Services

Preventative Health Care

Preventive Health Care

Preventive health care is an aspect of family medicine that emphasizes lowering risk factors to help decrease the chances

of developing acute illness and chronic disease.

The benefits of preventive health care include:

Prevention of acute and chronic disease
Early detection and treatment of illness
Identification of risk factors
Protection of long-term health and wellness
Avoidance of lost school days and work days
Slowing the progression of chronic illness

How Can Preventive Health Care Help Me Avoid Disease?

Dr. Chavez creates a plan of care that considers your age, gender, health history, lifestyle, family history, lifestyle habits, and personal goals. He works closely with you to identify areas where your health is at risk and improve habits and practices that may impact your overall wellness.

By improving your risk factors, identifying signs of disease early, and offering customized treatment plans, your preventive health care plan can help you avoid complications of conditions such as:

Type 2 Diabetes
Heart disease
High Blood Pressure
High cholesterol
Cancer
Depression or Anxiety
Hormonal Imbalance
Thyroid Imbalance
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

What Does A Preventive Health Care Plan Entail?

Dr. Chavez tailors your customized preventive health care plan to fit your needs, and it may include:

Regular health screenings
Well-child exams
Women's health exams
Men's health exam
In-office annual testing
Weight loss and nutritional support
Mental health screening
Immunizations for adults and children
Blood pressure and cholesterol checks
School and sports physicals

Diabetes

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by excess blood sugar. To understand the condition, it helps to think about how your body converts food to energy.

Every time you eat your body converts much of that food into glucose, a form of sugar. Glucose travels through your blood to various organs and tissues, delivering the energy and nutrients where they’re needed.

In order for glucose to enter each cell, a hormone called insulin must be present. Diabetes occurs when your body does not manufacture sufficient insulin.

There are two main types of diabetes. People with Type 1 have an immune disorder that causes their immune system to attack the cells in the pancreas that create insulin. Type 2 diabetes is far more common. People with this form of diabetes either don’t manufacture enough insulin or can’t make proper use of the insulin that is produced.

Why Is Diabetes A Dangerous Medical Condition?

When your cells can’t accept glucose, that glucose becomes trapped in your bloodstream. That places a strain on organs throughout your body and can cause numerous health issues.

If you have diabetes, you’re at an elevated risk for:

Heart Disease
Stroke
Kidney Disease
Eye Health Problems
Foot Health Problems
Sexual Dysfunction
Nerve Damage
Cognitive Issues
Depression

How Can I Manage My Diabetes?

Dr. Chavez takes a holistic approach to manage diabetes. For many, insulin therapy is a necessary part of that process. Insulin is self-administered via daily injections or a special medical pump.

There are also oral medications that can help manage diabetes. Dr. Chavez teaches you how to monitor your blood glucose which allows you to track your progress and know when medication may be needed.

There are many lifestyle modifications that can help people with Type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar and avoid widespread health issues. Following a nutritious, healthy diet where you monitor your carbohydrate intake is an important tool for controlling your blood sugar.

Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is a big part of that process and an area where Dr. Chavez offers full support and medical management. Increasing your physical activity is also important.

Thyroid Imbalance

What Is The Thyroid?

Your thyroid is a gland that manufactures hormones that regulate your metabolism, which is the rate at which your body converts food and oxygen into energy. Your thyroid gland sits at the front of your throat, just below your Adam’s apple. It’s shaped like a butterfly and has two distinct lobes connected by a central isthmus.

Your thyroid uses iodine to manufacture hormones and is controlled by a feedback connection with your brain. The primary hormone your thyroid produces is known as T4 or thyroid hormone.

Common Thyroid Imbalances & Disorders

Anything that negatively impacts your pituitary gland, hypothalamus, or thyroid can lead to a serious thyroid disorder. Some of the potential problems include:

Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Thyroid nodules
Goiter
Thyroid cancer

Understanding the symptoms of thyroid issues can help you know when to seek treatment.

