Here at Boca Raton Family & Pediatric Center we share a passion and that is improving the lives of our patients.
Our mission is to provide affordable high quality patient oriented care. To do this we utilize available technologies
and strategies to adapt to an ever changing healthcare environment. We feel it is important to have a trusting relationship
with your physician and this includes good communication and an ability to relate well with others.
It is very important to have one doctor who knows all your medical history. Many people have complicated problems
that require specialists, but still need one physician who can help coordinate your health care needs.
Specialists play an important role in your health care.
In fact, many people see several specialists.
It essential to have a primary care doctor help you manage all of your medical issues. A doctor that knows you, your problems and your medications.
For example, your ophthalmologist can take excellent care of your eyes; but if you have a question about your high blood pressure medicine or about an influenza vaccine, it is not their area of expertise.
It is the job of you primary doctor to help you manage your health.
Dr. Luis Alvarez works in close partnership with his sister Dr. Sandra Alvarez. Both physicians see all ages of patients and if one doctor is unavailable the other is happy to accomodate your needs.
It essential to have a primary care doctor help you manage all of your medical issues. A doctor that knows you, your problems and your medications.
- Dr Luis Alvarez, Ph.D.M.D. of Medicine, Boca Raton Family & Pediatric Center
Another advantage of choosing a Family Physician is that when several members of the same family are sick, they can all be evaluated and treated at the same time. There is no hassle of trying to arrange appointments with three or four physicians. We treat patients of all ages. We also treats acute and chronic problems and is on staff at West Boca Medical Center.
The physical exam is an essential part of any doctor's visit. Surprisingly, though, there are no absolutes in a routine physical. A good doctor may be thorough or brief, but they will spend time listening to your concerns and providing counseling for your particular complaints and risk factors. Annual exams usually check your:
This is your chance to mention any complaints or concerns about your health. Your doctor will also likely quiz you about lifestyle behaviors like smoking, excessive alcohol use, sexual health, diet, and exercise. The doctor will also check on your vaccination status and update your personal and family medical history.
These are some vital signs checked by your doctor:
Your doctor gathers a large amount of information about you and your health just by watching and talking to you. How is your memory and mental quickness? Does your skin appear healthy? Can you easily stand and walk?
Listening to your heart with a stethoscope, a doctor might detect an irregular heartbeat, a heart murmur, or other clues to heart disease.
Using a stethoscope, a doctor listens for crackles, wheezes, or decreased breath sounds. These and other sounds are clues to the presence of heart or lung disease.
Opening up and saying "ah" shows off your throat and tonsils. The quality of your teeth and gums also provides information about your overall health. Ears, nose, sinuses, eyes, lymph nodes, thyroid, and carotid arteries may also be examined.
Your doctor can use a range of examination techniques including tapping your abdomen to detect liver size and presence of abdominal fluid, listening for bowel sounds with a stethoscope, and palpating for tenderness.
Nerves, muscle strength, reflexes, balance, and mental state may be assessed.
Skin and nail findings could indicate a dermatological problem or disease somewhere else in the body.
Your doctor will look for physical and sensory changes. Pulses can be checked in your arms and legs. Examining joints can assess for abnormalities.
An annual physical exam for men might also include:
A woman's annual exam might include:
For a full and complete comprehensive guide please refer directly to the Florida Department of Eduction's website:
School & Sports Physicals are taken by appointment & walk in.
The comprehensive school physical is $100.00 - which includes the
required blue and yellow forms.
It is a complete history and physical exam. If immunizations are required,
please bring records. Vaccines price is not included as required vaccines
depend entirely the patient's immunization status. Please inquire during your
visit. The school physicals are for children entering daycare, preschool,
VPK Kindergarten and all grades thereafter. If you have specific questions
please call the office for more details.
Please bring a copy or request by fax the immunization record when you are here for your appointment. Some physician offices charge a fee to the patient for records- this does not apply if the request is made by fax from one doctor's office to another.
If you are moving here from out of state. Florida requires that a physical examination be done and filled out on Florida State Forms. This also applies to the vaccination record. Unless it is necessary, it is usually more economical for families to have the new physical done in Florida not prior to moving here. That way you do not have to pay for two school physicals.
