When to see a doctor if you are having trouble breathing

If you are having trouble breathing, when to see a doctor

If the shortness of breath is accompanied by fainting, chest pain or nausea, seek medical attention right away since these may be signs of a pulmonary embolism or a heart attack.  If you need medical care right away, you can walk into Medical Access Urgent Care in Georgetown MD.  If you believe you can wait to see a primary care doctor, call Germantown Primary Care Associates for an appointment with a doctor.

When to try self-care

If you are suffering from shortness of breath without the symptoms above, you can try and improve your breathing on your own.  Stopping smoking and losing weight can help.  Also, try and limit exposure to pollutants.  For guidance and advice on self-care when you are experiencing shortness of breath, it is important to know when to see a doctor at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown MD. They are the recognized experts for treating these and any other symptoms in Montgomery County.

Shortness of breath causes

Lung or heart conditions are typical reasons for shortness of breath.   Our lungs and hearts are integral to transporting oxygen to our tissues and for removing carbon dioxide from our systems.  If you have issues with either of these processes, it can affect your breathing.

Follow these tips if you are having trouble breathing and contact Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown MD for an appointment with a doctor.  Knowing when to see adoctor is important if you suffer from shortness of breath and these doctors are the best in Montgomery County.

How to get ready for Department of Transportation physicals

Preparing for Department of Transportation physicals

There are times when passing the DOT physical can be a major hurdle.  Passing Department of Transportation physicals is necessary to getting a commercial driver’s license and most of the time, having that type of license is necessary to keeping their job.  If you need a DOT physical and live in the Germantown MD or Montgomery County area, the physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates provide DOT testing seven days a week and have extended hours.

Two weeks before

It is important for the driver to ensure they have all the required paperwork. Gather any documents or reports which might be helpful during the exam.  For example, if diabetic, they should bring a copy of their hemoglobin A1C or blood-sugar testing. If a driver has any special or unusual medical conditions, they should also bring a copy of their medical records for the doctor to review.  This includes conditions such as a heart murmur or diabetes. If a driver has questions about what documentation is needed, they should call the DOT physicals office. 

One week before the DOT

Write down all prescription medications, including dosage and strength.  List any over-the-counter medications taken regularly.  Drivers can call Germantown Primary Care Associates, Germantown MD’s best medical clinic to schedule DOT physicals.  They provide the quickest, most convenient DOT physicals in Montgomery County.

On the day

Drivers arriving for DOT physicals should bring all their documentation and medical records, including their list of medications.  They should not drink any caffeine beverages or smoke before their DOT physicals either.  Following these tips can help ensure a driver gets a clean bill of health during DOT physicals. 

What to expect during sports physicals

What to expect during sports physicals

Playing a sport is not only great fun, but is also a wonderful way for your child to stay healthy.  If your child plays any type of team sport in their school or even in a recreational league, they will probably be required to get a sports physical.  Germantown Primary Care Associates does all types of sports physicals right in their clinic in Germantown MD.  They are one of the main providers of sports physicals in Montgomery County.

The sports physical

Sports physicals are generally comprised of two parts.  The first is the medical history and the second is the physical examination.  The doctor or their medical staff will ask you and your child about your child’s medical history and will also ask questions about injuries or illnesses your child has experienced.

The physical exam itself

During the physical examination, the doctor will do several things.  These include checking weight and height, taking blood pressure and examining their heart and lungs.  The doctor will also check their abdomen and look into their ears and eyes.  They will also check their strength and flexibility.

Where to go for sports physicals

In Montgomery County and Germantown MD, Germantown Primary Care Associates is a one-stop shop for all the requirements of sports physicals.  They can do sports physicals for both school and recreational sports and provide the results right away.  You can either bring the sports physical form from your league or school or they will provide one for you.  Give them a call today for all your sports physicals. 

Find treatment for all your clinical health needs at Germantown Primary Care Associates

Germantown Primary Care Associates: integrated clinical health all in one place

Germantown Primary Care Associates and their medical staff are truly a one-stop shop for all your clinical health needs.  Whether you need a vaccination or a full chest x-ray in Germantown MD or anywhere in Montgomery County, you can get it at our clinic.  We are the primary care clinic that goes above and beyond to provide you the clinical health services that will help keep you healthy.

The best in integrated care

Germantown Primary Care Associates provides the entire spectrum of integrated care.  We are co-located with Medical Access Urgent care and also have a sleep lab and physical therapy division.  This means we can diagnose, treat, and provide follow-on therapy for almost any medical condition.  

Germantown MD and Montgomery County’s best clinical health care provider

Germantown Primary Care Associates is recognized as one of the best clinical health and primary care providers in the region.  You may call us, email us or make an appointment directly through our website.  Our courteous and professional staff will work with you to ensure you receive the very best health care treatment possible. 

When you need primary care or clinical health services in Germantown MD, call Germantown Primary Care Associates, the best medical care provider in Montgomery County.  Dr. Manbir Takhar, our Medical Director and her medical staff will ensure you receive the very best care and treatment possible.   Germantown Primary Care Associates is dedicated to providing top quality clinical health care in a convenient and compassionate setting. 

