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Adult Physical Q & A

Why do I need an adult physical?

If you’re generally healthy, it’s common to avoid going to the doctor’s office unless you get sick or become injured. But routine physical exams are the best way to ensure you continue maintaining your health.

After all, chronic conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, don’t develop overnight. Instead, these health issues gradually occur over time and the only way to tell before severe symptoms start showing is to check for specific biomarkers in your blood.

Your adult physical is also your one-on-one time with your dedicated primary care physician (PCP) to discuss all of your concerns, like if you’ve gained weight or need to change your medications. The better you become about scheduling regular exams, the higher your chances of preventing chronic conditions and staying healthy.

How often do I need a routine adult exam?

Typically, if you’re in good health and don’t have any severe health conditions in your family history, Dr. Ohri likes to see you once a year. But you might need to come into the office more frequently if you have:

• Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol

Of course, it’s always important to come in for sick visits as needed between your regularly scheduled exams.

What happens during a routine physical?

Your routine adult physical is tailored to suit your needs, concerns, and overall health. Dr. Ohri strives to care for you as a whole person, rather than treat a specific condition or ailment. In general, it’s common for Dr. Ohri to:

• Request blood work or a urinalysis
• Perform a physical evaluation
• Discuss your family medical history
• Go over your prescription and over-the-counter medications

Some men and women find it helpful to make a list of questions or concerns they have for Dr. Ohri, so they don’t forget to discuss any lingering issues. You should also make a list of your current medications and dosages, or bring in the bottles.

If you’re ready to book your routine adult physical, the team at Innovative Care Medicine can help. Book either online or over the phone.

Diabetes Q & A

What causes diabetes?

Every single cell in your body relies on glucose, a simple sugar, for fuel. When you have diabetes, you run into a problem with insulin.

With Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t produce insulin, resulting in dangerously high glucose levels that can damage vital organs. Usually, Type 1 diabetes occurs because of genetics or damage to your pancreas, possibly from a viral infection.

If you have Type 2 diabetes, your pancreas might produce some insulin, but your body becomes resistant to it. Typically, insulin resistance develops because of excess body weight.

How do I know if I have diabetes?

One of the best ways to determine if you have diabetes is to have a blood test called the A1C, or glycated hemoglobin test. This blood analysis indicates your average blood glucose (blood sugar) level for the previous 2-3 month period, by measuring the percentage of sugar attached to hemoglobin.

If you have a high level of glucose molecules attached to hemoglobin, your A1C is going to be higher. Dr. Ohri may diagnose you with prediabetes or diabetes if you have an A1C between 5.7-6.4%. Or if you have two separate A1C tests at 6.5% or higher, Dr. Ohri could confirm your diabetes diagnosis.

Dr. Ohri also spends time going over possible diabetes-related symptoms during your evaluation. People with diabetes often experience:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Fatigue or irritability

In some cases, you could even have blurred vision or slow-healing sores.

Is there a cure for diabetes?

While no cure for diabetes exists, it’s certainly manageable. With Type 1 diabetes, you usually need to rely on insulin injections or an insulin pump.

Because Type 2 diabetes is often linked to your weight, Dr. Ohri can help you make lifestyle changes to shed pounds or decrease your body fat percentage. Some Type 2 diabetics need insulin injections, while others can manage it with medications.

Diabetes drugs often work by stimulating insulin production from your pancreas, blocking carbohydrate digestion, or by inhibiting glucose release from your liver. Dr. Ohri has specialized training in modern diabetes medications and care, so he can help you find the right drug for your needs.

Get the latest in diabetes management tips and medications by visiting Innovative Care Medicine Book your evaluation either online or over the phone.

High Cholesterol Q & A

What causes high cholesterol?

Cholesterol, a waxy substance, is attached to lipids (fats) in your blood. High cholesterol can stem from:

• Poor diet or being overweight
• Family history
• Inactive lifestyle
• Smoking cigarettes

You’re also more likely to have high cholesterol if you have diabetes, especially if you don’t manage your blood sugar levels.

How can I tell if I have high cholesterol?

Usually, you cannot tell. High cholesterol is sometimes called the “silent killer,” only because it doesn’t cause any symptoms. In many cases, men and women don’t know their cholesterol is dangerously high until they suffer from a serious medical condition, such as a heart attack.

