FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
This page answers common patient questions about chronic disease prevention, everyday symptoms, and recommended health screenings. It’s intended for general education and does not replace personalized medical advice — always talk with your care team about your specific health needs. If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
Heart Health and Blood Pressure
The top number, systolic pressure, is the pressure when your heart contracts. The bottom number, diastolic pressure, is the pressure between beats. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg; elevated is 120–129 and below 80; stage 1 hypertension is 130–139 or 80–89; and stage 2 is 140 or higher or 90 or higher.
Adults should be screened for high blood pressure. Annual screening is reasonable beginning at age 40 or earlier for people at increased risk; adults ages 18–39 with prior normal readings and no increased risk may be screened every three to five years.
Use a validated upper-arm monitor with the correct cuff size. Avoid smoking, caffeine, alcohol, and exercise for 30 minutes beforehand; empty your bladder, rest quietly for five minutes, sit with your back supported and feet flat, and keep your arm at heart level. Take two readings one minute apart and record both.
Helpful measures include a DASH-style eating plan, less sodium, regular activity, losing excess weight, limiting alcohol, and stopping tobacco. These measures may reduce medication needs, but do not stop prescribed medicine without discussing it with your clinician.
If your reading is above 180 and/or 120, wait at least one minute and check again. If it remains that high, contact a healthcare professional promptly; call 911 if you also have chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, numbness, back pain, vision changes, or difficulty speaking.
LDL is commonly called “bad” cholesterol because high levels contribute to artery disease. HDL is called “good” cholesterol because higher levels are generally associated with lower cardiovascular risk. Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood; high triglycerides combined with high LDL or low HDL can increase heart-attack and stroke risk.
Most healthy adults should be checked every four to six years. Testing is usually more frequent for people with diabetes, heart or vascular disease, a family history of high cholesterol, or an abnormal previous result.
The decision depends on more than one cholesterol number. For many adults ages 40–75 without known cardiovascular disease, clinicians consider diabetes, blood pressure, smoking, cholesterol, age, and estimated 10-year cardiovascular risk; the USPSTF recommends treatment at a risk of 10% or greater when at least one major risk factor is present and selective treatment at 7.5% to under 10%.
Symptoms can include pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the chest; discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach; shortness of breath; sweating; nausea; or lightheadedness. Women may be more likely to report back or jaw discomfort, upset stomach, or unusual fatigue. Call 911 immediately rather than waiting for symptoms to pass.
Palpitations may feel like fluttering, racing, pounding, or skipped beats. Arrange an appointment for new, recurrent, or worsening episodes; seek emergency care when palpitations occur with chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, marked weakness, or other heart-attack symptoms.
Diabetes and Blood Sugar
In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells, so daily insulin is required. In type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin effectively and may not make enough. Prediabetes means blood sugar is above normal but not yet in the diabetes range.
A1C estimates your average blood sugar over roughly the previous two to three months. Below 5.7% is considered normal, 5.7%–6.4% is in the prediabetes range, and 6.5% or higher is in the diabetes range; an abnormal diagnostic result may need confirmation.
The USPSTF recommends screening adults ages 35–70 who have overweight or obesity. Earlier or additional testing may be appropriate with symptoms, a strong family history, previous gestational diabetes, certain higher-risk backgrounds, or other metabolic risk factors.
Blood sugar can sometimes return to the normal range, although continued healthy habits are needed to keep risk low. In the Diabetes Prevention Program, losing approximately 5%–7% of starting weight and getting at least 150 minutes of activity per week reduced progression to type 2 diabetes by 58%.
Symptoms can include increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, fatigue, blurry vision, unexplained weight loss, tingling or numbness, and sores that heal slowly. Type 2 diabetes can develop gradually, so screening may detect it before symptoms are obvious.
A reading below 70 mg/dL is generally considered low. If you are awake and able to swallow, take 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate, wait 15 minutes, and recheck; repeat if still low. Severe confusion, seizure, or unconsciousness requires glucagon if available and emergency help—do not give food or drink to an unconscious person.
For many non-pregnant adults with diabetes, a goal below 7% is common. The right target is individualized based on age, duration of diabetes, other health conditions, medication effects, and risk of low blood sugar.
