Primary care doctors, such as Innovative Family Health, play a big role in preventive care. Some preventive health care is covered by your insurance while other preventive care may require a few. Either way, analysis shows that many patients can save around $6,000 to $8,000 yearly by utilizing preventive care.

So, how do you measure the importance of preventive care? First, let’s agree on a definition.

What is Preventive Care?

At Innovative Family Health, we think of preventive health care as any type of care that is aimed at keeping you well. This includes annual physicals, well-woman appointments and colonoscopies. It also includes pharmaceuticals such as immunizations and allergy medications. Screenings for high cholesterol or skin cancer are preventive.

Most blood work is looking for problems that need to be addressed. While this may not prevent an illness, it reduces the chances of a health problem leading to emergency care and/or hospitalization.

Preventive care is also managing a chronic illness with the dual aims of improving the patient’s life and keeping the patient from needing more extensive, more expensive care. Perhaps you can’t prevent a chronic disease, but you can prevent things from getting worse.

Prevention and recovery care are also closely linked. That’s why Innovative Family Health includes physical rehabilitation as one of its core services.

What is the Monetary Value of Preventive Care?

If you are weighing the pros and cons of any expense associated with preventive health care, consider this. Hospital bills are the number one cause for bankruptcy in the United States. Good primary care is the key to preventing those expensive hospital stays.

Second, unchecked health problems force people into retirement early. This deprives them of income and generally reduces their retirement savings. One survey showed that 46 percent of retirees did so involuntarily due to a chronic health condition or a health crisis.

Here’s another way to look at it. The average person pays between $84 and $131 for a doctor’s visit before deductibles or copays. That same person will find themselves spending $98 to $163 at an urgent care center. In the ER, that same treatment would be from $358 to $1,595.

What Chronic Illnesses Need Preventive Health Care?

The leading causes of death are stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer. If a patient is willing to deal with root causes early, they have the best chance of staying out of the emergency room.

It is vital to get the right medications and to have your progress monitored by a primary care physician. You should have someone to call when you think your medicine isn’t working. Dr. Randall believes in a holistic, lifestyle approach, and he pays close attention to how patients can reduce their dependence on medications, whenever possible.

Chronic illnesses account for 85 percent of all health care costs. The average cost per person is $7,900. Intervention, including things like physical rehabilitation and medicines, can reduce the physical and emotional cost of disease.

One out of five adults find themselves in the emergency room each year. This means they wind up paying for the most expensive health care. If they could get good preventive care, they would spend hundreds rather than tens of thousands.

For diabetics, staying out of the hospital saves them on average $6,394 per person. This example shows that personalized care and medications can make a difference in both the quality of your life and your financial well-being.

Let’s talk more about how to prevent and/or manage chronic diseases. Call Innovative Family Health for an appointment.

Your loved one is suffering from memory-loss symptoms that signal dementia or Alzheimer’s. What should you do? Is there any hope?

The most important thing you can do for yourself or a loved one is to find out the truth. In order to get a dementia diagnosis, it is vital to have a thorough checkup with your doctor. After all, there are symptoms that may mimic dementia that could be a physical problem or reaction to a medication.

If there is a medical cause for memory loss and dementia-like behaviors, it can be life-changing to find that cause and address it. This may be a vitamin deficiency, a chronic illness, depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, or a host of other causes.

When the diagnosis is dementia or Alzheimer’s, the patient can get help dealing with the symptoms. It may be hard to hear the truth, but it is better to know the enemy and to deal with the problems proactively. While there isn’t a cure yet, there are strategies to slow the progression of the disease and to make the patient happier.

Dementia Interventions Can Make a Difference

Early intervention is key to coping with dementia. There may be strategies that you can put in place now that will help you in the long run. Certain medications can address symptoms and behaviors. Lifestyle changes may ease anger, paranoia, sleeping issues and other dementia-related problems.

Dr. Randall can help you assess the severity of the patient’s symptoms. With his holistic approach, treatment options are tailored to the patient. There is no cookie cutter approach. You can discuss prescription medicines, how to monitor for side effects, when to call for help, and how to measure medication effectiveness.

Nonmedical interventions may also be key to helping the patient live with the disease. You’ll want to make plans based on the patient’s condition. Can they drive safely? Will they feed himself/herself? Are they capable of independent living? If dependent on a caregiver, can the caregiver deal with issues as they occur? Does the patient need to wean off of certain medications? Does the patient need to stop drinking alcohol and/or stop smoking pot?

Regular health monitoring is the key to helping dementia patients make the most out of their lives. There are many dangers to their health that are preventable. This includes sleeping disorders, dehydration, and malnourishment. They may have illnesses, such as urinary tract infections, but they may be unable to express the pain or pinpoint the problem.

For these reasons, it is vital to establish a relationship with a good dementia practitioner. Regular checkups will help the patient and caregiver know when underlying conditions are out of control, such as diabetes or high cholesterol. Dr. Randall can monitor medications to determine if the pharmaceutical regiment is helping or harming the patient.

A dementia diagnosis is easier when you have the help of a caring doctor. Call Dr. Randall at Innovative Family Health. Let’s face the challenges together.