Hyperthyroidism vs. Hypothyroidism

Hyperthyroidism occurs when your body creates too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms include:

Fatigue
Tremor
Nervousness
Heat intolerance
Fast heart rate
Difficulty concentrating
Sweating

Because these symptoms can indicate so many health issues, seeking a diagnosis is critical to your health.

Hypothyroidism occurs when your body doesn’t create enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms include:

Fatigue
Muscle and joint ache
Depression
Constipation
Dry skin
Cognitive difficulties
Feeling cold all the time

How Are Thyroid Imbalances Treated?

Dr. Chavez begins with a full assessment of your thyroid function. All related hormones are measured to gain deeper insight into your thyroid health.

If there are signs of a thyroid imbalance, Dr. Chavez creates a customized treatment plan for your specific set of needs. While the conventional medicine approach is to treat thyroid imbalances with drug therapy, Dr. Chavez also focuses on enhancing overall health to restore optimal thyroid function.

Your treatment path might consist of a blend of medication, stress management, nutritional support, supplements, and dietary improvements. Taking steps to reduce widespread inflammation can also lead to a marked improvement in thyroid function.

Asthma & Allergies

What Are Asthma & Allergies?

Allergies are your body's response to a trigger that causes the immune system to overreact. Each person has unique triggers, called allergens, which are harmless substances the body falsely identifies as dangerous to you. Your system responds by releasing chemical messages throughout your body that cause allergy symptoms.

Asthma is a severe respiratory reaction to an allergy trigger. When exposed to an allergen, someone with this chronic condition experiences difficulty breathing when their airways swell and constrict. Asthma is common in children, who may or may not outgrow the condition as they get older.

What Are Common Triggers For Allergies & Asthma?

Common allergens that cause allergic reactions and asthma include:

Pet dander
Seasonal plant and tree pollen
Insect bites
Food, such as dairy or nuts
Dust mites
Mold
Smoking or second-hand smoke
Strong-smelling beauty or cleaning products

Other common asthma triggers include stress, strong emotions, extreme temperatures, airborne chemicals, and respiratory infections.

What Are The Symptoms Of Allergies & Asthma?

Symptoms of allergies can range from mild to life-threatening. Allergic reactions are unique to each person, but common symptoms include:

Itchy eyes or skin
Coughing or sneezing
Hives or skin rashes
Congestion or a runny nose
Swollen eyes, lips, or face
Vomiting and diarrhea

The sudden onset of asthma in response to a trigger is called an asthma attack. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing.

What Are The Treatments?

There is no cure for allergies or asthma, so treatment focuses primarily on identifying and avoiding allergy and asthma triggers. When that is not possible, treatment options focus on treating the symptoms of your allergic reaction.

Your personalized plan of care may include:

Allergy testing
Allergy shots
Oral antihistamine medications
Inhaler medications
Breathing treatments
Creams or topical medications

Dr. Chavez works closely with you to determine your allergy triggers and a treatment plan that effectively relieves your allergy symptoms. He also equips and empowers you to make lifestyle changes that decrease the frequency and severity of attacks.

COPD

What Is COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) refers to several chronic illnesses that affect the respiratory system and worsen over time. COPD affects the airways and lungs, making it difficult for you to breathe and get enough oxygen.

COPD includes conditions like Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis that work in different ways to inhibit your ability to bring in air and distribute oxygen to your tissues and organs. Over time, your body can't compensate for the perpetual lack of oxygen, and your symptoms get progressively worse.

If you have COPD, it’s essential that you have a trusted, long-term provider who works closely with you and monitors your health regularly. Dr. Chavez offers one-on-one personalized care to help you manage your COPD and slow the progression of the disease.

What Are The Symptoms?

COPD symptoms vary in presentation and severity depending on the specific disorder. In most cases, symptoms are mild and easy to ignore until the disease has progressed significantly.