Work injury treatment often increases with warmer weather

Germantown Primary Care Associates provides the best in work injury treatment

If you are a business owner, you understand how important it is to get quick, reliable treatment for all work injuries.  It is also important to the health of your employees that they receive the right work injury treatment so they can return to their normal activities and to work as soon as possible.  The physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown MD are among the best in Montgomery County, in fact within the entire Washington DC Metro area at providing excellent work injury treatment. 

Evaluating and treating employees

Germantown Primary Care Associates not only offers work injury treatment, but can also perform other testing to determine if there were any contributing causes to the work accident.  These include drug and alcohol screenings, as well as vision, hearing and x-rays.  They have all of these diagnostic testing services located in one place, so your employee does not need to make several trips to get complete work injury evaluation and treatment.  

Developing an employee wellness program

Germantown Primary Care Associates, along with Medical Access Occupational Health Services can help you analyze your occupational health issues and develop a comprehensive plan to keep your employees in good health and on the job.  Germantown Primary Care Associates can help your Montgomery County business develop a plan for keeping your employees healthy and safe.  The physicians at Germantown Primary Care in Germantown MD provide the best work injury treatment in Montgomery County, so give them a call to talk about your employee wellness programs. 

Help identify allergies with diagnostic testing

Diagnostic testing helps identify allergies

For many spring brings runny noses and sneezing. The physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates can perform diagnostic testing to determine which allergens are impacting you and the best treatment.  They are one of the best medical clinics in Montgomery County, providing quality care to all of their patients. 

Molds

Following winter, molds begin.  Mold counts typically peak in summer and into fall. 

Tree pollen

The earliest pollen triggers are from budding trees which begin to pollinate anywhere from February all the way through May.

Surviving allergy season

The first thing to do is to get allergy diagnostic testing at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown MD to determine exactly which allergens affect you. 

Talk with your physician

Discuss allergy diagnostic testing with your physician or health care provider.  They can then prescribe allergy medications. 

Keep your windows and doors closed

Mold and pollen spores come in through the screens and find their way into your body, causing itchy and water eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. 

Time outdoor activities

Do not take part in activities outside in the morning.  Pollen and mold counts tend to be higher early in the day.

Take medication

Taking antihistamines can help, especially if you need to do yard work or be outside for an extended period of time. 

The medical staff at Germantown Primary Care in Germantown MD can prescribe medication to help you get through the Montgomery County allergy season. To determine exactly what you are allergic to, ask them about allergy diagnostic testing.  

Important vaccinations before you travel

Travel vaccinations you need before you go

Travel vaccinations help you stay healthy by protecting you against life-threatening diseases.  It is a good idea to start early since there may be several types of vaccinations required depending upon where you are traveling.   Some vaccinations require 2 to 3 doses which must be spaced out over several months.  You can schedule an appointment at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown MD to get everything you need before you travel.  There are three types of travel vaccinations: required, routine, and recommended. 

Required vaccinations for travel

Some countries require meningitis and yellow fever vaccinations before you will be able to cross their borders.     When you enter a country requiring one of these vaccinations, you must be able to show proof of recent vaccinations. 

Routine vaccinations for travel

Routine immunizations and vaccinations start at birth and then are updated as necessary throughout your lifetime.  When you attend your travel medicine appointment, bring your immunization record with you.  Our physicians can then determine if you need any booster vaccinations.   Routine vaccinations include polio, TDAP, Varicella, MMR, Rotavirus, Pneumonia, Hepatitis B, Meningitis and Hepatitis A. 

Recommended vaccinations for travel

Depending upon your destination, your age, health status and the details of your travel itinerary, there may be other vaccinations, including rabies, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, typhoid and polio that your Germantown Primary Care Associates travel physician will recommend. 

Get prepared

In Germantown MD, the physicians and medical staff at Germantown Primary Care Associates can provide advice and guidance on all travel vaccinations.  When you are ready to travel internationally, call Germantown Primary Care Associates for a travel medicine appointment and make sure you have all the necessary travel vaccinations.

We provide the best occupational health services in the area

How our occupational health services can help your company

Germantown Primary Care and Medical Access Urgent Care located in Germantown MD provide the best, most comprehensive occupational health services in Montgomery County.  With every physician on our medical staff certified as Medical Examiners by the State of Maryland, we can perform every occupational health service your or your employees might need.  We are certified to perform Department of Transportation Examinations, as well as breath-alcohol testing and both Federal and non-Federal drug screening.  

We are a full-service urgent care and primary care practice

Germantown Primary Care Associates and Medical Access Urgent Care are located within the same state-of-the-art facility in Germantown MD.  There is also a sleep center and a physical therapy center located within the same facility, providing a one-stop shop for any occupational health services you may require within Montgomery County.

The great thing about sending your employees to Medical Access Urgent Care and Germantown Primary Care Associates for all occupational health services is that our physicians are trained in providing all occupational health services and are experts in workmen’s compensation.   

We also have a wellness program

One of the best investments you can make in your business is to keep your employees healthy so they are at the top of their productivity.  Germantown Primary Care Associates and Medical Access Urgent Care provide a complete wellness program that is designed to do just that. 

When you need occupational health services anywhere in Montgomery County, look to the physicians and medical staff at Germantown Primary Care Associates and Medical Access Urgent Care.