-up.

Thankfully, there are many over-the-counter options available to help you tide over the Spring allergy. You can take non-sedating antihistamines such as Zyrtec for much needed relief. For chronic nasal symptoms, nasal sprays may prove useful. However, any medicines should be taken only after consulting your doctor.

While allergies can be treated, prevention is always better. While we can’t eliminate pollen from nature, we can reduce allergens in our homes. You may try room air cleaners to filter the air in your home. For houses that have forced air HVAC systems, regular maintenance should be carried out and the high-efficiency disposable should be used.

For some people, infectious respiratory problems may coincide with allergies, preventing relief with simply air filtration or over-the-counter medication. If you have similar or other concerns with allergies or breathing, request a visit with a house call or internal medicine doctor.
To consult house call doctors or internal medicine doctors in San Diego, call Pacific Medical Care at 619-333-8114 Today. House call doctors treat urgent non-life-threatening emergencies, diagnose and treat chronic diseases, administer immunizations and more. All you have to do is make a phone call and the doctor will be at your doorstep within a short while!

admin3 March 21, 2018 Blog 0 Read more >

Want to Know How to Get Rid of a Sinus Infection?

A headache, blocked nose, and sinus pains are synonymous with both the common cold and a sinus infection and they certainly have one thing in common at least, when they occur, the symptoms can make you feel unwell and miserable. It’s important to realize that they are different conditions entirely and of course, when it comes to treatment, this will vary too. Understanding the differences will help you in a preventative manner but If you want to know how to get rid of a sinus infection, then, start here.

There are four sinus cavities which include:

Frontal sinus (forehead)
Maxillary sinus (located behind the cheeks)
Ethmoid sinuses (located between the eyes)
Sphenoid sinus (located behind the ethmoids)

Each of these inner linings secrete mucus, epithelial cells and cells relevant to the immune system. They work to insulate and act as buffers should there be any facial trauma. They also humidify. When inflammation prevents the clearance of mucus, this can progress into a bacterial infection.

Sinus infection vs Cold

A sinus infection often begins with cold-like symptoms which includes a runny nose, mild fever and the start of a cough. If it is a sinus infection, it will then start to develop into pressure around the sinus cavities and you may have a headache and puffiness around the eyes. The pressure can be very intense. The nasal passages become inflamed and there is a multitude of reasons as to why this might happen:

Dietary Causes
Pollutants
Allergens
Polyps

Some sinus infections occur through using too many nasal products and you may wish to reduce the use of these products if so. When it comes to the common cold, know that it is a virus that affects the respiratory system and as a result, you start to develop either a blocked or stuffy nose, may sneeze a lot and may develop that scratchy throat and cough as the cold continues. Despite much research into the common cold, there is still no cure, but it typically improves quite quickly.

Self-help Treatment

Whether sinus infections or colds, we need to hydrate the body more. This means drinking plenty of water as this will help to stop those inflamed nasal membranes from drying out and as a result, there will be less irritation experienced. Steam inhalations are also useful for both conditions as they moisten the nasal passages. If you don’t want to sit over a bowl of hot water, try having a hot shower or bath. If you can’t breathe well, add a few drops of a favorite aromatherapy oil and this will help to open those nasal passages.

Nasal irrigation is also useful and is recommended for both colds and sinus infections. A saline solution will flush out any bacteria or irritants from the nasal passages. If you like spicy foods, it’s time to indulge and both conditions respond well when food is laced with some cayenne pepper. It works because it contains capsaicin, and this helps to reduce the swelling of the nasal passage and will also thin out thick mucus.

Medical treatments

It is always worth seeking advice from your doctor especially when you feel unwell and pain is severe and ongoing. If you regularly have sinus infections, medical advice is essential. Antibiotics may be prescribed but, often a CT or MRI scan may be performed or, a rhinoscopy or endoscopy which enables the doctors to look at the back of the nasal passages to check if there are any growths. A sample may be taken to find out the actual cause of the sinus infection. You may also be sent to an ENT (eye, ears, nose and throat specialist.

No doubt, understanding the difference between colds and sinus infections will enable you to help yourself but, don’t just struggle, seek professional medical help and it may be possible to alleviate the symptoms once the cause has been established.

aenriquez February 28, 2018 Primary Care DoctorCold 0 Read more >

Busting 4 Common Chronic Pain Myths

If or a loved one is suffering from persistent, chronic pain, you must have come across the myths and misconceptions that surround pain and its treatment. Fortunately, modern pain medicine and pain management doctors can help you obtain relief from chronic pain. But it is important to know the truth about chronic pain, so that you can make an informed decision about seeking treatment.

Myth – Pain is a normal part of aging.

