What do you think of when you think of your family doctor?
Do you see the best family doctor as a way to prevent the onset of certain diseases or a place to turn when you’re feeling sick? The fact of the matter remains that the best primary care physicians should do all that and more. Americans today are facing more severe chronic pain, rates of addiction and long-term illnesses than ever, meaning the function of your family doctor should be able to rise up to the challenge. This means something as simple as medicine for cough and cold and something as complex as alcoholism treatment.
Here are just a few of the resources you should expect when visiting your family doctor.
Hormone Deficiency
This may be one of the most surprising ones on the list. Hormone deficiency can be difficult to spot, and seem incredibly subtle, but it has the ability to impact just about everything you do. Nearly 14 million men today are living with low testosterone, with over 90% of this population receiving no treatment. Boosting your testosterone with TRT is able to increase your energy levels, improve your appetite and may even help you lose weight. Signs you have a hormone deficiency include difficulty sleeping, unusual mood swings and stubborn acne.
Alcoholism
One of the most common issues affecting American adults today is that of alcoholism. Exacerbated by poor mental health and potentially encouraged by genetics, alcoholism can go untreated for years. Those most vulnerable to drinking problems are young adults between the ages of 18 and 29, with the 65 and older population being the least susceptible. One study found nearly 55% of respondents reporting one or more of their close relatives had a drinking problem. Alcoholism doesn’t always take on the form of binge drinking. It can include never turning down a drink, drinking several times per week or feeling ‘incomplete’ without a drink.
Anxiety Disorder
Mental health is just as important as physical health. In fact, it’s not possible to entirely separate the two. Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness in the United States, affecting over 40 million adults over the age of 18. That’s as much as 20% of the American population. Common signs of anxiety include irritability, nervousness, obsessive routines, racing thoughts and panic attacks. Severe anxiety can make it hard to sleep, leave the house or go to work. Related illnesses include obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety.
Depression
The only other form of mental illness more common than anxiety is depression. It’s also possible to have both. Depression is well-known for being a virulent disease that affects an individual’s ability to function in day-to-day life. It can cause you to sleep far too little or far too much, lose interest in your hobbies and increase your risk of suicide. Meeting with a mental health professional is the most important step in mitigating the symptoms of severe mental illness and encouraging a higher quality of life. Medication, regular therapy and a support system are all proven to make depression much more manageable.
Heart Disease
The leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease. Multiple sources have been attributed to this, including chronic stress, genetics and poor lifestyle habits. Heart disease can lead to heart attack, that of which sees millions of cases in emergency rooms every single year. Today two-thirds of adults in the United States are obese, with some of the most common side-effects of obesity including heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Your family doctor can either provide you a screening or refer you to a center that can help determine your risk of heart disease.
Whether it’s a detox process or emotional support animal for depression, there’s an option available to help you live better.
