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Dr. Bradford Raison

Family Doctor

Penticton, BC

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Your family physician knows your health history best. He or she can recommend how often you should come in for a physical exam or wellness check, and how frequently you need medical testing or screening done. To get the most out of your appointment, make sure your family physician has up-to-date medical records.

How to Work with Your GP or family physician

Tell your doctor about any medications you take, including supplements. Make a list of questions to ask so that you don't forget anything important, and be totally honest with your family doctor about smoking, alcohol and drug use. Your healthcare provider needs an honest picture of your health to provide you with the best information for your situation.

The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM) sets and maintains standards for assessment and credentialing of physicians in Lifestyle Medicine. Certification as an ABLM diplomate signifies specialized knowledge in the practice of lifestyle medicine and distinguishes a physician as having achieved competency in lifestyle medicine

Annual Physical Exams & Screening

It used to be common for people to “save up” their questions and concerns for an annual checkup with a physician. Many patients today choose to visit a primary care physician when they’re sick or are at a higher risk for developing a disease. Similarly, many medical experts have moved away from the yearly physical exam, instead recommending periodic health evaluations as needed. That said, there are some annual tests that a patient may require. Some examples of medical tests people might get yearly are: Certaines formes de Trouvez des informations ou des preuves locales comme des médecins de famille locaux ou des médecins de famille à montréal et à québec

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Pap smear: A sample of cells is taken from a woman’s cervix to check for abnormalities that may indicate cervical cancer.
• STI testing: Screening for sexually-transmitted infections should be done at least once a year if you’re sexually active.
• Prescription drug follow-ups: You may need to check-in with your doctor to make sure your dosage is working for you and that you’re not experiencing side effects.
• A PSA test: A blood test to screen for prostate cancer in men (generally recommended for patients over a certain age).
• A mammogram: A diagnostic exam to screen for breast cancer in women (generally recommended for patients over a certain age).
• Blood pressure testing and cholesterol profile (generally recommended for patients over a certain age).
• Blood tests: May include a chemistry panel and complete blood count, fibrinogen, hemoglobin A1C, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and more.
• Testing related to a chronic condition such as diabetes (you may need to see your physician more frequently).

Everyone's situation is different, so it's important to work with your GP or local family physician for optimal health and wellness - whether you need help managing a chronic disease or have mental health concerns.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.

Talk to your family physician if you'd like more information on working with your GP.

Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider

Many medical experts have moved away from the yearly physical exam, instead recommending periodic health evaluations as needed.
Some examples of medical tests people might get yearly are a Pap smear, STI testing, prescription drug follow-ups, a PSA test, a mammogram, blood pressure testing and a cholesterol profile.
Often seeing a local physiotherapist is a common referral from a local family physician
If you have a chronic condition you may need to see your physician more frequently than once a year.
To get the most out of your appointment, make sure your family physician has up-to-date medical records. Tell your doctor about any medications you take, including supplements.
Make a list of questions to ask so that you don't forget anything important, and be totally honest with your family doctor about smoking, alcohol and drug use. Your healthcare provider needs a total, honest picture of your health to provide you with the best information for your situation.

Adherence:
Adhering to your medications, prescribed exercises or lifestyle changes (such as dietary changes, smoking cessation, reduced alcohol consumption, etc.) is essential to improving health outcomes successfully. Compliance to any prescribed treatment is the number one thing you can do to ensure positive changes and optimal treatment outcomes.

Often seeing a local physiotherapist in conjunction with your family physican is important to help deal with muscular and skeltal problems. We know that obesity is as much a disease as schizophrenia or depression or high blood pressure and telling someone who carries extra weight to eat less and move more is like telling a schizophrenic to just ignore the voices.

Antibiotics are not effective against the common cold because it is usually caused by a viral infection, not bacteria. Colds are generally self-limiting, and the symptoms can be managed with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter remedies for symptom relief.

To reduce the risk of catching the flu, getting an influenza vaccination every year is indeed recommended. The flu vaccine helps protect against the most common strains of the influenza virus and can significantly lower the chances of getting infected or experiencing severe symptoms if you do get the flu.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by the relaxation and narrowing of the throat muscles during sleep, leading to partial or complete blockage of the airway. Snoring is a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. This condition can cause interrupted breathing during sleep, resulting in poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue.

On the other hand, central sleep apnea is less common and occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles responsible for controlling breathing during sleep. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, the airway is not physically blocked in central sleep apnea. It can be caused by various factors, including certain medical conditions or the use of certain medications.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea or any sleep-related issues, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional

Useful Resources

Canada

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

College of Family Physicians of Canada

Newfoundland and Labrador