Annual physicals important as you grow older

A comprehensive physical exam

The older you get, the more you need to keep track of your health on a yearly basis. An annual physical can spot the early warning signs of dangerous medical conditions before they cost you money or your life.

An annual physicals should cover every aspect of your health, starting with your blood pressure, pulse, breathing and temperature. The doctor will listen for any signs of trouble in your heartbeat and breathing, and will go over your medical history. If you have noticed any symptoms, this is the time to bring them up. There may be an eye, ear, nose and throat exam, and the doctor may also check your teeth and gums along with your skin, abdomen, joints and extremities. Your reflexes, balance and mental state might also be tested. For men, there may be a genital examination or hernia tests. For women, there may be a breast or pelvic exam. The doctor may order lab tests, including a blood sugar test to assess the risk of diabetes.

Getting an annual physical in Germantown, MD

The best place to get an annual physicals in the Germantown area is Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer. When visiting for the first time, bring your insurance card and a picture ID. The clinic accepts Aetna including the Medicare Advantage HMO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Beech Street, Cigna, Coventry, Healthgram, Human Choicecare, Medcost, Medicare and Railroad Medicare and United Healthcare. If you do not have any of these, contact them to find out if your insurance is accepted. Call today.

You should have a sports physical every year

Sports physicals required in Germantown

If you want to go into sports next year, or if you are already looking forward to your next season, the first thing you should do is get a sports physical exam. This is required in Maryland for anyone beginning a new sport or a new season, and should be done about six weeks before the season begins.

The physical will include looking at your strength, flexibility, joints and posture during the sports physical. The doctor will perform a vision test and check your ears, nose, throat and abdomen, and will also take your pulse and blood pressure and record your weight and height.

The doctor will also examine your medical history. Either you or your parents or guardians should fill out a form, discussing medications you take, injuries you have suffered, medical problems you have had, times you spent in the hospital, allergies, chronic illnesses or any medical problems your family has a history of. The doctor will be trying to get a sense of the health of your whole family.

Getting a sports physical

The best place for a sports physical exam in the Germantown area is Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown for more than twenty years, with a staff that hails from many different parts of the world. Dr. Manbir Takhar, the Chief Medical Officer, was recently named one of the TOP doctors of 2015. You will not need to do this for future visits. Schedule an appointment today.

Pre-college physical exams an important health step

The pre-college physical exam

If your son or daughter is planning to go to a new college at the start of the year, you should know that he or she may be required to take a pre-college physical exam first. Even if your son or daughter is not required to do so, you should still encourage him or her to do so. Looking after their own health on a day-to-day basis is an important step in achieving independence for your children. If your family has a regular doctor, send him or her there. If not, you should try a primary care facility.

A pre-college physical exam looks at medical history and current health. Be sure to bring records of all immunizations he or she has received. If he or she had all childhood vaccinations, he or she may still need booster shots and the annual flu shot. You may also wish to persuade them to get a meningitis shot.

Bring the medical history of your child, so the doctor can read through it. The doctor will discuss the particular health issues of your son or daughter, including how to stay healthy on campus and what dangers to avoid. Your child should pack a personal medical kit with pain relievers, bandages, cold and hot packs, cough medicine, wound cream, a thermometer and whatever medicine they normally take. Let them know if they are still covered by your insurance.

Where to get one in Germantown

The best place to get a pre-college physical exam in the Germantown area is Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer. Get your son or daughter to make an appointment today.

Vaccinations safe, important

The facts on vaccination

Vaccination is a controversial subject. Here are some basic facts:

• All vaccines are extensively tested to be sure they are safe and effective. Most routine childhood vaccines are effective for 85% to 95% of of those who receive them.

• The stimulation of the immune system of an infant during the vaccination schedule is much less than it receives from being exposed to household bacteria over the same period.

• When you get a flu shot, you do so not just for your own sake, but that of everyone around you. Recently, an infant in Stanislaus County, California who was too young to be vaccinated died soon after contracting influenza. Pregnant women especially should get the vaccine.