Unless a Phoenix resident was alive during the flu epidemic of 1918-1920, they haven’t experienced anything like what is happening now with COVID-19. Having already killed more patients in the United States than in any other country, it is clear the illness is deadly.

As of April 28, the Phoenix area had experienced 3,572 reported cases and reported 135 deaths. On the same date, Arizona had seen 6,725 reported cases and 275 reported deaths statewide. To help combat the disease, an “Arizona Testing Blitz” is scheduled starting May 2 for three Saturdays. They hope to test 10,000-20,000 Arizonans.

Responding to the virus threat, our office has added telehealth visits and is offering an alternative to urgent care by providing same-day appointments in person, when necessary. Our goal is to keep our patients well, whether it is COVID-19 or any other problem.

Whatever you do, don’t rely on random advice from the internet. Go to credible sources. We have compiled some common questions here. There are direct links to experts at the bottom of the page.

What are Coronavirus symptoms?

If you have the coronavirus, you may not know. You may think you have the cold or flu. Symptoms are familiar: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, and possible stomach upset.

Unlike the flu, a dry cough and/or difficulty breathing are Covid-19 symptoms. Patients report symptoms similar to pneumonia and bronchitis.

The most surprising symptom may be the loss of smell and taste. While this doesn’t always signal a major case, it is definitely a warning sign. Some patients have reported a tingling in their limbs or on their skin. Doctors have reported that some children have discolored toes, indicating broken blood vessels.

A lack of oxygen is another signal; however, patients can’t necessarily tell that this is happening. This is why many hospitals are using an oxygen sensor as well as a thermometer when determining how sick a patient is.

In yet another example, strokes have been linked to COVID-19. And these are occurring in younger patients (30s, 40s), not just the elderly.

Even after saying all of this, it is important to note that most cases are mild. All suspected cases should be reported to a doctor for consultation. There are things we can do to help keep you combat the disease.

What should you do if you are sick?

If it feels like the flu or you have been exposed to a COVID patient, call our office to find out how to get tested.

If your diagnosis is confirmed, our telehealth appointments make it easy for you to stay home and get the attention you need. Of course, we can also help you even if your sickness isn’t the virus.

For the most part, patients are urged to treat symptoms as you would with any other virus. Get extra sleep, rest, drink fluids, and use fever meds wisely. Acetaminophen can help, but pay close attention to dosing information. It is imperative not to drink wine, beer or other alcoholic drinks while infected with the coronavirus.

If you can’t breathe, call 911 or have someone drive you to the ER.

Who is most at risk of hospitalization?

• The elderly and those over 60 are considered high risk.
• Fatality rates are highest among those with lung diseases, heart problems, cancer, diabetes and other pre-existing chronic conditions.
• However, some younger patients have become so sick that they ended up in the hospital.
• Truly it is impossible to predict who is at risk without seeking good medical advice on a patient by patient basis.
• Even if you aren’t experiencing life-threatening symptoms, you are urged to stay in touch with your doctor.

How can you avoid the coronavirus?

• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid shaking hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Maintain a six-to12-foot distance from others as much as possible.
• Stay away from those who are sick.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid crowds.
• If in public, wear a mask and gloves. When you can, wash your gloved hands before removing the gloves. You are protecting others not just yourself when you do these simple things.
• You find out more about the Arizona quarantine here.
• You can find out more testing in Arizona here.

What medicines can help coronavirus patients?

• Specific medications have not been developed to counter this virus.
• However, antibiotics may be prescribed to try and stop the spread of the virus into the lungs.
• Steroids may be recommended to reduce inflammation.
• Certain prescription cough medicines may be helpful.
• If hospitalization becomes necessary, a ventilator may be used to help the patient keep breathing.

Call us to schedule Covid testing, a telehealth appointment, an in-person appointment, or for more information.

Learn More From the Experts:
World Health Organization: 2019-nCoV
Center for Disease Control: COVID-19
https://arizonatogether.org/

The range of motion that your back permits is astonishing in complexity, yet it’s normal to take this movement for granted, as long as everything works as it should. When back pain sets in, even the simplest tasks can become an ordeal. The bones of your spine and the soft tissues that support them must work in harmony while protecting the spinal cord and nerve roots that branch from it.

It’s perhaps not surprising that around 31 million Americans may be experiencing back pain right now, adding up to over 260 million lost days from work annually. As the aging population develops degenerative conditions that commonly accompany getting older, the risk of back pain rises. It’s not inevitable that you’ll be sidelined with back pain, but the chances increase with every birthday.

The age of decline

The most common reason for increasing back pain is simply wear-and-tear, especially your spine, a complex system with many interconnected parts. Age-related issues include joint and disc degeneration, spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis.

Joint and disk degeneration

Your spine is made up of 33 spinal bones, or vertebrae, though some people have a slightly different number. There are discs between each of the vertebrae that allow your back to bend and twist. The discs act as shock absorbers between the bones.

These discs allow you to bend, twist, and flex your back without causing compression of your spine. However, as you age, these discs can shrink and lose their elasticity. As a result, you may experience inflammation and pain in your back.