Sports physicals are usually a part of registering youths for participation in a sport. Schools generally require an evaluation for children to participate, with regulations varying according to the rules of the respective state, school or a sport's governing body. A sports physical helps to assure that the student is healthy and physically ready for their chosen activity such as baseball, football, soccer or track. Before registering, check with the school about their eligibility requirements. The purpose is to help minimize the risk of injury while your child plays.
Physicals for participants in School Sports are $100.00
For the latest forms and updated information on Immigration Physicals please refer directly to the USCIS website:
The doctors at Boca Raton Family and Pediatric Center have been designated Civil Surgeons by the USCIS and can perform immigration physicals.
Internal medicine or general internal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of internal diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called
internists, or physicians.
Also called family doctors or internists, general practitioners often develop an ongoing relationship
with you, providing continuity of care. They treat common medical conditions and perform routine exams.
They refer you to other medical services or doctors if you need urgent or specialized treatment.
A general practitioner focuses on your overall health: physical and mental. They serve an important
role in a much wider healthcare system. One of their main goals is to keep you healthy and out of the hospital.
In an emergency, a general practitioner can provide life-saving treatment until emergency services arrive.
General practitioners work as a part of a larger team — including nurses, pharmacists, psychiatrists, and others —
to support your holistic ( whole-body) care. They’re an essential part of preventative medicine and health education.
The general practitioner’s duties are broad. Some examples of the care they provide include:
General practitioners can help you with many routine and serious conditions. There are several reasons to visit your general practitioner, including:
One of the general practitioner’s most important roles is performing routine screenings for health conditions. You may benefit from visiting a general practitioner to check for conditions, such as:
General practitioners can be instrumental in the early detection of health conditions as well as preventative medicine. If you have a family history of chronic illness, are at-risk for a chronic condition, or are experiencing symptoms, a screening by your general practitioner will benefit your health and peace of mind.
Beyond this, general practitioners are a great resource for staying updated on all necessary immunizations and preventative care.
An equally important duty of the general practitioner is treating illness and injuries.
Visit your general practitioner when you’re sick, injured, or experiencing concerning symptoms.
A general practitioner can use lab tests to diagnose illness, prescribe medication as treatment,
assess your overall health, and connect you with a specialist if needed.
General practitioners can treat acute (short-term) conditions, such as:
General practitioners can provide prescriptions, lifestyle recommendations, and follow-up care for chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and some mental health conditions.
A general practitioner appointment typically lasts 10 to 30 minutes. Your general practitioner may:
An eating plan that helps manage your weight includes a variety of healthy foods.
Add an array of colors to your plate and think of it as eating the rainbow. Dark,
leafy greens, oranges, and tomatoes—even fresh herbs—are loaded with vitamins, fiber,
and minerals. Adding frozen peppers, broccoli, or onions to stews and omelets gives them a
quick and convenient boost of color and nutrients.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025, a healthy eating plan:
Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits are great choices. Try fruits beyond apples and bananas such as mango, pineapple or kiwi fruit. When fresh fruit is not in season, try a frozen, canned, or dried variety. Be aware that dried and canned fruit may contain added sugars or syrups. Choose canned varieties of fruit packed in water or in its own juice.
Add variety to grilled or steamed vegetables with an herb such as rosemary. You can also sauté (panfry) vegetables in a non-stick pan with a small amount of cooking spray. Or try frozen or canned vegetables for a quick side dish—just microwave and serve. Look for canned vegetables without added salt, butter, or cream sauces. For variety, try a new vegetable each week.
In addition to fat-free and low-fat milk, consider low-fat and fat-free yogurts without added sugars. These come in a variety of flavors and can be a great dessert substitute.
If your favorite recipe calls for frying fish or breaded chicken, try healthier variations by baking or grilling. Maybe even try dry beans in place of meats. Ask friends and search the internet and magazines for recipes with fewer calories ― you might be surprised to find you have a new favorite dish!
Healthy eating is all about balance. You can enjoy your favorite foods,
even if they are high in calories, fat or added sugars. The key is eating
them only once in a while and balancing them with healthier foods and more physical activity.
