Family Medicine

Family Medicine

Family medicine physicians treat people at every age and life stage. Imagine having the same doctor for most of your life. Or having your whole family — from your newborn to your grandparents — see the same doctor. They understand you holistically, with the big picture of your life in mind. A family doctor is your true health partner along your life journey. Not just through a life stage or health event.

While it’s convenient for families to see the same doctor, you don’t have to have a family to partner with a family medicine doctor. They’re here for you no matter your age, relationship or parental status.

Prevention and wellness

The best way to stay healthy is to take an active, ongoing role in your wellness. But you need an expert to help you figure out which preventive care, path and goals are right for you. Should you do more yoga or cardio? Eat a keto, caveman or vegan diet? Do you really need that vaccine or cancer screening? Everyone’s answers are different. Let your family medicine doctor help you find the answers based on the health factors that make you uniquely you.

Your family medicine doctor will work with you to help you stay on track with preventive care, such as:

• Adult well-care checkups

• Health-risk assessments

• Screenings

• Vaccinations

• Well-child and school physicals

Annual Exams and Screenings

It’s easy to let annual exams fall off your to-do list. After all, you’re busy and you feel fine. But your health is important and you’re worth being number one on your list. Getting a clean bill of health at an annual exam or screening gives you peace of mind, reinforces your good habits and inspires you to keep up the great work.

Annual exams and screenings can also give you the chance to course correct early on if a possible problem or family history is lurking. Things like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar can sneak up on you without symptoms, so the sooner you’re aware, the easier it is to manage or reverse.

Annual exams and screenings are important for all stages. Here’s a quick summary:

Birth – 17: Find details on pediatrics well-care

Ages 18-39: Yearly screenings include checking your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, weight, skin, and reproductive health. See more details

Ages 40-64: Learn when to have vaccinations, colonoscopy, mammograms, prostate screenings, and whether you should see a specialist due to your personal or family history.

Ages 65 and better: Learn which screenings to continue and which to add. You may need to keep closer tabs on your hearing, vision and bone health.

Download our complete Health Screening Guide.

Vaccinations

Because of vaccines, many debilitating diseases that used to be common are now rare in the United States. Orlando Health agrees with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that we must continue to vaccinate to keep these diseases from roaring back. When you and your family are vaccinated, you’re protecting your loved ones — and making the whole community safer. A baby who is too young for a measles vaccine is safer when the rest of the neighborhood is vaccinated against measles. A person being treated for cancer is safer when their community is vaccinated to prevent flu, whooping cough and other diseases that could overwhelm their weakened immune systems.

Orlando Health follows the American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC immunization schedule for children from birth to 18 years.

Adult immunizations are equally important, as they can help prevent serious illnesses like measles, the flu (influenza) and even pneumonia.

Your Coach for Long-Term Health Goals

When you want to be successful in the long run, it helps to get some short-term wins along the way. Your family doctor works with you to set your vision for the future, and helps coach you and cheer you on at every step you take in the right direction.

Whether you want to be stronger or leaner, or get your cholesterol in check, your personal plan depends on your body, your challenges and your starting point. Before you hop on the latest health bandwagon, partner with your family doctor to find what’s right for you.

Think of your healthcare team as your coaches. Our doctors will work with you to set personalized health goals.

Read tips for long-term health goals

Questions for Your Doctor

Get the most out of your doctor visits by coming prepared with questions. Write them down and bring them with you to your appointment. Not sure what to ask? Here are some examples:

Am I due for any health screenings?

How is my weight?

Is there anything I should (or shouldn’t) be eating?

What’s the best way for me to lose weight?

How much exercise do I need each day or each week?

Is it safe for me to start (walking, running, biking, weightlifting, etc.)?

How can I take my health and fitness to the next level?

Does the medication I’m taking need to be changed or adjusted?

What do I need to know about my upcoming treatment?

How can I learn more about my personal health?

What Internet resources do you recommend for health information?

What should I work on before I see you again?

What can I do to prevent this from happening again?

What do you do for personal wellness?

When will I need to see you again?

Conditions We Treat

From aches and pains to strains and sprains, we treat a wide variety of illnesses and injuries, including:

• Arthritis

• Common sprains: ankle, wrist, finger

• Common strains: back, groin

• Diabetes

• Headaches

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Mood disorders

• Skin conditions

• Thyroid disease