According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 129 million people in the U.S. have some type of chronic illness. And if you're one of them, visiting Dr. Elizabeth Biggers and Dr. Joel Biggers at Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL, for preventive care can help ward off serious complications in the future.
Frequency of Visits
You'll need to visit a family medicine provider for preventive care at least once per year. In some cases, we may recommend you visit us in Brandon, FL, more frequently to ensure your condition is managed as well as possible.
What Happens at Visits
When you visit us for a chronic illness, we'll discuss with you any symptoms or issues you're currently experiencing that could indicate we need to figure out a better course of treatment.
Sometimes, we'll request you undergo certain diagnostics so we can get an accurate understanding of what's going on internally. Based on our results, we'll alter your treatment approach as necessary. Though, in many cases, you may not need any adjustments.
We'll also provide you with lifestyle advice at your visit, so you can work on improving your health overall and better managing your condition at home while preventing complications.
Depending on your chronic condition, we may recommend vaccinations that can prevent illnesses that could be serious because of your weakened immune system or health issues. For example, getting the flu and COVID vaccinations and staying up to date on them can be beneficial if you have asthma or diabetes.
Possible Referral
More often than not, a provider from our practice can manage your condition, especially if you've already seen a specialist. With that being said, in the more serious cases, we can refer you to a specialist to get your treatment on track.
Listening to Your Concerns
While patients often say what they think we want to hear, this isn't helpful for your health. Please let us know if you're having any struggles adhering to your condition-specific diet, exercising as recommended, or any other lifestyle habits recommended. Even if there's an issue taking your medication, we want to know.
By understanding your challenges, we can find you a feasible solution. Sometimes, it's a helpful tip. Other times, it's altering the suggestion to better suit your needs and life.
At Biggers Family Medicine, serving Brandon, FL, and the general vicinity, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Joel provide chronic disease management and can work with your specialist. By visiting us regularly for preventive care, you can be on top of your illness and optimize your quality of life and health as much as possible.