It depends on your medication, insulin use, risk of hypoglycemia, and whether the results will change your treatment. Not everyone with type 2 diabetes needs daily finger-stick testing; a continuous glucose monitor may be helpful for people using insulin or needing more detailed information.
Diabetes care commonly includes A1C testing, blood-pressure and cholesterol management, kidney blood and urine tests, dilated eye examinations, foot checks, and dental care. The timing depends on your results, diabetes type, treatment, and complications.
Some people—particularly early in the condition—may reach their goals through nutrition, activity, and weight management, but many eventually need medication. Lifestyle remains important even when medication is used. Never stop diabetes medicine without medical guidance, and remember that type 1 diabetes always requires insulin.
Nutrition, activity, weight, and sleep
A DASH-style pattern emphasizes vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, nuts, low-fat dairy, fish, and lean proteins. It limits sodium, saturated and trans fats, sweets, sugary drinks, and highly processed foods. The plan can be adapted to cultural preferences, allergies, medical conditions, and budget.
Aim for 150–300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week, or the equivalent amount of vigorous activity, plus muscle-strengthening exercise on at least two days. People who are inactive can begin with short sessions and gradually increase.
Yes. For someone with overweight or obesity, losing approximately 5%–10% of starting weight can improve blood sugar, blood pressure, triglycerides, mobility, and other health measures. Even smaller changes can be a useful beginning.
BMI is a screening calculation based on height and weight, not a complete diagnosis of health or body composition. It should be considered alongside medical history, physical examination, blood pressure, laboratory results, fitness, and other individual factors.
Adults ages 18–60 generally need at least seven hours per night. The usual recommendation is seven to nine hours for ages 61–64 and seven to eight hours for adults 65 and older, although individual needs vary.
Warning signs include loud habitual snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, gasping or choking during sleep, morning headaches, unrefreshing sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Evaluation is especially important if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, or safety problems from sleepiness.
Evidence is not strong enough to recommend a multivitamin solely to prevent cardiovascular disease or cancer in otherwise healthy adults, and high-dose supplements can cause harm or interact with medication. One clear exception is folic acid: people planning or able to become pregnant are generally advised to take 400–800 micrograms daily.
There is no single amount that fits everyone. Reference total-water intakes are approximately 2.7 liters per day for women and 3.7 liters for men, but those figures include water from food and all beverages; heat, exercise, pregnancy, illness, and kidney or heart conditions can substantially change your needs.
Less alcohol is better for health, and people who do not drink should not start for a supposed health benefit. U.S. guidance defines moderation as no more than one drink a day for women or two for men, but some people should avoid alcohol entirely, including during pregnancy, with certain medications or illnesses, or when drinking cannot be controlled.
For cigarette smoking, behavioral counseling combined with an FDA-approved cessation medication generally provides the strongest chance of quitting. Vaping aerosol can contain nicotine, cancer-causing chemicals, metals, and particles that reach deep into the lungs, so discuss all nicotine use—not just cigarettes—with your primary-care clinician.
Respiratory symptoms and common infections
Their symptoms overlap, and influenza and COVID-19 cannot always be distinguished by symptoms alone. Influenza often starts more abruptly and feels more intense than a cold, but testing may be needed—particularly when someone is at higher risk and early antiviral treatment is being considered.
Many viral coughs and cases of acute bronchitis improve within about three weeks. Seek prompt care for breathing difficulty, chest pain, coughing up blood, dehydration, significant or persistent fever, worsening symptoms, or a cough lasting longer than three weeks.
Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. They do not treat colds, influenza, most sore throats, or most cases of acute bronchitis, and unnecessary use can cause side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Asthma can cause recurring cough, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, often varying over time or with triggers. Diagnosis usually combines your symptom history with breathing tests such as spirometry; symptoms alone cannot confirm it.
Call 911 for sudden or severe breathing difficulty, inability to speak normally because of breathlessness, blue or gray lips, confusion, fainting, chest pressure, or symptoms that occur at rest and are rapidly worsening. Do not wait for a routine appointment in these situations
Allergies commonly cause sneezing, an itchy or watery nose, clear drainage, and itchy or watery eyes. Fever, chills, and prominent body aches are more suggestive of infection, although overlap occurs. Nasal steroid sprays are generally the most effective medicine for allergic rhinitis; some older antihistamines can cause significant drowsiness.
