“The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.”—Martin Luther King, Jr.


We all want to live a long, healthy life. However, if we do not have our health, how are we fully able to enjoy each and every day?


Our medical professionals at UAB Medical West want you to live as long a life as possible by putting as much healthy life into your years. One way to do so is through the assistance of a family medicine physician. 


Why Should You Have a Family Physician?


A family medicine physician can benefit your health in more ways than just one. While a family physician is able to complete your annual health exam (i.e., blood work, vitals, hearing, vision, etc.), he or she also plays an important part in managing your day-to-day health.


For instance, if you have been diagnosed with a chronic medical condition like diabetes or arthritis, your family medicine physician can assist in managing your condition so that you can add more quality days to your years! In addition, your family physician can be helpful when you fall ill due to the flu or suffer an injury like a sprained ankle.


Yet, perhaps the most beneficial part of having a family medicine physician on your health care team is that he or she is really able to get to know you, which can be helpful overall in the health care provided to you. Not only does your family medicine physician know you family history, he or she is also able to learn more about your personal history and that can play a vital role in various diagnosis and treatment plans down the road. 


What might not be a red flag to an urgent care physician who sees you here and there might cause concern for your family medicine physician. Therefore, you might be diagnosed and treated for a medical condition earlier than with other physicians, which can help to add quality of life to your years!


What Can a Family Physician Do for Stress?


We all experience stress from time to time. However, if your stress starts to affect your quality of life, it is important to talk to your family physician about it, as he or she can assess your health and help treat your symptoms as best as possible to help you regain your quality of life.


For instance, if your stress is causing insomnia, your family physician might prescribe a mild sleeping pill. Yet, if you are experiencing symptoms of depression and/or anxiety because of stress, your family physician might recommend an antidepressant. 


The treatment plan for stress is different for everyone. Therefore, it is best to seek help for your symptoms so that you can obtain the best possible treatment plan for you and your stress.


What Can a Family Physician Do for Anger Management?


Certain situations, as well as family history, can cause some people to experience anger management issues. According to a recent study in the Washington Post, about one in 10 people living in the United States suffer from severe anger issues. However, help is available!


While a family physician can assist with the treatment of anger management through medication (like mood stabilizers), he or she can also give recommendations on appropriate therapists and anger management programs that can assist a person, as well, with anger issues. 


What Can a Family Physician Do for Weight Loss?


Because a family medicine physician sees you at least once a year for your annual wellness exam, he or she is better able to track your weight loss and weight gain year after year. As a result, your family physician can help you should your scale start moving in the wrong direction.


A new MDVIP survey suggests that more than 80-percent of people living in the United States are currently overweight. With the help of a family medicine physician, you can be tested to make sure your weight gain is not due to another medical issue, such as a thyroid problem or polycystic ovarian syndrome. 


Also, because your family physician knows your family history, he or she can better recommend certain diets to aid in weight loss. For instance, if you have a family history of heart disease, your family physician might suggest a low-sodium diet for weight loss. Therefore, you are not only being treated for weight loss, your family physician is also helping you to lower your risk of other diseases, which can greatly improve your quality of life! 


Are you in need of a family medicine physician? The medical team at UAB Medical West in Bessemer, AL, is here to help. 


Call our physician referral line at 205-996-WEST to schedule an appointment with a UAB Medical West provider. We are here to serve the communities of Hoover, Bessemer, McCalla, and Vance and more!