Manage Your Chronic Condition with Primary Care

From annual wellness exams to various injuries and illnesses, primary care is usually your first line of defense. If you need more advanced care, you probably expect to be referred to a specialist. But at Alpha Care Medical, you can expect comprehensive care for your chronic conditions right here in one place.

That’s because our team of experienced physicians and medical professionals practice functional medicine, a field that focuses on the root causes of illnesses rather than merely the symptoms. Here’s how it works.

You’re part of our team

At Alpha Care Medical in Seaford, Millsboro, Harrington, and Dover, Delaware, we believe you’re an important member of the health care team. We encourage your participation in the process and welcome your input, because no one knows you and your body like you do.

We start with a deep dive into your personal and family medical history, because they can provide important clues about your current condition. We also look at the things you eat, drink, and do on a daily basis to get an idea of what lifestyle factors may be contributing to your medical issues.

By participating in these investigatory steps, you maintain control of your own health and gain an understanding of what’s going on with your body. This is the main difference between our primary care approach and other more traditional methods that often mask symptoms with medication.

Which chronic conditions can be managed by primary care?

Chronic medical conditions are those that limit your activities or functionality for at least a year and require ongoing care. The list is long, but the most common chronic conditions are also the most fatal, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. If you have a serious heart condition or cancer, we can refer you to highly qualified specialists who are experts in those fields and can give you advanced care.

But, if you have one of the many other types of chronic conditions, you can count on us to not only help you manage your pain and symptoms but also identify the underlying causes so we can work toward alleviating it completely if possible. These conditions include:

• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Depression and anxiety
• Asthma
• Obesity
• Eating disorders
• Osteoporosis
• Substance abuse

These are just a few of the many chronic conditions we treat here at Alpha Care Medical. If you have medical issues and aren’t sure where to turn, start with us and rest assured that we’ll treat you comprehensively here or make sure you find the right specialist.

Is primary care enough for my chronic condition?

Traditional primary care can actually be termed “sick care” rather than health care. The focus has historically been on medicating and masking symptoms. As the most frequent point of access to the health care system, it’s where most patients start. However, many find the experience to be impersonal, too brief, and often inconclusive. 

In many cases, primary care facilities have shifted to a model that puts nurse practitioners and physician assistants on the front line to free up doctors’ schedules. But this increases the potential for misdiagnosis. 

Here at Alpha Care Medical, we take you and your health seriously. We use a multidisciplinary approach and view your illness and your treatment from several angles. Depending on your unique needs, we may offer:

• Nutritional counseling and supplements
• Prescription medications
• Customized exercise programs
• Behavioral therapy

The treatments we provide will take into account every aspect of your health — mental, physical, environmental, and emotional. 

If you have a chronic condition and want to find a team of medical professionals you can build a relationship with, we invite you to come explore the benefits of primary care and functional medicine here at Alpha Care Medical. To learn more, book an appointment over the phone today.