We know your family's health is of the utmost importance in your life. Whether you are a first-time parent or have teenagers, it's important that everyone in your family is given the proper medical care they need. That doesn’t just mean visiting when someone is sick - that also means regular "wellness visits".

It's important to prevent infections and other medical issues before they become major issues, rather than waiting until a health problem surfaces. By visiting your family physician for regular preventive check-ups, you and your loved ones can be one step ahead of health problems.

So what exactly does preventive care mean? After all, when we think about family physicians, we often picture them diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries.

Preventive family medicine focuses on maintaining health and protecting against disease, disability or death by educating the patient and making sure they come in for routine visits. Remember-you don't have to be sick to benefit from seeing your family doctor.

Here are just some of the preventive practices that children, teens and adults can adopt to protect their health for the long term:

Your family physician will inform you about ways to reduce your risk of certain health complications by changing your lifestyle. This may mean changing your diet, quitting tobacco, exercising more or losing weight. Diabetes and heart disease are leading causes of death in the United States, and one of the best ways to prevent these conditions from affecting your family is to come in for routine exams and physicals.

During these visits, we can also identify certain problems or risk factors. Your doctor may recommend ways to reduce your chance of developing issues like high blood pressure or high cholesterol in the future. By taking a proactive approach to your health, you can learn how best to avoid preventable illnesses.

At some point in our lives we will all experience a health problem, whether it's the common cold or the pesky flu. While some will go away on their own, there are health issues that require urgent medical attention, and it's important to know when to seek proper treatment.

An acute disease appears suddenly and lasts for a short amount of time. This is different from chronic diseases, which develop gradually and remain for months on end. Some examples include the influenza virus and the common cold.

Through a physical examination and identifying your symptoms, your doctor can provide a diagnosis and individualized treatment plan to care for your acute illness.

Many acute diseases can be self-limiting and may go away on their own, or can be treated with a simple course of antibiotics or other prescription medications. There are some acute diseases, however, that come on suddenly and produce life-threatening symptoms.

These more serious acute diseases require urgent medical care. If you suspect you may have a severe acute illness, it's important that you call 911 or go to your local emergency room. By seeking treatment for your acute illness as soon as possible, you lessen the chance for further complications or other long-term health issues.

According to the Center of Disease Control, chronic diseases cause 7 out of 10 deaths each year and are responsible for 86 percent of America's health care costs.

As of 2012, about half of all American adults had at least one chronic health problem. About one in four adults had two or more chronic diseases.

Unfortunately, these conditions can also cause other long-term complications, including kidney failure, disability and limb amputation. Your doctor, however, can often help prevent these diseases altogether, or find the best ways to treat your condition and manage your symptoms. Through routine medical visits, we can pinpoint issues while they are manageable - sometimes even when still reversible.

So, what causes chronic diseases in the first place? While there are many factors, one of the main issues is unhealthy behaviors such as:

By changing these habits, you can greatly decrease your chances of developing some of these chronic illnesses.

It can be a challenge to know exactly what constitutes a healthy diet or what exercise plan is right for you. Your doctor can discuss foods you should eat, as well as foods you should avoid. They can also recommend exercise regimes that are right for your needs and abilities. This will help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your risk of chronic diseases. They can even help you find programs that will aid you in quitting bad habits, like smoking and heavy drinking.

Turn to your doctor to have your chronic disease diagnosed and treated, and you can see your quality of life drastically improve. Don't hesitate - if you think you may be suffering the symptoms of a chronic disease, schedule an appointment today.

Women's health is a field covering the numerous health concerns that women face, from reproductive and sexual health to mammograms. Women are more likely to develop chronic health issues such as migraines, arthritis, or depression. From teen girls to adult women, your family physician is here to provide your family with medical services and screenings.

Some of the preventive services we offer include:

It's important that you find a family physician that understands your health and can tailor treatments to fit your needs, health, and lifestyle. This is particularly important for teen girls and young women experiencing major changes to their bodies and health as they mature. At this stage in life, it's important that they have a family physician to turn to that is able to provide them with the health information, education, and sensitive care they need. Whether it's a first gynecological exam or a physical examination before starting the school year, our medical team is here to offer the women in your family a variety of essential services.

As women age, various health concerns begin to arise, and regular check-ups become all the more important. This typically means more medical screenings to check for breast cancer, depression, diabetes, and other long-term or serious conditions. In many cases, diagnosing these conditions early can be the key to a full life.

Your health is important, and you know your body! If you are experiencing any changes or have any concerns, don't hesitate to turn to us for care.

Mental health disorders are common and can affect anyone, no matter their age. It’s believed that as many as 54 million Americans suffer from a mental disorder every year. It can be difficult for families to accept that a loved one has a mental illness. If you or someone you know is currently experiencing symptoms of a mental disorder, know that there are many resources available to help.

No doubt you’ve heard a lot about mental illness, but how much do you really know about it? A mental illness is a disorder that affects the thoughts and behaviors of an individual and can make it difficult to cope with day-to-day life. There are currently over 200 different types of mental illness. Some produce more mild symptoms, while others can be more severe and debilitating.

Common forms of mental illness include:

You may start to notice personality or mood changes in someone you love. They may also change their habits or seclude themselves from social interactions.

Mental illness can be caused by severe stressors, including death, divorce or job loss. It may also be caused by a genetic component, chemical imbalance, or a combination of all of these. Fortunately, with proper treatment, those with a mental illness can often learn to cope with their disorder and lead a healthy life.

It can be challenging to determine whether someone you love is dealing with mental illness, particularly in young children and teens. Here are some of the most common symptoms.

Mental illness affects everyone, not just the individual. Families can find the support and care they need through both family and individual counseling.

Not only is your family doctor likely to be the first medical professional who identifies that an individual is experiencing the symptoms of a mental illness, but they may also be able to provide referrals, help you build a treatment plan, or even have a mental health professional on staff. Never hesitate to bring up any unusual symptoms you or a loved one are experiencing with your primary care physician - even if those symptoms are mental, not physical!