Family doctor

A family doctor is a general practitioner who has undergone multidisciplinary training and is able to provide first aid to all family members regardless of their age and gender. Let's look at what the duties of a family doctor include and in what cases you should contact him.

As a rule, the position of family doctor is occupied by qualified specialists, general practitioners and pediatricians who have undergone professional retraining in the specialty of "Family Medicine" and have the appropriate certificate. Family doctors work in state medical institutions to provide primary health care to the population.

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Who is a family doctor?

Who is a family doctor? This is a doctor who treats and monitors the health of all family members. The family doctor advises patients on most issues related to maintaining health. It is the family doctor who gives referrals to other medical specialists who will help in diagnosing and treating a particular disease.

A family doctor conducts regular examinations of his patients. This is necessary to prevent exacerbation of chronic diseases and, if necessary, to provide timely medical care and medical advice.

When should you see your family doctor?

When should you see a family doctor, and what diseases can a doctor help treat? Let's look at the main symptoms that require you to see a family doctor.

• A weakened immune system, soreness, a feeling of fatigue, discomfort, insomnia, headaches - these are the main symptoms that people go to see a family doctor with. As a rule, the cause of the above symptoms is the pinching of the cervical vertebrae. In this case, the family doctor uses several diagnostic methods to confirm the disease, prescribes a course of therapeutic massage and special drugs to the patient that will help relieve the symptoms and cure the cause of the painful condition.
• A sharp weight loss – as a rule, the appearance of such symptoms indicates diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, therefore, it requires immediate medical attention. In women, a sharp weight loss can be associated with ovarian diseases.
• Paralysis, numbness of the limbs, dizziness, general weakness and slurred speech are the symptoms of an approaching stroke. Timely medical care will prevent serious brain damage.
• Headache radiating to the neck, high fever, pain in the ears and eyes are symptoms of meningitis. Meningitis is a serious disease, especially its bacterial form, which requires medical treatment with the use of special antibiotics.
• Frequent constipation and black stool are symptoms of ulcers or cancerous lesions of the intestines and stomach. Black stool indicates internal bleeding, which is dangerous in itself. Such symptoms require mandatory treatment, and in some cases, surgical intervention.
• Severe and sharp headaches, as well as migraines, may indicate a cerebral hemorrhage. Despite the fact that aneurysms are extremely rare, the symptoms that appear cannot be overlooked.

What tests should you take when visiting your family doctor?

What tests should be taken when visiting a family doctor is a pressing issue for patients who are going to see this specialist. It is worth noting that the family doctor prescribes tests after the initial examination, and the tests depend on the symptoms of the disease that is being treated. Standard tests when visiting a family doctor are a general blood test and a urine test. Let's consider what other tests a family doctor may prescribe.

• Blood test for HIV, TORCH infections, biochemical blood test.
• Microflora culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing.
• Collection of material for research from the urogenital tract.
• Stool analysis for intestinal infections.
• Cytological examination and organ biopsy, depending on the symptoms that appear.

What diagnostic methods does a family doctor use?

All doctors use certain methods and technologies to make a diagnosis. Let's look at what diagnostic methods a family doctor uses.

• ECG (electrocardiography) – diagnostics of cardiac arrhythmias and rhythms caused by diseases and injuries.
• Ultrasound (ultrasound examination) is a painless diagnostic method that allows you to scan any organ or part of the body to determine the disorders that caused the disease or painful symptom.
• EEG (Electroencephalography) – diagnostics of the brain.
• MRI and CT (magnetic resonance and computed tomography) – diagnostics of internal organs.

As well as fluorography, colposcopy, mammography and other diagnostic methods.

What does a family doctor do?

What does a family doctor do? This is a question that interests patients who have encountered a specialist in this field for the first time. First of all, it is worth noting that this is a universal qualified doctor who is able to provide diagnostic and therapeutic care in all cases of diseases, both in adults and children. The task of a family doctor is the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and protection from potential infections of all family members. The duties of a family doctor include:

• Formation of a medical site and consultation of family members regarding a healthy lifestyle and other preventive work.
• Carrying out treatment of patients undergoing inpatient treatment at home or in an outpatient clinic. Regular patronage of small children, newborns and pregnant women.
• Conducting activities aimed at preventing the immune system and anti-epidemic consultations. The family doctor issues referrals for consultation, diagnostics or treatment with other doctors, as well as referrals for sanatorium and resort treatment for medical reasons.
• Keeps records and reports on medical care provided within the framework of general medical practice of family medicine.

What diseases does a family doctor treat?

If you or one of your family members is sick, then you should know what diseases a family doctor treats. The doctor deals with consulting any diseases and lesions. If your family doctor is a therapist or pediatrician, then he deals with the treatment of diseases that are within his medical authority.

A family doctor treats excess weight, respiratory diseases, metabolic syndrome, and provides advice on oncological pathologies and atherosclerosis. The doctor's task is to diagnose the disease, find its cause, and prescribe the correct treatment. If necessary, the family doctor gives a referral to other doctors and specialists who will help treat the diseases of your family members.

Advice from a family doctor

Family doctor advice is practical advice and recommendations that help maintain the health of all family members and recognize symptoms that require medical attention.

1. It is necessary to undergo regular medical examinations, both for children and adults. For children, this is an opportunity to recognize deviations and pathologies at early stages of development. And for adults, it is timely assistance in the treatment and prevention of diseases of varying severity. Do not forget about mandatory examinations, every woman should undergo an examination by a gynecologist once every six months, and all family members should undergo fluorography.
2. Cleanliness is the key to health. Maintaining cleanliness in the house and observing the rules of personal hygiene is a guarantee of good health. In addition, cleanliness in the house is a must for people who are allergic to dust or suffer from seasonal allergy attacks.
3. Regular physical activity helps maintain healthy muscle tone, develops strength and endurance. Morning exercises, jogging or a walk in the fresh air before bed are the key to feeling good and being in a great mood.
4. Proper and healthy nutrition is another rule, the observance of which will allow you to maintain the immune system, that is, the protective functions of the body, at a high level. The diet should be varied, but complete (proteins, fats and carbohydrates). This is extremely important for the normal development and growth of children and maintaining health and energy in all family members.
5. In addition to physical health, emotional state is of great importance. Avoid and do not create stressful situations. Know how to relax after a hard day at work. A warm bath, an evening walk, a delicious dinner and communication with family are the ideal methods for maintaining emotional and mental health.

A family doctor is a doctor whose job it is to monitor the health of all family members. The doctor's responsibilities include consulting patients regarding the symptoms of diseases, conducting introductory and explanatory talks regarding a healthy lifestyle among patients of all ages.

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