Some general tips for comfort foods:
An electrocardiogram records the electrical signals in your heart. It's a common and painless test used to
quickly detect heart problems and monitor your heart's health.
Electrocardiograms — also called ECGs or EKGs — are often done in a doctor's
office, a clinic or a hospital room. ECG machines are standard equipment in operating
rooms and ambulances. Some personal devices, such as smart watches, offer ECG monitoring.
Ask your doctor if this is an option for you.
An electrocardiogram is a painless, noninvasive way to help diagnose many common heart problems in people of all ages. Your doctor may use an electrocardiogram to determine or detect:
The American Heart Association doesn't recommend using electrocardiograms to assess adults at low risk who don't
have symptoms. But if you have a family history of heart disease, your doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram as
a screening test, even if you have no symptoms.
If your symptoms tend to come and go, they may not be captured during a standard ECG recording. In this case your
doctor may recommend remote or continuous ECG monitoring. There are several different types.
For a full and complete comprehensive guide please refer directly to the CDC's website, for the latest information on Flu Vaccines:
Influenza (flu) vaccines (often called “flu shots”) are vaccines that protect against the four influenza viruses that research indicates most common during the upcoming season. Most flu vaccines are “flu shots” given with a needle, usually in the arm, but there also is also a nasal spray flu vaccine.
Yes. There are different flu vaccine manufacturers and multiple influenza vaccine products licensed
and recommended for use in the United States.
CDC recommends use of any licensed, age-appropriate influenza vaccine during the 2021-2022 influenza season.
Available influenza vaccines include including quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines [IIV4s], recombinant
influenza vaccine [RIV4], or live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4). No preference is expressed for any
influenza vaccine over another.
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get an influenza (flu) vaccine every season with rare exception.
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has made this recommendation since the 2010-2011 influenza season.
Vaccination to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications is particularly important for people who are at higher
risk of developing serious flu complications.
Different influenza (flu) vaccines are approved for use in people in different age groups. In addition, some vaccines
are not recommended for certain groups of people. Factors that can determine a person’s suitability for vaccination, or
vaccination with a particular vaccine, include a person’s age, health (current and past) and any allergies to flu vaccine
or its components.
Common side effects from a flu shot include soreness, redness, and/or swelling where the shot was given, headache (low grade), fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue. The flu shot, like other injections, can occasionally cause fainting.
Life-threatening allergic reactions to flu shots are very rare. Signs of serious allergic reaction can
include breathing problems, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, or
dizziness. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after receiving the shot.
These reactions can occur among persons who are allergic to something that is in the vaccine, such as egg
protein or other ingredients. While severe reactions are uncommon, you should let your doctor, nurse, clinic,
or pharmacist know if you have a history of allergy or severe reaction to influenza vaccine or any part of flu vaccine.
There is a small possibility that flu vaccine could be associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome, generally no
more than 1 or 2 cases per million people vaccinated. This is much lower than the risk of severe complications
from flu, which can be prevented by flu vaccine.
Call a doctor or get to a doctor right away.
Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when you got the flu shot.
Flu vaccine side effects are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days. Some side effects that may occur from a flu shot include soreness, redness, and/or swelling where the shot was given, headache (low grade), fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue. The flu shot, like other injections, can occasionally cause fainting.
Some people who get vaccinated may still get sick. However, flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick:
People with egg allergies can receive any licensed, recommended age-appropriate influenza vaccine (IIV4, RIV4, or LAIV4) that is otherwise appropriate. People who have a history of severe egg allergy (those who have had any symptom other than hives after exposure to egg) should be vaccinated in a medical setting, supervised by a health care provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic reactions. Two completely egg-free (ovalbumin-free) flu vaccine options are available: uadrivalent recombinant vaccine and quadrivalent cell-based vaccine.
