Chronic Illness
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a problem that affects the arteries in your body. Blood pressure is the ratio of how much blood your heart pumps to the resistance of blood flow. When a person has high blood pressure, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body because there is more resistance in the arteries. A normal blood pressure has a systolic measure of 120 and a diastolic measure of 80. High blood pressure levels start at 140 over 90.
Symptoms
Usually, there are not many symptoms of high blood pressure, which is why it is known as a silent killer. Some people may feel shortness of breath with minimal exertion or have frequent headaches. However, these symptoms usually occur whenever high blood pressure has reached a very high and life-threatening level.
Causes
There is no one identifiable cause of high blood pressure in adults. Typical risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Being overweight and sedentary
- Consuming too much salt and alcohol
- Stress
- Getting older
- Genetics
If you have a family history of hypertension, then you will be much more likely to develop it yourself. Certain disease and their treatments can cause high blood pressure, including kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and sleep apnea.
Treatment
Changing your lifestyle by eating healthier and exercising is the best way to treat high blood pressure. Your Provider may also prescribe certain medications to help lower your levels.
High Cholesterol
Everyone needs some cholesterol in their body. However, when individuals have an excessive amount of cholesterol this leads to cardiovascular disease. Considering that heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the US, it’s imperative to control cholesterol. Through cholesterol management patients can reduce their chance of dying from cardiovascular disease or a heart attack.
Treatment
As a Provider focused on Primary Care, such a physician is dedicated to aiding the internal organs, such as the heart and vascular system. Too much of the bad cholesterol blocks arteries and weakens the heart’s ability to work successfully. Your Provider can diagnose, treat and monitor patients who are struggling with high cholesterol. They are prepared to promote lifestyle changes, prescription medications if needed, and proper knowledge regarding cholesterol issues.
Every person is unique in their struggles with cholesterol management. Some patients have high cholesterol due to their heredity while other patients are struggling to manage cholesterol because of lifestyle factors. For patients who have a family history of high cholesterol, often medications are the primary focus. However, lifestyle modifications are considered a healthier option. After all, exercise and healthy eating have several benefits beyond cholesterol management. Provider begin by examining the individual and taking an overview of their health and medical history. If possible, lifestyle changes are made, such as increased exercise or dietary alterations, so to lower cholesterol. If these changes do not benefit the patient, then prescription medications, such as statin drugs, are used to control cholesterol in the body. Finding a Provider who is committed to the holistic approach of lifestyle changes, as well as the possibility of medication, is key for most patients interested in managing cholesterol.
Diabetes
The term diabetes refers to the body’s inability to process glucose in the bloodstream. Once referred to as “Juvenile Diabetes”, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where a healthy immune system inexplicably attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Eventually, the cells will die completely, and the person is left reliant on insulin injections or infusions for the rest of their life.
Once referred to as “Adult Onset Diabetes”, Type 2 Diabetics still produce insulin, but either the body does not produce enough to counteract the amount of glucose in the blood, or the body is resistant to the insulin it produces. While diet and exercise can greatly affect whether a person is diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, there is no way for Type 1 diabetes to be prevented or cured.
Symptoms
Type 2 diabetics may never have symptoms before they are diagnosed. However, common symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include:
- Excessive thirst,
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Extreme hunger
- Unintended weight loss
If you or your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact Yavapai Family Medical for a consultation immediately.
Treatment
Treatment largely depends on the type of diabetes diagnosed. Maintaining a healthy diet and active lifestyle is important for all diabetics and many diabetics of both types will require insulin injections or infusions to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Type 1 diabetics will be required to monitor their blood sugar levels several times throughout the day, while Type 2 will check theirs once or twice daily. However, advances in medicine have allowed Type 2 diabetics access to non-insulin medications that help their bodies become less resistant to the insulin they produce where Type 1 diabetics are reliant on insulin injections for life.
Treatment
Location
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7750 East Florentine Road, Ste A
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
Contact Us
- (928) 277-1211
- (833) 747-1291
- yfm@yavmedical.com
Clinic Hours
Mon – Fri: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed Daily for Lunch: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Sat-Sun: Closed
