Chronic Conditions

Which chronic medical problems do we care for at Austin Family Medicine Associates?

At Austin Family Medicine Associates, we care for nearly all chronic medical problems. A list of common chronic conditions is listed at the bottom of this page. For each patient, we develop a specific treatment plan for that individual patient. This specific treatment plan varies according to their goals and desires. It is important to us that we customize a treatment plan that works for you and your body. For example, many patients prefer to make dietary changes or take supplements in order to limit their prescription medications. If you need assistance with dietary changes, we have a dietician in the office who can help you treat your medical problems with nutritional balance and vitamin supplementation.

How is the treatment at Austin Family Medicine Associates different from other offices?

We take a holistic approach to our treatment plans, meaning we do not solely rely on pharmaceuticals. We take a multi-faceted approach to treating chronic disease. Our customized approach to each individual patient involves a detailed analysis of vitamin levels, genetic testing, hormone levels, and nutritional status in order to balance all areas for optimal health.

Our Goals:

— Nutritional Balance
— Early and Intensive Medication Initiation
— Hormone Balance
— Vitamin Supplementation

What can I do before my visit with my family doctor?

Before you come to the office, you can do several things to save time and improve efficiency at our office. The list below contains a few tips that you can use:

— Save yourself a return trip for blood work by coming to the office fasting. Do not eat anything after midnight the night before, do not eat or drink anything except water or black coffee, and continue to take your medicine (except insulin).
— Bring all of your medications, supplements, and inhalers
— Bring a copy of any recent blood tests, X-Rays, or other tests
— Bring your blood sugar meter, blood sugar log, or blood pressure log

What can I do to reduce complications of my chronic medical problems?

— Routine, frequent follow-up is one of the most important ways to reduce complications. If you have multiple chronic diseases, you should be seeing your healthcare provider every 3 months. If you have more than 3-5 chronic diseases, you should consider being seen once per month until all of your problems are under excellent control.
— As always, you should take your medication as prescribed. However, if there is a particular medicine that you do not like because of side effect, size, or dosing frequency – mention it to us, and we can find an alternative that will work for you.
— Find a meal plan that works for you and is as close to the dietary recommendations from your doctor.
— Exercise regularly. Start slow and build up to a more vigorous routine.

What can I do to reduce the cost of my chronic medical problems?

Patients with chronic conditions know that healthcare costs can get expensive, so we at Austin Family Medicine Associates try to limit your out-of-pocket costs in multiple ways.

— We draw your blood in the office and utilize the lab that your insurance company prefers.
— We always provide same-day appointments in order to prevent extra bills from Emergency Departments and Urgent Care centers.
— We manage your illnesses aggressively, so you can avoid frequent hospital bills.
— We care for you to the extent of our abilities before referring you to a specialist, so you do not have high co-pays at specialists’ offices.
— We offer the newest medications with the best side effect profiles, but if medication costs are a concern, we can adjust your medication profile to be more affordable.

Common Chronic Medical Problems Treated at Austin Family Medicine Associates

— Diabetes and Elevated Blood Sugar
— High blood pressure (or hypertension)
— Cholesterol and blood lipid issues
— Thyroid disease (Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, and Hashimoto Thyroiditis)
— Reflux, Heartburn, GERD
— Allergies and Sinus Issues
— Migraines, Tension Headaches, and Cluster Headaches
— COPD, Shortness of Breath, and Emphysema
— Heart Disease, Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease, Follow-Up after Heart Attacks
— Asthma
— Irritable Bowel Syndrome
— Arthritis
— Eczema, Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis
— ADD, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
— Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder
— Atrial fibrillation / flutter

If you have a chronic medical problem that is not on the list, we can let you know at your appointment whether we feel comfortable managing it. If we cannot help, we will find the right specialist for you.