Dr. Ohri usually checks your cholesterol by drawing blood during routine adult physicals. He can help you get on top of it if your numbers start to rise. Ideally, your total cholesterol should fall below 200 mg/dL.

Since low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known for contributing to heart disease, Dr. Ohri wants to see your reading stay below 70 mg/dL. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the beneficial type of cholesterol that your body needs for cell production. Your HDL should be above 60 mg/dL for optimal heart health.

While not a type of cholesterol, Dr. Ohri also evaluates your triglycerides, a fatty substance that also contributes to heart disease. Your triglycerides should stay below 150 mg/dL.

How is high cholesterol treated?

Dr. Ohri customizes your high cholesterol management plan based on your current cholesterol reading, overall health, and family history. He strives to help you make healthy lifestyle changes, including losing weight and increasing physical activity.

If your cholesterol is dangerously high or if lifestyle changes aren’t working, Dr. Ohri is likely going to prescribe medications. Cholesterol-lowering drugs often interact with cholesterol production and absorption and are known for effectively improving both your cholesterol and triglyceride numbers.

If you have high cholesterol, or know that it runs in your family, schedule an evaluation at Innovative Care Medicine Book your visit online or over the phone.

High Blood Pressure Q & A

Why is high blood pressure a concern?

Your blood pressure includes both the force exerted when your heart pumps blood, as well as the resistance of blood flow throughout your arteries. The narrower your arteries, for example, if you have cholesterol buildup (atherosclerosis), the harder your heart has to work.

Over time, this extra strain on your heart muscle begins to weaken it. Plus, the added force can damage arteries, veins, and vessels. This combination of issues can drastically increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease.

How can I tell if I have high blood pressure?

Generally, you do not know before your diagnosis. Much like high cholesterol, high blood pressure can also be a “silent killer,” since it doesn’t typically lead to any signs or symptoms until you have a severe issue. Usually, your blood pressure should be less than 120/80 mmHg. Dr. Ohri might diagnose you with high blood pressure if it reaches or goes above 140/90 mmHg.

If you do start experiencing symptoms related to high blood pressure, it’s because you’re usually having a hypertensive crisis, where your blood pressure reaches above 180/120 mmHg. When this happens, you might notice:

• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Nosebleeds

Because a hypertensive crisis is considered a medical emergency, you need to seek immediate medical treatment.

How is high blood pressure treated?

Some of the best things you can do to treat high blood pressure are equally as beneficial for lowering your cholesterol and preserving your overall heart health. For instance, Dr. Ohri can get you started on the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which involves reducing your sodium intake.

Between making healthy changes in your diet, reaching an ideal body weight, and exercising more, your blood pressure should gradually improve. If lifestyle changes aren’t working or if your blood pressure is dangerously high, Dr. Ohri might prescribe medications. High blood pressure medications work by:

• Eliminating excess sodium and water from your system
• Relaxing blood vessels
• Slowing your heart rate

Because each drug works differently, Dr. Ohri spends time with you to determine which medication is most likely going to benefit you.

Book your high blood pressure visit at Innovative Care Medicine either online or over the phone.

Senior Care Q & A

Which diseases are most common in seniors?

One of the most common issues seniors over age 65 face is some form of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. About half of all seniors struggle with arthritis, which is known for leading the agonizing pain that can lower your quality of life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains.

But the leading cause of death of adults over age 65 is heart disease. As you age, you’re also more likely to develop:

• Certain forms of cancer
• Chronic respiratory diseases
• Cognitive conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease
• Osteoporosis and diabetes
• Overactive bladder

Plus, since your immune system isn’t as efficient as it was when you were younger, and you have a harder time fighting bacterial and viral infections, you’re more likely to have complications with seasonal flu or pneumonia.

How often do I need a senior physical?

How often you need a physical as a senior depends on your overall health and previous medical history. If you’re generally healthy and don’t have any worrisome biomarkers in your blood, Dr. Ohri might suggest annual visits. This exam is your opportunity to get any necessary blood work and to get caught up on necessary senior vaccinations, such as the flu shot.

He’s likely going to want to see you more regularly if you have chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. In these cases, you might need to schedule a senior physical twice a year, or as recommended.

Which treatments help with chronic conditions in seniors?