Vaccines you may need booster shots for include MMR and DTap. These will ensure that you cannot contract these diseases or spread them to others. Varicella, or chickenpox, is another recommended booster shot. If you plan on traveling abroad, some countries require you to be vaccinated against yellow fever and meningitis. Hepatitis A and typhoid shots are also recommended. Check the website of the CDC for a list of recommended vaccinations.

Best place to get a vaccination in Germantown, MD

All these vaccinations can be had at Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. The Chief Medical Officer is Dr. Manbir Takhar. Bring your insurance card, a valid photo ID, a list of any medications you are taking and any other medical information you might want to have. Make an appointment today.

Finding the right primary care provider

What a primary care provider provides

We all need a primary care provider. This is someone who can provide basic medical care and help you manage minor health problems before they become life-threatening illnesses. The person who does this might not need to be a doctor — he or she could also be a physician assistant or nurse practitioner— but he or she has to be able to respond quickly.

A good primary care provider should offer basic wellness exams, urgent medical care and vaccinations, including those you need in order to travel. The provider should be able to diagnose and treat long-term health problems. Medical tests your provider should be able to perform are the ECHO, EKG and stress tests, pulmonary function tests, breast exams, Pap smears and prostate exams. Your provider should also be able to help with family planning, including pregnancy tests.

Best primary care provider in Germantown, MD

The best primary care provider in the Germantown area is Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer. Their clinical laboratory exceeds Occupational Health and Safety Act standards.

When going there for the first time, bring your insurance card, a picture ID, a list of medications you take, the dosage of these medications and other relevant information. Download a copy of the registration form from their Web site for your first visit. This will speed up the process of checking in. You will not need to do this for later visits. Make an appointment today.

Why you need a primary care physician

What primary care physicians do

A primary care physician should be like a member of your extended family — not seen every day, but trusted absolutely and reassuring when seen. A primary care physician deals with common illnesses and injuries, and if a specialist is needed, he or she coordinates patient care. A primary care physician also keeps track of the health of patients over the course of their lives, spotting the early signs of heart disease or diabetes.

A primary care physician should work at a facility that offers the widest possible range of services. These services include wellness exams, tests for heart and lung health, vaccinations, treatment for strains, sprains and broken bones, treatment for burns and puncture wounds, annual physicals, x-ray services, medical evaulations that can diagnose anything from allergic reactions to Lyme disease, breast exams and prostate exams. Look for a primary care facility that has its own clinical lab. This will save you a lot of time if you ever need lab work done.

The best primary care in Germantown, MD

Germantown Primary Care Associates serves patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer. Bring your insurance card, a picture ID, a list of medications you take along with the dosage and any other information that might be useful. Downloading a copy of the registration form from their Web site will speed up the process of checking in for your first visit. You will not need to do this for the next visit. Call today.

Finding the right place to get an annual physical

Why you should have an annual physical

Annual physicals are an key part of safeguarding your health. Your doctor can spot the early warning signs of dangerous health conditions. If you are still fairly young, do not drink or smoke, exercise a lot and have no medical issues that you know about, you may not need one, but they are a good idea for everybody else.

An annual physical should cover every aspect of your health. Your doctor will check out your blood pressure, pulse, breathing and temperature, and will listen for any signs of trouble in your heartbeat and breathing, such as arrhythmia. The doctor will also look at your medical history for the past year, including diet, exercise and habits. Be sure to bring up any symptoms you have seen or felt.

Primary care facility in Germantown, MD

The best place to get an annual physical in Germantown is Germantown Primary CareAssociates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer. When visiting for the first time, be sure to bring your insurance card and a picture ID. You should also bring a list of whatever medications you take along with the dosage, any recent test results you may have gotten from other physicians, and whatever other information you think may be useful.

Download a copy of the registration form from their Web site for your first visit to check in faster. You will not need to do this for later visits. Schedule an annual physical exam today.