Most sore throats are viral, while strep throat is diagnosed with a test and usually treated with antibiotics when positive. Seek urgent care for trouble breathing, inability to swallow fluids, confusion, dehydration, a severe headache with stiff neck, or rapidly worsening illness.
Typical symptoms include burning with urination, frequent or urgent urination, lower abdominal discomfort, and cloudy, bloody, or strong-smelling urine. Fever, chills, pain in the back or side, nausea, or vomiting can indicate a kidney infection and require prompt medical evaluation.
Digestive health, pain, and mental health
Make an appointment if heartburn is frequent, persistent, or interfering with sleep or eating. Seek prompt evaluation for difficulty or pain with swallowing, persistent vomiting, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood, or black stools. New chest pressure—especially with sweating, breathlessness, or arm or jaw discomfort—should be treated as a possible heart attack.
Gradually increase fiber, drink appropriate fluids, stay active, and allow regular unhurried time for bowel movements. Adults commonly need approximately 22–34 grams of fiber daily. Contact a clinician if constipation persists or occurs with bleeding, severe pain, vomiting, fever, or unexplained weight loss.
Hemorrhoids and small anal tears are common causes, but unexplained rectal bleeding should still be discussed with a clinician. Black, tarry stool or a large amount of red blood—particularly with dizziness, fainting, weakness, shortness of breath, or rapid heartbeat—can indicate significant gastrointestinal bleeding and requires emergency care.
Call 911 for a sudden “worst-ever” headache or a headache with weakness, numbness, speech or vision changes, confusion, loss of consciousness, or difficulty walking. Prompt evaluation is also needed for headache with high fever and stiff neck, after a major head injury, or for a new or changing headache after age 50.
Most uncomplicated back pain improves, and prolonged bed rest can slow recovery. Urgent warning signs include major trauma, new leg weakness, difficulty walking, or loss of bowel or bladder control. A hot, red, swollen joint—especially with fever—needs same-day evaluation for possible joint infection.
Talk with a primary-care or mental-health professional when symptoms are severe, last approximately two weeks or longer, or interfere with sleep, work, relationships, appetite, concentration, or usual activities. Effective treatment may include psychotherapy, medication, or both. For suicidal thoughts or a mental-health crisis, call or text 988; call 911 when there is immediate danger.
Vaccines and preventive screening
Recommendations depend on age, health conditions, pregnancy, occupation, travel, and previous doses. Common examples include annual influenza vaccination; Tdap followed by Td or Tdap boosters, generally every 10 years; shingles vaccination beginning at age 50; and pneumococcal vaccination for eligible adults beginning at age 50. COVID-19, RSV, HPV, hepatitis, and other vaccines follow current age- and risk-based guidance, so review your record at primary-care visits.
For women at average risk, the USPSTF recommends a mammogram every two years from ages 40 through 74. People with previous breast cancer, certain genetic variants, high-risk lesions, or high-dose chest radiation may need a different plan; evidence for routine screening after age 74 remains insufficient.
For average-risk people with a cervix, current final USPSTF guidance recommends a Pap test every three years from ages 21–29. From ages 30–65, options are a Pap test every three years, high-risk HPV testing every five years, or Pap-plus-HPV co-testing every five years. Previous high-grade abnormalities, immune suppression, or certain surgical histories require an individualized schedule.
Average-risk adults should generally be screened from ages 45–75. Options include stool-based tests, colonoscopy, and certain other examinations; the best choice is one you can complete at the recommended interval. Screening from ages 76–85 is individualized according to health, prior screening, and preferences.
Annual low-dose CT lung screening is recommended for adults ages 50–80 with at least a 20 pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years. For prostate cancer, PSA screening is an individual decision for many men ages 55–69 after discussing possible benefits and harms; routine PSA screening is not recommended beginning at age 70.
Bone-density screening is recommended for women 65 and older and for younger postmenopausal women at increased fracture risk. The USPSTF also recommends HIV screening from ages 15–65—with testing outside that range when risk is increased—hepatitis C screening from ages 18–79, and depression screening for adults. Your clinician should adjust the plan for pregnancy, symptoms, family history, previous results, and personal risk.