Truth – Regardless of your age, pain can never be normal and saying so can actually stop pain sufferers from seeking necessary help. It is true that physical wear and tear in the body can lead to certain conditions that cause chronic pain, such as a herniated disc or joint pain. But these conditions can be treated with interventional pain management methods.

Myth – All you need is willpower to push through pain.

Truth – Just as ignoring something will not make it go away, the same is true for pain. It is a common belief that seeking help for your problem will somehow make you look weak. But if you ignore your pain, it can have serious consequences. It can prevent you from going about your daily activities and a normal personal and professional life. Leaving pain untreated can even make later treatment more difficult.

Myth – When it comes to pain, rest is the best.

Truth – While it is true that if you are sick, you need to rest to allow your body to heal, and this is true with acute pain. But chronic pain is different. While taking a day or two off to rest is alright, total rest for a long time is associated with more pain and disability.

Physical therapy and exercise under supervision is often helpful in strengthening muscles and relieving pain.

Myth – It is all in your head.

Truth – Often, people around chronic pain sufferers seem to think that chronic pain is in the sufferer’s head. And sometimes you might even agree. Fortunately, pain management doctors can accurately diagnose the root cause of pain and use a comprehensive treatment plan to help to obtain long term relief.

To consult pain management doctors, foot doctor or house call doctor in San Diego, call Pacific Medical Care at 619-333-8114 Today.

admin3 February 19, 2018 Pain Management 0 Read more >

The Importance of Physical Therapy in Bell’s Palsy and Having an Individual Care Plan

Bell’s palsy can be a frightening condition before diagnosis as people often believe they have had a stroke as some symptoms are similar. However, a medical center will soon confirm if you do indeed have Bell’s Palsy. The symptoms can be quite severe and of course, noticeable and this fact also plays a role in the fear experienced at the onset of this condition.

Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s Palsy causes a paralysis of the facial nerves and weakens the muscles on one side of the face and this causes the face to drop. Often, the lips and one eyelid are affected too. This condition although not life-threatening, is life-changing because it can alter appearance. It can also make eating and drinking a problem, especially socially. It is most common in those who are diabetics or, if over the age of 40, but, it can affect anyone at any time.

Common symptoms include:

Dropping and soreness of the eyelid.
Facial muscles paralyzed.
Only being able to speak on one side of the mouth.
Stabbing nerve pain.

In most cases, you will start to see and feel an improvement within a few weeks, sometimes sooner. However, there is a danger of permanent nerve damage. There is still much that is unknown about Bell’s Palsy including the main cause for this condition. There are some connections to inflammation of the nerve beneath the ear and this may have a connection to the herpes simplex virus. There is also a link that is being studied to Lyme disease and diabetes. Pain management will certainly need to be considered and acupuncture and physical therapy can be useful.

Bell’s Palsy has a significant impact on a social basis because it can change appearance greatly, so, it can create feelings of isolation for the individual. It can also impair the ability to drive as the eye becomes so sore where it is dry. Luckily for most, this is short-lived, and most muscles return to normality quickly. There is about an 8% chance that it can return in patients who have had the condition previously.

Physical Therapy and Individual Care Plans

If you have this condition, you may be prescribed a course of medicines to help ease the pain. You are likely to receive an individual care plan too and this works well because each person will experience varying levels of pain and discomfort. Pain management and support are key to the recovery of this condition. Physical therapy has been proven useful in that a series of massage techniques can be utilized to help improve flexibility and to increase a range of motion. It will also reduce tightness of the facial muscles.

You may be given steroid treatments alongside physical therapy to assist recovery times. The main goal will be to decrease inflammation, and this will help to take pressure away from the nerve. Physical therapists may use a TENS unit and ultrasound to help lessen any pain or discomfort experienced. Too often, centers for pain simply prescribe medication but, it’s important to provide a sense of relief and personal care when it comes to these types of conditions where fear is common.

There are many other treatments that can be used for treatment will always depend on the individual. Although it is a worrying time, know that most people do start the recovery process within a few weeks, but it is vital that you seek professional medical care to help promote healing and to lessen the discomfort.

aenriquez February 5, 2018 Primary Care DoctorBell’s Palsy 0 Read more >

How is Internal Medicine Different from Family Medicine?

When medical students first start interning, they are often confused about the difference between internal medicine and family medicine. There are some vital differences in the care that needs to be given to patients in both cases, the kind of treatment that is required and the training that is required.

The growth of internal medicine came as a result of the practical implementation of scientific knowledge in the labs. Once this started happening, scientists started making medicines in the lab, using their written knowledge, to treat the diseases prevalent in adults.

Medications for Adults were introduced during the 1800s.
Medicine, especially for children were introduced in the 1900s.

In the 1900s, children’s health care evolved as a separate branch of medicine so it did not really interfere with the adult medicinal treatment. Internal medicine is aimed at treatment of an individual.