Mild symptoms include frequent cold-like symptoms, occasional shortness of breath, or feeling like you need to clear your throat often. As your illness progresses, you may experience signs of low oxygen, including:

Chronic shortness of breath
Frequent respiratory infections
Chest heaviness or tightness
Fatigue or low energy
Coughing and wheezing
Numbness and tingling in extremities
Excessive mucus or drainage
Swelling in the extremities
Arrhythmias
Discolored fingers, toes, and lips

What Are The Treatments?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for COPD. It is a chronic, progressive illness, and your treatment plan changes over time as your symptoms evolve. Your customized plan of care focuses on treating the underlying causes of COPD flare-ups and relieving your symptoms as much as possible. Your customized treatment plan may include:

Smoking cessation support
Weight-loss support
Lifestyle changes
Oxygen therapy
Oral and inhaled steroids
Other medications
Breathing treatments

Obesity & Weight Loss

How Does Obesity Impact My Health?

Being obese or overweight can significantly impact your health and increase your risk for many severe health conditions. Obesity is an excess of body fat or a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. BMI is a measurement Dr. Chavez uses to determine a healthy range for weight based on your height and current weight. Obesity is a leading risk factor for conditions such as:

Type 2 diabetes
Heart disease
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Kidney disease
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
Stroke and blood clots
Nonhealing wounds

How Can Weight Loss Improve My Health?

Lowering your weight by 10% can reduce your risk factors and help benefit your overall state of health. Benefits of healthy weight loss include:

Lowered blood pressure
Decreased insulin resistance
Improved mood and self-confidence
Less strain on joints and bones
More effective oxygen usage
Less chronic pain
Better quality sleep
Improved immune response

What weight-loss plan can help me get to a healthier body size?

There is not one single weight-loss plan that works for every person. Dr. Chavez creates a personalized, holistic weight-loss program that fits your specific needs. Your program may include:

Customized eating plan
Personalized activity plan
One-on-one consultations
Nutritional education and support
Supplements and medications
Emotional and mental support
Regular weigh-ins

High Blood Pressure & High Cholesterol

What Are High Blood Pressure & High Cholesterol?

High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol are preventable conditions that can place you at higher-than-normal risk for heart disease and other serious health complications. Patients who have one of these conditions often have the other, increasing their chances even more.

High Blood Pressure refers to elevated pressure inside the blood vessels of the cardiovascular system. Long-term, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels, affect blood flow, and weaken the heart.

High Cholesterol refers to a high concentration of a fatty substance in the blood, which can contribute to narrowing and blockages, which hinders blood flow. While normal amounts of cholesterol are healthy and essential for the body, higher amounts of blood cholesterol can profoundly impact your risk factors.

What Are Possible Complications?

When high blood pressure and high cholesterol go untreated, you’re at higher risk for conditions such as:

Stroke
Heart Attack
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
Heart Failure
Kidney Disease
Nonhealing wounds
Blood Clots
Aneurysm
Varicose Veins

What Are The Treatments?

It's essential to your health that you work closely with Dr. Chavez to protect against these conditions and possible complications that could arise as a result. He develops a plan of care that fits your lifestyle and other factors unique to you. Your personalized treatment plan may include:

Lifestyle Changes
Smoking Cessation
Weight-Loss Support
Dietary changes and support
Medications
Exercise Program
Regular Screenings
Annual Physical Exams

Well-Child Exam

What Is A Well-Child Exam?

A well-child exam is a regular age-specific physical, developmental, mental, and emotional assessment for your child's health.

From your child's birth, a well-child exam allows Dr. Chavez the opportunity to:

Build trust with your child
Assess their growth and development
Evaluate their physical health
Update their immunizations
Assess their mental and emotional well-being
Offer education and relevant resources
Identify signs of disease or developmental issues
Offer support to you as a parent
Encourage healthy habits and lifestyle choices

A well-child exam is an integral part of quality preventive health care. Dr. Chavez uses a well-child exam to get a complete picture of your child's health and tailor their health care plan to fit their specific needs.

How Often Does My Child Need A Well-Child Checkup?

Dr. Chavez utilizes the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for well-child exams, including beginning newborn care within a week of birth. According to the AAP, you should schedule well-child visits:

Within a week of birth
One month old
Two months old
Four months old
Six months old
Every three months from six months to 18 months old
Every six months from 18 months to three years old
Every year from four years old to 21 years old