Examination new patient: $90
Examination established visit: $50
Plus (not all inclusive):
- Illnesses & infections- $50–$150
- Injuries & pain $50–$150
- Back pain evaluation $50-$150
- Bug bites & stings $50-$150
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) evaluation $50–$150
- Minor burns $50-$150
- Minor cuts, blisters & wounds $50–$150
- Pelvic pain evaluation $50- $150
- Skin abscess treatment $150–$250
- Splinter removal $50–$150
- Sprains, strains & joint pain $50–$150
- Suture & staple removal $50–$150
- Swollen veins & leg pain treatment $50–$150
- Testicular pain evaluation $50–$150
- Tick bites $50-$150
- Skin, hair & nails $50-$150
- Acne $50–$150
- Athlete’s foot $50–$150
- Chicken pox $50–$150
- Cold, canker & mouth sores $50-$150
- Hair loss $50–$150
- Impetigo $50-$150
- Lice $50 $150
- Minor psoriasis $50–$150
- Nail infection treatment $50–$150
- Poison ivy & poison oak $50-$150
- Rash, skin irritation & dermatitis $50-$150
- Ringworm $50–$150
- Rosacea $50–$150
- Scabies $50–$150
- Shingles $50–$150
- Skin tag removal $99
- Sunburn $50–$150
- Swimmer’s itch $50–$150
- Wart evaluation $50–$150
- Tests, screenings & physical $50–$150
- Annual wellness exam $90
- General medical exams(excludes annual physicals)$90
- Camp physicals $90
- COVID-19 antibody testing and treatment $90
- Sports physicals $50
- Ear wax removal $50 (1side)-$100 (both ears)
- Epinephrine injection pen refills $90
- Food sensitivity/nutritional consult $90
- Hepatitis B screening $90
- Hepatitis C test screenings $90
- Start to Stop smoking cessation program $50–$150
- Smoking cessation assessment $90
- Smoking cessation follow-up $50 each visit
- TB testing include TB test placement (first visit)$90
- TB test reading $50
- Annual TB risk assessment $90
- Titers & immunity testing $90–$150
- Weight loss assessment $90
- Weight loss follow-up & coaching $50 each visit
- Chronic conditions $50–$150
- Arthritis evaluation $50–$150
- Asthma monitoring and treatment $50–$150
- Cholesterol screenings and treatment $50–$150
- CHF monitoring and treatment $50–$150
- COPD monitoring and treatment $50–$150
- Diabetes screenings and treatment (glucose)$50–$150
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy $50–$150
- Fatigue evaluation $50–$150
- High blood pressure monitoring and treatment $50–$150
- High cholesterol monitoring and treatment $50–$150
- Hyperthyroidism,
- Hypothyroidism $50–$150
- Osteoporosis $50–$150
- Parathyroid disorder screening $50–$150
- Post-stroke or post-TIA care $50–$150
- Vaccinations & injections:
Birth control, (oral meds only) $90 - Flu vaccine $50
- Pneumonia:Pneumovax®23 $130,Prevnar 13® $190
- Post vaccination side effects $50–$150
- Shingles Vaccine $150
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) $90
- Vitamin B12 injections $25
- Kenalog injections 80mg IM $50
- Ketorolac injections 60mg IM $50
- Testosterone 200mg IM $150 (must meet criteria)
- Testosterone IM injection only $50
Travel health:
- Motion sickness $90
- Traveler’s diarrhea $50–$150
Men’s & women’s services:
- Chlamydia & other STI treatment $50–$150
- Irregular periods evaluation $50–$150
- Menopause treatment $50–$150
- PMDD (premenstrual dysmorphic disorder)$50–$150
- PMS (premenstrual syndrome) $50–$150
- Pregnancy evaluation $50–$150
- Urinary tract & bladder infections $$50–$150
- Yeast infections $50–$150
Pain Procedures:
- Trigger Point injections >3 muscle groups $150
- Shoulder/knee joint steroid injection $100-$175
- Greater trochanteric bursa steroid injection $100-$175
- Olecranon bursa aspiration or steroid injection $100-$175
- Knee Viscosupplementation$100-$175
- Botox injections for headaches (please inquire)
- PRP joint injection (please inquire)
- Craniosacral massage therapy (please inquire)
- Yoga/meditation/deep breathing therapy (please inquire)
- Aroma/oil/adrenal gland/raindrop therapy (please inquire)
- Scoliosis (schroth method) (please inquire)