For a full and complete comprehensive guide please refer directly to the CDC's website, for the latest information on Immunizations:
¶ = Recommended vaccination for adults who meet age requirement, lack documentation of vaccination, or lack evidence of past infection
§ = Recommended vaccination for adults with an additional risk factor or another indication
± = Recommended vaccination based on shared clinical decision-making
⇒ = No recommendation/Not applicable
For a full and complete comprehensive guide please refer directly to the CDC's website, for the latest information on Immunizations:
¶ = Range of recommended ages for all children
†= Range of recommended ages for catch-up immunization
§ = Range of recommended ages for certain high-risk groups
± = Recommended based on shared clinical decision-making or *can be used in this age group
• = No recommendation/Not applicable
Vaccine | Birth | 1 mo | 2 mos | 4 mos | 6 mos | 9 mos | 12 mos | 15 mos |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hepatitis B (HepB) |
1st dose¶ | ←2nd dose→¶ | † | ←3rd dose→¶ | ||||
Rotavirus (RV) RV1 (2-dose series); RV5 (3-dose series) |
• | • | 1st dose¶ | 2nd dose¶ | ¶ | • | • | • |
Diphtheria, tetanus, & acellular pertussis (DTaP: <7 yrs) |
• | • | 1st dose¶ | 2nd dose¶ | 3rd dose¶ | † | ←4th dose→¶ | |
Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) |
• | • | 1st dose¶ | 2nd dose¶ | ¶ | † | ←3rd or 4th dose, →¶ |
|
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) |
• | • | 1st dose¶ | 2nd dose¶ | 3rd dose¶ | † | ←4th dose→¶ | |
Inactivated poliovirusbr> (IPV: <18 yrs) | • | • | 1st dose¶ | 2nd dose¶ | ←3rd dose→¶ | |||
Influenza (IIV) | • | • | • | • | Annual vaccination 1 or 2 doses | |||
Influenza(LAIV4) |
• | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) |
• | • | • | • | § | ←1st dose→¶ | ||
Varicella (VAR) |
• | • | • | • | • | • | ←1st dose→¶ | |
Hepatitis A (HepA) |
• | • | • | • | § | ←2-dose series, →¶ | ||
Tetanus, diphtheria, & acellular pertussis (Tdap: ≥7 yrs) |
• | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
Human papillomavirus (HPV) |
• | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
Meningococcal (MenACWY-D ≥9 mos, MenACWY-CRM ≥2 mos, MenACWY-TT ≥2years) |
• | • | § | |||||
Meningococcal B (MenB) |
• | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23) |
• | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
For a full and complete comprehensive guide please refer directly to the CDC's website, for the latest information on Immunizations:
¶ = Range of recommended ages for all children
†= Range of recommended ages for catch-up immunization
§ = Range of recommended ages for certain high-risk groups
± = Recommended based on shared clinical decision-making or *can be used in this age group
• = No recommendation/Not applicable
Vaccines | 18 mos | 19-23 mos | 2-3 yrs | 4-6 yrs | 7-10 yrs | 11-12 yrs | 13-15 yrs | 16 yrs | 17-18 yrs | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(HepB) |
←3rd dose→ | ||||||||||||
(RV) RV1 (2-dose series); RV5 (3-dose series) |
|||||||||||||
(DTaP: <7 yrs) |
←4th dose→ | 5th dose | |||||||||||
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) |
|||||||||||||
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) |
|||||||||||||
Inactivated poliovirus (IPV: <18 yrs) |
←3rd dose→ | 4th dose | |||||||||||
Influenza (IIV) | Annual vaccination 1 or 2 doses | Annual vaccination 1 dose only | |||||||||||
Influenza (LAIV4) |
Annual vaccination 1 or 2 doses |
Annual vaccination 1 dose only | |||||||||||
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) |
2nd dose | ||||||||||||
Varicella (VAR) |
2nd dose | ||||||||||||
Hepatitis A (HepA) |
← 2-dose series, See notes→ | ||||||||||||
Tetanus, diphtheria, & acellular pertussis (Tdap: ≥7 yrs) |
Tdap | ||||||||||||
Human papillomavirus (HPV) |
|||||||||||||
* | |||||||||||||
Meningococcal (MenACWY-D ≥9 mos, MenACWY-CRM ≥2 mos, MenACWY-TT ≥2years) |
1st dose | 2nd dose | |||||||||||
Meningococcal B (MenB) |
|||||||||||||
Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23) |
Medications play a critical role in the treatment of various mental health issues.