Arthritis can affect every joint in your body, and your spine is no different. This collection of over 100 conditions can affect virtually every aspect of joint mobility in your back.

Spondylolisthesis

When one or more of the lower vertebrae slips forward and makes contact with the bone directly below it, you’ve got spondylolisthesis. It can cause lower back pain or severe leg pain after standing for long periods of time. Spondylolisthesis can often be treated using either surgical or therapeutic methods.

Spinal Stenosis

Since nerves pass through special gaps along your spinal column, anything that affects the size of these gaps is a potentially painful problem. Any narrowing of these spaces is called spinal stenosis. When narrowing puts pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine, you may experience tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, and pain in your arms, legs, buttocks, and back.

Back pain risk factors

Age isn’t the only risk factor for back pain. Other conditions that may contribute to your back pain can include:

• Obesity
• Back injuries
• Osteoporosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Loss of muscle elasticity
• Inactivity
• Poor posture
• Degenerative joint conditions

Though you can’t always prevent or control some of these disorders, you may be able to moderate and ease pain through a combination of treatment and lifestyle changes.

Back pain can be incredibly uncomfortable while reducing your mobility, and it can make participation in activities you enjoy difficult. If you’re suffering from back pain symptoms, it’s time to contact Innovative Family Health Practices. From diagnosis to treatment, their back pain specialists do what it takes to create an effective plan to manage your condition.

Call the office or request an appointment online with the convenient booking tool. A comfortable life is too important to ignore, so contact the office today.

If you’re relatively healthy, chances are you only see your primary care physician a few times each year — once for your yearly wellness exam or physical, once or twice when you have a bad cold or some other contagious illness you just can’t seem to shake, and maybe once more for your annual flu shot.

Your primary care doctor may be the first one you turn to when you’re sick or experiencing worrisome symptoms, but helping you get healthy is just one of their objectives. Their other goal, which they aim to accomplish through comprehensive preventive care and ongoing patient education, is to help you stay as healthy as possible throughout your life.

Here at Innovative Family Health Practices LLC, we recognize that exceptional primary care is a team effort that requires a high level of training, skill, organization, coordination, and respect. Here’s what makes our approach just as efficient as it is effective.

Complete, high-quality care

You rely on your primary care doctor to meet most of your health care needs, ranging from wellness and prevention to acute care and chronic disease management. As a board-certified family medicine physician who’s dedicated to providing high-quality care to patients aged 12 and up, Dr. Randall is specially trained to:

• Conduct physical exams and wellness checkups
• Perform routine preventive health screenings
• Investigate and diagnose unexplained symptoms
• Diagnose and treat acute illnesses and injuries
• Manage & improve chronic disease with coordinated care

To deliver such an exhaustive range of services without sacrificing quality, consistency, or efficiency, Dr. Randall relies on two things: his 30+ years of experience and a supportive team of qualified practitioners, licensed physician assistants, and certified care coordinators.

Organized, efficient care

Providing organized patient-centered care that’s as efficient as it is effective is one of the central principles of any top-tier primary care provider, and Innovative Family Health Practices LLC is no exception.

So what’s the secret to delivering thoughtful, comprehensive care that places your health needs and personal preferences first? The strongest patient-physician relationships are built on trust.

A solid patient-physician relationship begins with respect, and to that end, we provide readily available appointments that prioritize your care and keep you out of the waiting room. A secure patient-physician relationship is also a lot like a partnership, in that it empowers you with the information, resources, and support you need to actively engage in your care.

Efficient primary care is convenient, too — in addition to providing high-quality, personalized care without the wait, we also offer comprehensive on-site diagnostic testing and phlebotomy services and 24/7 access to an online patient portal that helps you keep track of test results, recommended screenings, and upcoming appointments.

Confident, coordinated care

Primary care doesn’t mean basic care — it means confident care. Dr. Randall’s comprehensive training and far-reaching expertise extends to a variety of specialized areas, including:

• Chronic disease management and improvement (diabetes, hypertension)
• Dementia evaluation, management, and potential normalization
• Infectious disease treatment (respiratory, urinary, reproductive)
• Allergy testing, management, and desensitization (immunotherapy)
• Musculoskeletal disorder treatment (joint pain and spinal disease)
• Comprehensive weight loss and lifestyle improvement strategies

As a coordinated care provider, Dr. Randall also serves as your point of access to a wide range of medical experts that specialize in very specific health care needs, ranging from orthopedic surgeons to oncology physicians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, psychiatrists, and more.

For patients who are living with multiple chronic illnesses, coordinated care may also include medication management, a systematic and comprehensive approach to eliminate unnecessary medications and reduce the risk of side effects and drug interactions.

Reliable, patient-focused care

Here at Innovative Family Health Practices LLC, we’re passionate about providing the kind of patient-centered primary care that makes adolescent and adult patients of all ages happy to call us their primary care medical home.

To find out how we can help you stay healthy today, tomorrow, and in the years to come, call our Mesa, Arizona, office today, or click online to schedule an appointment with Dr. Randall at any time.