Medicinal treatments are categorized according to the following factors.

A particular Population ( children, men, women)
Type ( such as surgery)
Organ system

On the contrary, family medicine deals with the medicinal treatment of the whole family. The training of family doctors is also in accordance with this. Thus, family doctors need to be able to treat any kind of problem that could be encountered by the whole family. They have more knowledge of the family history and they are aware of the susceptibility to a particular disease in the family.

The confusion between the two arises due to the fact that even the family doctors normally treat adults. It has been shown through a survey that only 10 to 20% of the patients treated by family doctors are children. The rest are adults and that makes the patient ratio that comes to the family doctors and internists very close.

Also, most of the family doctors are not involved in complex procedures such as surgeries so it seems like the same kind of patients comes to them as do to the internists. There are a few differences between the two, however.

Internists only study about the diseases and treatment of adults.
On the other hand, family physicians take up pediatrics as an additional course during their three years of medical study.

Internists have to work in a hospital for a year after they are done with their three years of study. They need to study about cardiology, gastroenterology, hematology, oncology and many other fields related to adult medicine. They are also exposed to therapeutic treatment for such patients. Basically, they need to be familiarised with the treatment of inpatients and outpatients.

Doctors studying for family medicine are required to spend time in surgery, for gynecology, an encounter with new-borns and other pediatrics related fields. They are normally involved in the treatment of outpatients.

Since the two types are so different, the physicians need particular skills for each type of treatment and they also need to be equipped with the right tools to interact with patients and other co-workers in their field. While one focuses on only one group of the population, the other is aimed at treatment of the whole family and the inheritance of diseases amongst them.

aenriquez January 28, 2018 Primary Care DoctorFamily Medicine, Internal Medicine 0 Read more >

How Can Aqua Therapy Complement Traditional Medical Care?

Aquatic therapy is a form of alternative care often used alongside traditional medical care to facilitate and promote recovery among patients. Many pain management clinics now offer such complementary therapies as a restorative measure in place of medication alone.

In recent years the trend of aquatic therapy has gained popularity to be used as an alternative to other traditional therapies. Backed by science, the soothing effects of water can not only heal the body but assist it with rehabilitation, fitness, and reduction of stress.

The Science behind Aquatic Therapy

Simply said, aquatic therapy refers to rehabilitation through water, taking place in an aquatic environment like a pool or spa. In the US, several organizations are legally registered for providing aquatic services. It is a certified physical therapy course unit with athletic trainers assisting patients with exercises and plans for therapy.

Aquatic therapy primarily has the following goals:

Improves flexibility
Enhances aerobic capacity
Promotes relaxation and reduces stress
Builds muscle stress and increases endurance
Improves coordination and balance

This alternative care therapy differs from aquatic fitness as it aims towards rehabilitation and stress relieving services. It involves professional assistance and is to be covered by insurance providers as a medical facility. While aquatic exercise is a fitness program, aquatic therapy does not include learning to swim or water-based activities. This facility is provided by legally certified institutes like hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private clinics.

Benefits of Aquatic Therapy:

Aquatic therapy can help with the following conditions:

Arthritis pain management
Autism
Balance disorders
Depression
Chronic pain
Cerebral palsy
Lower back pain
Joint surgery recovery
Osteoarthritis
Stroke
Multiple Sclerosis
Stress
And other neurological disorders

The therapy does not have any age restrictions. People of all ages can benefit from this therapy.

Types of Aquatic Therapies

AI CHI Aquatic Therapy

AI Chi is a water therapy initiated by Jun Konno in 1993. It involves progressive training and diaphragmatic breathing with all the mental, spiritual and physical energy integrated. It features both Western and Eastern techniques.

Aqua Running

Aqua running is also known as the deep water running. It involves a flotation belt which keeps the upper body above water level. This therapy mainly involves the rehabilitation of joints and spine.

Bad Ragaz Ring

The Bad Ragaz Ring method was initiated by a team of physiotherapists with the aim of developing mobilizing and strengthening exercise models. This therapy involves the use of multiple aquatic exercises.

HALLIWICK concept

Originally planned in the 1940s, this therapy model aims at helping patients develop core stability and balance. It involves working with people with disabilities to learn swimming and through that improve the following conditions:

Mental adjustment
Transversal rotational control
Sagittal rotation control
Mental inversion or upthrust
Combined rotation control

What is required?

Other than a trainer and standard swimming accessories, a patient may need to have the following:

Stationary bicycles
Weight barbells
Kickboards
Short tipped flippers and fins
Ankle Weights

Other than that the accessories required depend on the type of aquatic therapy the individual opts for. A trainer will provide a list of things required prior to each session.

aenriquez January 18, 2018 Pain Management, Primary Care DoctorAquatic Therapy 0 Read more >

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