The right medication can reduce or eliminate symptoms and significantly improve a patient’s quality of life.
However, mental health professionals are keenly aware that the efficacy of medications vary from patient to patient.
Although it may seem random, trained professionals know how to account for various factors, including medical history and medication plan.
Medication management is a level of outpatient treatment that involves the initial evaluation of the patient’s need for psychotropic medications,
the provision of a prescription, and ongoing medical monitoring related to the patient’s use of the psychotropic medication by a qualified
physician/prescriber. Medication management includes monitoring, reconciling medications, and ensuring patients get the desired outcomes.
It requires a thorough review of prescribed drugs and their possible side effects to create treatment plans and monitor their safety and efficacy.
In 2018 the US population ages sixty-five and older numbered 52.4 million, with older adults representing 15.6 percent of the population.
By 2030, 20 percent of Americans will be age sixty-five or older. The most striking aspect of this population is its heterogeneity. In 2017,
23 percent of older Americans were members of racial and ethnic populations, and this percentage will increase by an estimated 135 percent
between 2017 and 2040, compared with 36 percent for the non-Hispanic White population.2 And although stereotypes portray older people as frail,
disengaged, and cognitively impaired, many are industrious, creative, and intelligent into the tenth decade of life.
Because of momentous advances in science and technology, the knowledge and skills exist to provide excellent preventive and clinical care to this cohort.
What is now needed is the policy, and the will, to take collective action to ensure that all older adults are engaged in health promotion and disease
prevention and receive equitable, person-centered, high-quality care. Effective policies are needed that can bridge the gaps between public health,
health care, and other sectors of the economy, focusing on social determinants of health and preventive measures to reduce the burden of chronic
disease while also providing person-centered care to those with serious illness.
Here are some reasons that you may need your blood drawn:
As part of a wellness physical (which screens for a number of different things like thyroid and metabolic issues).
We will typically recommend that you get routine blood work at least once a year, around the same time as your yearly physical.
But this is the bare minimum. There are several major reasons you may want to get blood tests more often than that:
A urinalysis is a test of your urine. A urinalysis is used to detect and manage a wide range of disorders,
such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease and diabetes.
A urinalysis involves checking the appearance, concentration and content of urine. Abnormal urinalysis results
may point to a disease or illness.
For example, a urinary tract infection can make urine look cloudy instead of clear. Increased levels of protein
in urine can be a sign of kidney disease. Unusual urinalysis results often require more testing to uncover the source
of the problem.
A urinalysis is a common test that's done for several reasons:
If your urine is being tested only for a urinalysis, you can eat and drink normally before the test. If you're having other tests
at the same time, you may need to fast for a certain amount of time before the test. Your doctor will give you specific instructions.
Many drugs, including nonprescription medications and supplements, can affect the results of a urinalysis. Before a urinalysis, tell your doctor about
any medications, vitamins or other supplements you're taking.
Depending on your situation, you may collect a urine sample at home or at your doctor's office. Your doctor will provide a container
for the urine sample. You may be asked to collect the sample first thing in the morning because at that time your urine is more concentrated,
and abnormal results may be more obvious.
To get the most accurate results, the sample may need to be collected midstream, using a clean-catch method. This method involves the following steps:
For a urinalysis, your urine sample is evaluated in three ways: visual exam, dipstick test and microscopic exam.
Preventive medicine is a medical specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS),
which focuses on the health of individuals and communities. The goal of preventive medicine is to promote health
and well-being and prevent disease, disability and death.
Preventive medicine specialists are licensed medical doctors (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (DO) who
possess expertise in a broad range of health care skills, including biostatistics, epidemiology, planning and
evaluation of health services, management of health care organizations, research, and the practice of prevention
in clinical settings. They apply their knowledge and skills in medicine, social, economic, and behavioral sciences
to improve the health and quality of life of individuals, families, communities and populations through disease
prevention and health promotion.
Preventive medicine has three sub-specialty areas: public health and general preventive medicine, occupational medicine, and aerospace medicine.
