Family Medicine
At Westchester Health, our Family Medicine division consists of board trained and certified physicians who specialize in providing a broad range of medical care to patients of all ages. Our family medicine physicians offer continuing and comprehensive care for an individual or his/her extended family. They focus on getting to know their patients and their families by forming valuable patient-doctor relationships that last for years, even decades, providing guidance on disease prevention as well as caring for multiple acute and chronic health problems.
Our family medicine specialists have extensive experience in their field, using the latest technology and techniques to diagnose, treat and provide preventative care for all types of illnesses, injuries and medical conditions, including asthma, arthritis, allergies, cuts and bruises, depression, diabetes, earaches, obesity, high blood pressure, viruses and more.
Prevention as well as treatment
At Westchester Health, our focus is not only on the evaluation and treatment of acute health problems but on preventative care as well.
In addition to providing the highest quality of care, our family medicine physicians work closely with other specialists who are part of your healthcare team to coordinate and implement a total treatment plan that is customized to your specific needs to achieve the best possible outcome. We also focus on educating you and your family about lifestyle changes you can make to control, improve or even eradicate your particular condition.
Well-skilled in a variety of treatments
A Family Medicine doctor provides expert advice and medical proficiency across a broad range of health issues, including but not limited to medication, the removal of foreign bodies, administering vaccinations, treating wounds and soft tissue injuries, performing routine well-visit checkups, and referring patients to appropriate specialists when needed.
What makes Westchester Health’s Family Medicine Department different?
At Westchester Health, we firmly believe that good treatment starts with good listening. We also believe that the best patient is an informed patient, and that patient education is paramount to your long-term health.
From the first time you arrive at our offices, we are committed to spending time with you and your family to insure that you understand your injury, illness or medical condition, the diagnostic tests we are recommending, and your treatment options. Throughout your encounters and visits with us, we will continue to explain our recommended course of treatment and answer any questions you may have.
Whether you have been with Westchester Health for years or are new to our practice, you will recognize that our Family Medicine group cares about each and every one of our patients. When you need us, we are here for you.
Always at the forefront of medicine
The world of medicine continues to change and evolve. As part of Northwell Health, our family medicine practitioners participate in continuing medical education through the Division of Family Medicine training programs, making sure they are continually up-to-date on the current and newest treatments suited for our patients’ healthcare needs. This emphasis on ongoing training also ensures that our family medicine physicians have ready access to the latest technological advances in all aspects of family medical care.
Family medicine doctors are experts at treating a variety of conditions, including:
Arthritis
Arthritis refers to joint pain or joint disease and is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, affecting women more than men and commonly occurring as people get older. Typical symptoms include swelling in the joints, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities and difficulty walking or climbing stairs. Medications, physical therapy and sometimes surgery help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways to become inflamed, making it hard to breathe and causing coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and/or chest tightness. For many asthma sufferers, their symptoms are brought on by triggers such as dust mites, animal dander, mold, pollen, smoke, bronchial infections and physical activity. Asthma also affects millions of children (childhood asthma). The best way to manage asthma is to avoid triggers, take medication to prevent symptoms, and know how to treat an asthmatic episode (asthma attack) if it occurs.
Diabetes
The most common endocrine disorder, diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are too high. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in your blood. With type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin at all. With type 2 diabetes (the more common type), your body does not make or use insulin well. Over time, diabetes can cause serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, blindness, pregnancy complications and kidney failure. Diabetes can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender or lifestyle. There is no cure, but a variety of medications and lifestyle changes can help manage diabetic symptoms and improve your overall health.
High cholesterol
Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) in your blood. If you have too much cholesterol, it can build up in your arteries and lead to dangerous blood clots and inflammation that can cause heart attacks and strokes. To lower high cholesterol, physicians will usually recommend losing weight, eating heart-healthy foods, quitting smoking and daily exercise. Oral medications, when warranted, are also a treatment option.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is the most common cardiovascular disease, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and death. Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. A reading of 140/90 or higher signals high blood pressure. You can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms. You can control high blood pressure through healthy lifestyle habits such as exercise, a healthy diet, quitting smoking and taking medicines, if needed.
Immunizations
Immunizations (vaccinations) prevent many life-threatening diseases and are essential to maintaining public health around the world. Vaccines trigger the immune system to respond to the foreign agent and thus build immunity. Vaccine-preventable diseases include measles, mumps, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, diphtheria and rubella.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis (sinus infection) occurs when the mucous membranes (linings of the sinuses) become inflamed. There are two types of sinusitis: acute and chronic. Acute sinusitis refers to a temporary inflammation of the sinuses lasting less than four weeks. Chronic sinusitis is diagnosed when symptoms have gone on for more than 12 weeks or occur more than three times in one year, despite medical treatment. The treatment of sinusitis depends on the cause, severity and duration of symptoms.
Smoking cessation
If you smoke, one of the most important things you can do for your health is to stop smoking. It has been shown to be a contributing factor in heart disease, stroke, cancer, emphysema and blood clots. There are many over-the-counter and prescription medicines that can help you quit. Also, every state has a QuitLine (800-QUIT-NOW) along with local smoking cessation resources.
Weight control counseling
Since overweight and obesity typically coexist with type 2 diabetes, weight management counseling is an integral part of our family practice physicians’ responsibilities. The key to of treatment for overweight and obesity revolves around lifestyle intervention, which involves counseling patients on specific ways they can change their diet, increase their physical activity and alter their relationship with food.