Family doctor
A family doctor is a general practitioner who has completed a multidisciplinary training and is able to provide first aid to all family members regardless of their age and gender. Let's consider what is the responsibility of the family doctor, and in what cases should he be treated.
As a rule, the position of a family doctor is occupied by qualified specialists, physicians and pediatricians who have undergone professional retraining in the specialty "Family Medicine" and have a corresponding certificate. A family doctor works in public medical institutions to provide primary health care to the public.
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 of the issues related to health preservation. It is the family doctor that gives directions to other medical specialists who will help in the diagnosis and treatment of a particular disease.
A family doctor performs regular examinations of his patients. This is necessary in order to prevent the worsening of chronic diseases and, if necessary, to provide timely medical assistance and medical advice.
When should I go to the family doctor?
When should I go to the family doctor, and in the treatment of what diseases the doctor will help? Let's look at the main symptoms, when you need to turn to the family doctor.
- A weakened immune system, tenderness, fatigue, discomfort, insomnia, headaches are the main symptoms that are addressed to the family doctor. As a rule, the cause of the above described symptoms is the infringement of the cervical vertebrae. In this case, the family doctor uses several methods of diagnosis to confirm the disease, appoints a patient a course of therapeutic massage and special medications that will help to remove symptoms and cure the cause of the disease state.
- Sharp weight loss - as a rule, the appearance of such symptoms indicates a gastrointestinal disease, therefore requires immediate medical attention. In women, sudden weight loss can be associated with diseases of the ovaries.
- Paralysis, numbness of limbs, dizziness, general weakness and indiscriminate speech - this is symptomatic of an approaching stroke. The timely provision of medical care will prevent serious brain damage.
- Headache, giving in the neck, high fever, pain in the ears and eyes - these 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 a black stool are symptoms of an ulcer or cancerous lesions of the intestine and stomach. Black stools indicate internal bleeding, which is dangerous in itself. Such symptoms require compulsory treatment, and in some cases, surgical intervention.
- Strong and sharp headaches, as well as migraine may indicate a hemorrhage to the brain. Despite the fact that aneurysms are extremely rare, you can not overlook the symptomatology that is manifested.
What tests should I take when I visit a family doctor?
What tests need to be handled when addressing a family doctor is an urgent issue for patients who are going to see a specialist. It is worth noting that the delivery of tests is appointed by the family doctor after the initial examination, and the tests depend on the symptomatology of the disease that is to be treated. Standard tests when referring to a family doctor - a general blood test and urinalysis. Let's see what other tests the family doctor can prescribe.
- Blood test for HIV, TORCH - infection, biochemical blood test.
- Sowing on the microflora and sensitivity to antibiotics.
- Collection of material for research from the urogenital tract.
- Stool test for intestinal infections.
- Cytological examination and biopsy of organs, depending on the symptomatology.
What methods of diagnosis does the family doctor use?
All doctors use certain methods and technologies for diagnosis. Let's consider what diagnostic methods the family doctor uses.
- ECG (electrocardiography) - diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias and rhythms, which are caused by diseases and injuries.
- Ultrasound (ultrasound) is a painless diagnostic method that allows any organ or part of the body to be scanned to identify abnormalities that have caused a disease or a painful symptom.
- EEG (Electroencephalography) - Diagnosis of the brain.
- MRI and CT (magnetic resonance and computed tomography) - diagnosis of internal organs.
And also fluorography, colposcopy, mammography and other diagnostic methods.
What does the family doctor do?
What a family doctor does is a question that interests patients who first encountered a specialist in this field. First of all, it should be noted that this is a universal qualified physician who is able to provide diagnostic and therapeutic assistance in all cases of diseases, both in adults and in children. The task of the family doctor is the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and protection against potential infections of all family members. The duties of the family doctor include:
- Formation of a medical site and consultation of family members regarding a healthy lifestyle and other preventive work.
- Carrying out of treatment of patients staying on inpatient treatment, at home or in an outpatient clinic. Regular patronage of young children, newborns and pregnant women.
- Conducting activities aimed at the prevention of the immune system and antiepidemic consultations. The family doctor issues referrals for consultation, diagnosis or treatment with other doctors, as well as referrals to sanatorium and spa treatment for medical reasons.
- Is engaged in the account and keeps the reporting concerning the rendered medical aid within the limits of the general medical practice of family medicine.
What diseases does the family doctor treat?
If you or one member of your family is sick, then you should know what kind of illness the family doctor treats. The doctor is engaged in counseling any diseases and lesions. If your family doctor, therapist or pediatrician, he is engaged in the treatment of diseases that are part of his medical authority.
The family doctor deals with the treatment of overweight, respiratory diseases, metabolic syndrome, consults on oncological pathologies and atherosclerosis. The doctor's task is to diagnose the disease, find its cause and prescribe the right treatment. If necessary, the family doctor gives a referral to other doctors and specialists who will help in the treatment of diseases of members of your family.
Family doctor's advice
Family doctor's advice is practical advice and recommendations that help maintain the health of all family members and recognize the symptoms that require medical attention.
- It is necessary to regularly undergo medical examinations, both for children and adults. For children, this is an opportunity to recognize abnormalities and pathologies in the early stages of development. And for adults - timely assistance in the treatment and prevention of diseases of varying severity. Do not forget about compulsory examinations, every woman, every six months must be examined by a gynecologist, and all family members undergo a fluorography.
- Cleanliness is the guarantee of health. Maintenance of cleanliness in the house and observance of rules of personal hygiene is a guarantee of good state of health. In addition, cleanliness in the home is a mandatory rule for people who are allergic to dust or suffer from seasonal allergic seizures.
- Regular exercise allows you to maintain a healthy muscle tone, develop strength and endurance. Charging in the morning, jogging or walking outdoors before going to bed is a pledge of well-being and a good mood.
- Proper and healthy nutrition is another rule, observance of which will help to maintain the immune system, that is, the protective functions of the body at a high level. The diet should be varied, but high-grade (proteins, fats and carbohydrates). This is extremely important for the normal development and growth of children and the maintenance of health and energy for all family members.
- In addition to physical health, emotional state is of great importance. Avoid and do not create stressful situations. Be able to relax after a hard day's work. A warm bath, an evening walk, a tasty supper and socializing with relatives are the ideal method of preserving emotional and mental health.
A family doctor is a doctor whose task is to monitor the health of all family members. In the duties of the doctor, patient consultations regarding the symptoms of diseases, conducting familiarization and explanatory discussions of a relative healthy lifestyle among patients of all ages.
Medical expert editor
Portnov Alexey Alexandrovich
Education: Kiev National Medical University. A.A. Bogomolets, Specialty - "General Medicine"
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