In a recent survey conducted with the Urgent Care Association, we found that patients were waiting an average
of 24 days for appointments with their primary care provider. In a world of instant gratification, consumers
demand more. They demand now. If you want to watch a movie, you download it in minutes or stream it instantly.
If you need groceries, you can pick up your phone and have them delivered to you within the hour. If you need
restaurant reservations, you find one with availability, book online, walk in minutes later and sit right down.
Healthcare shouldn’t be any different.
That’s why urgent care has been growing at a faster pace than any other healthcare service in the United States.
And it is why healthcare consumers search for “urgent care” more than 5x more than “primary care” or “family doctor,”
combined. These consumers are highly actionable, searching with high intent terms like “urgent care near me.”
They want same day access to quality healthcare providers when they are sick or injured - after hours, one weekends and
on holidays - without the cost and inconvenience of the emergency room.
Urgent care centers typically treat minor illnesses like the flu, sinus infections and strep throat, as well
as injuries like bone fractures and sprains, cuts, scrapes and burns, making these clinics ideal for diagnosing
and treating non-emergent healthcare needs. And at a growing rate urgent care clinics are offering preventative
care services including annual physicals and well visits, flu shots and other immunizations and vaccines,
taking on the role of primary care provider for the tens of millions of consumers that don’t have one.
For kids there we also specialize in pediatric urgent care centers, for patients between the ages of 1 and 18.
Urgent care centers, which are part of the walk-in clinic healthcare category, are a convenient resource for consumers needing treatment for minor illnesses and injuries. Services that you would normally receive at your primary care office are usually available at an urgent care including annual and school physicals, flu shots and immunizations, treatment for illnesses including colds, flu stomach pains, sinus and ear infections and more. You can also be seen for injuries such as burns, bites, sprains and breaks - things that you might first thing to go to the emergency room vs urgent care; but you’ll have a shorter wait and smaller bill at the urgent care. As for cost, without insurance, you should expect between $100-140 for your visit, plus the cost of any labs, tests or images. With insurance, urgent care will be similar to seeing a specialist with applicable co-pay.
Nearly all urgent care centers take commercial insurance and many (if not most) will take medicare. As such if you have insurance coverage, you can expect the financial experience to be similar to visiting a specialist where you have a co-pay, usually $35-50, due at the time of the visit. Any additional lab work, x-rays or other tests performed will be billed against your insurance first and any supplemental balance due will be invoiced to you after the fact. Without insurance, you’ll pay a visit fee between $100-140 at the time of your visit. This is typically 25-50% more than your primary care provider, but usually the convenience is well worth the additional cost. If you are interested in a telehealth or video visit, your cost could be as much as 50% less than an urgent care, you could be diagnosed and prescribed medication and you’ll never have to leave your home.
Wait times varies; if you have an appointment then your wait time will be based off of the scheduled date/time. If you are a walk-in, we schedule you based off of the charts for the day.
Our hours of operations is:
The annual well woman exam often makes women feel nervous or uncomfortable, especially if it’s your first one. If it’s time to schedule your first well woman exam, it can help to know exactly what to expect to help you feel prepared and at ease during your appointment.
It’s completely understandable to feel anxious before your first well woman exam, but it’s
important not to delay scheduling your appointment. You should schedule your first well woman
exam when you become sexually active or when you turn 21. You should also schedule an exam if
you experience any menstrual irregularities or pelvic pain.
A well woman exam is the only way to detect early stages of cervical cancer, and it’s the first line of
defense against diseases of the female reproductive system. That’s why it’s so important to be diligent
with scheduling your annual exam.
A well woman exam will start like any other doctor’s appointment. You will be asked to fill out
paperwork with questions about your family medical history, any medications you’re taking,
general demographic information, your menstrual cycle, whether or not you’re sexually active,
and if you’ve been pregnant before. A nurse will take your height, weight, and blood pressure
and may ask follow-up questions about your intake forms. They will then give you a dressing gown
and leave the room so you can change.
There are four parts of the well woman exam: the physical exam, breast exam, pelvic exam, and pap smear.