As a board-certified family practitioner, Dr. Ohri has extensive training in caring for seniors and helping them manage chronic conditions. Because he wants to help improve your quality of life and decrease any pain or discomfort you experience, he generally starts by coaching you through lifestyle changes such as:

• Losing weight
• Watching your diet
• Incorporating more physical activity

In some cases, like for high cholesterol or blood pressure, you might need prescription medications. Dr. Ohri has advanced training in the latest types of medications and knows precisely how they interact with each other. He finds the right drugs for your needs while working to minimize side effects or negative interactions.

If you’re looking for a physician who specializes in senior health care, the team at Innovative Care Medicine can help. Book your exam by using the online scheduling feature or by calling the clinic.

Pap Smear Q & A

What is a Pap smear?

A Pap smear is a simple in-office test that involves gathering a sample of cells from your cervix. During your visit, your practitioner inserts a small speculum into your vagina, which opens up your vaginal walls. They gently scrape your uterus and place your sample on a specimen plate, which gets sent to the lab.

How often do I need a Pap test?

Generally, you should start getting regular Pap tests around age 21, or when you become sexually active — whichever comes first. If you’re in excellent overall health and have never had an abnormal Pap, Dr. Ohri often recommends having a Pap smear every three years for women ages 21-65.

In some cases, cervical cancer stems from a viral infection that’s caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). If you have HPV testing alongside your Pap test, you might be able to wait up to five years between Pap smears, as long as you’ve never had an abnormal test.

Why is my Pap smear abnormal?

It can be overwhelming to learn that you had an abnormal Pap test but don’t stress. Dr. Ohri typically suggests having a second Pap smear to compare results. In some cases, abnormal Pap results occur because of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS).

While these cells are abnormal, they’re not necessarily precancerous. Dr. Ohri might want to reanalyze your sample to check for viruses that promote cancer development, such as HPV. Atypical glandular cells are also abnormal, but you need further testing to see if they’re cancerous.

After further testing, if your Pap smear results are still abnormal, Dr. Ohri could find that you have precancerous cells (squamous intraepithelial cells), or cancerous cells (squamous or adenocarcinoma cells). In these cases, you’re probably going to need a minimally invasive gynecological surgery to have the abnormal cells and tissues removed.

How do I prepare for a Pap smear?

Even though a Pap smear is a routine test, you need to do a few things to prepare. For instance, avoid having sexual intercourse or douching for two days before your exam. You also need to stop using vaginal medicines, including yeast infection treatments, two days prior.

Otherwise, your test results might not be accurate or can come back abnormal. To ensure Dr. Ohri can collect a thorough sample from your cervix, you should also avoid scheduling a Pap test during your menstrual period.

You can book your preventive Pap smear at Innovative Care Medicine either online or over the phone.

Medicare Physicals Q & A

Why do I need a Medicare physical?

When you first enroll in Medicare Part B, you’re required to go through a one-time preventive physical call the “Welcome to Medicare” exam. This visit includes a thorough evaluation of your current and previous health, as well as scheduling preventive screenings you’re going to need.

After your initial Medicare physical, which is covered by Medicare during your first 12 months on the program, you can schedule annual wellness visits. While a “Welcome to Medicare” physical isn’t mandatory, Medicare won’t cover a wellness visit during your first 12 months unless you’ve had the initial “Welcome” exam.

What happens during a Medicare physical?

During your “Welcome to Medicare” preventive physical, Dr. Ohri spends time going over your medical history, as well as your family history. He’s going to calculate your body mass index (BMI) by checking your height and weight. This calculation helps determine if you need screening or counseling for lifestyle changes for overweight or obesity-related conditions.

Your Medicare exam is also likely going to include:

• Blood pressure check
• Simple vision test
• Mental health check
• Vaccination updates

Dr. Ohri might also go over your options for advanced medical directives. He can even evaluate your current prescription medications and make any essential changes to your dosages. After this exam, Dr. Ohri typically suggests scheduling yearly wellness visits for all men and women on Medicare.

How do I prepare for a Medicare physical?

When booking your “Welcome to Medicare” or annual Medicare wellness physical, ask the team at Innovative Care Medicine if you need to fast beforehand. In some cases, like if you need your cholesterol or blood sugar checked, you may need to avoid foods and drinks the night before your exam. Some of the other things you can do for preparation include:

• Bring in a list of current medications and dosages
• Gather your previous medical records
• Print out your vaccination history

You also need to bring your valid state-issued identification and Medicare card with you to your visit.

If you need a Medicare physical, use the online scheduling system to book a visit to Innovative Care Medicine You can also call the clinic to schedule.