The physical exam is much like what your general practitioner would do during an annual physical, but it can be more convenient to get your physical done at the same time as your well woman exam. Your gynecologist will review your medical history and ask about any current issues. They will check your vital signs, heartbeat, lungs, head, neck, abdomen and reflexes. Sometimes they will ask for blood work or a urine sample.
Breast exams help detect early signs of breast cancer. During the breast exam, your gynecologist will look for lumps or irregularities in your breasts. They will also teach you how to perform a self-examination, which you should do once every month.
The dreaded pelvic exam helps detect early stages of cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, and any causes of inflammation. During the pelvic exam, your doctor will ask you to lie down with your feet elevated on leg rests. Your gynecologist will examine the outside of your vagina for redness, irritation, discharge, and any signs of other conditions. Then, they will examine the size and position of your ovaries, uterus, cervix, and vagina by inserting the fingers of one hand into the vagina while the other hand presses down on your abdomen from the outside. Women 21 and older should get a pelvic exam once per year. If you are under the age of 21, you should get a pelvic exam if you experience menstrual irregularities, vaginal discharge, or pelvic pain.
A pap smear helps to detect early forms of cervical cancer. Your gynecologist will insert a small brush or spatula to gently scrap a tissue sample from the cervix while the speculum is in place. A pap smear shouldn’t be painful, but you will likely feel a brief pinching sensation. If you are 21 or older, or are sexually active, you should have a pap smear test done every other year.
We know that many women feel anxious about their annual well woman exams, especially if it’s your first. At Walnut Hill OB/GYN, we try to make your first well woman exam comfortable and easy, so we can detect irregularities and concerns as early as possible. Contact us today at (+1) 561-477-2862 to schedule your annual well-woman exam.
Routine well-child visits are scheduled with that doctor. However, there may be times when a family requires advice or an acute
office visit and the primary doctor is unavailable. Because the doctors, nurses and office staff work as a team they can offer
assistance. The physicians frequently collaborate with each other and every patient's record is available to the other medical
staff members. They can easily review ongoing medical problems, prescription medications, lab results and previous consultations.
This site will give you a lot of information about our practice but don't hesitate to contact us by phone if you have unanswered questions.
A pediatrician is a medical doctor who treats children. They provide:
Pediatricians manage the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of children. This is in every stage of development, in good health or in illness.
Generally, pediatricians focus on babies, children, teens, and young adults from birth to about age 21 to:
Pediatricians advise on, diagnose, and treat many different diseases, including:
Pediatricians are concerned with more than physical health. They also are involved with the prevention, early detection, and management of other problems that affect children and teens. These include:
Ear piercing is something a lot of children want to have done. And sometimes parents want to have their child’s ears pierced when
they are infants. The reasons behind ear piercing in children can be cultural or cosmetic, but it is not medically necessary.
However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t something your pediatrician can take care of. If you’re thinking about getting your child’s
ear pierced, you should have it done in the pediatrician’s office.
There are risks associated with ear piercing for kids, with infection being the most common. Allergies are also sometimes an issue, and in rare cases, piercings can tear.
Also, in very young infants, the risks associated with infections are greater. If an infection develops in a piercing and presents with a fever, babies younger than three months may have to be admitted to the hospital, depending on protocols. For this reason, many pediatricians will not pierce a baby’s ears until later, usually around 4 months. At the very least, the baby should have received their first round of vaccinations before having their ears pierced.
While there are risks for ear piercing in kids, they can be minimized by having your pediatrician do it instead of having it
done at a retail jewelry store. Many pediatricians offer pediatric ear piercing as a regular service. Your insurance won’t
cover ear piercing, but the fee is usually minimal and will include the earrings and the piercing itself.
Here are some good reasons to have your child’s ears pierced by a pediatrician:
Also, your child may be more comfortable with a doctor or nurse practitioner they know than a stranger at a jewelry store. The more relaxed they are, the easier the process will be.
After your child’s ears are pierced, you should carefully follow the instructions your pediatrician gives you to care for the new piercings. The American Academy of Pediatricians has comprehensive guidelines on how to avoid infections after ear piercing, but here are the basics.