General Practice Services In Lawrenceville, GA

Sadly, tobacco use is the number one most common preventable cause of death. We have all heard that quitting smoking is important for your health for several different reasons. About 50% of smokers who do not quit smoking are going to end up dying of smoking-related problems. At RMD Primary Care, we know that it is very difficult to quit smoking. Our staff understands that patients are apprehensive about short-term side effects such as weight gain, anxiety and irritability. We have the training, knowledge and compassion to help our patients every step of the way in their journey of smoking cessation, and our Lawrenceville doctors have a wide variety of tools and support systems, medications and therapies that may be just what you need to finally kick the habit forever.

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD) which involves damage that has taken place to the air sacs, or alveoli, in the lungs. Because the air sacs in the lungs are damaged, the body cannot get enough oxygen. These patients may notice a chronic cough and trouble breathing during strenuous activity. The most common cause of emphysema is smoking. Emphysema cannot be cured. The goal of treatment is to slow the progression of the disease, relieve symptoms, and help prevent complications, and it is critical that the source of irritation be removed. This means that the patient must stop smoking. Commonly used medications include bronchodilators to relax the bronchial muscles so that the airways are widened, making it easier to breathe. Medications are available in inhaled, injected, and oral forms. Corticosteroids also can help relax the airways, but these types of drugs usually are not prescribed for long-term use because of their side effects.

While many people often associate arthritis with the elderly, there are many younger and middle-aged people who suffer from the condition as well. There are several different types of arthritis, most of which cause pain and swelling in the joints of the body. Unfortunately, over time, these swollen, painful joints can become severely damaged and even deformed. Most people with arthritis have trouble with pain, swelling and stiffness in the knees, fingers, the lower back, the shoulders and the elbows. Osteoarthritis is one type of arthritis that is often attributed to aging or to an injury. There are also some types of arthritis that involve the immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Management of the condition that begins as soon as possible yields the best results, so be sure to contact our Lawrenceville family practice right away to discuss your management and treatment options.

Mole removal is often performed when a benign, typical mole causes discomfort or irritation or an atypical mole presents itself. It is important for atypical moles to be removed because they are more likely to develop into melanoma, a type of deadly skin cancer. The cancer can spread from the surface of the skin down into the inner tissues, muscles, and blood. If you find a mole or growth that is irregular in shape, is different shades, has changed in outline or color, is asymmetrical or seems to have grown larger suddenly, make sure that you contact us as soon as possible for an evaluation appointment and to discuss possible mole biopsy or excision. We use state-of-the-art technology and the most up-to-date mole biopsy and excision procedures to ensure minimal discomfort to our patients.

Wounds that cover a large area of the body, appear to be very deep, or are causing rapid blood loss need quick medical attention. Serious lacerations and other wounds that remain untreated for too long may become infected, leading to even more serious systemic infections that can spread throughout the body. Our doctors are equipped with the very latest in laceration care technology, supplies and treatment procedures to ensure that our patients receive the best possible wound care. We know that taking care of wounds, lacerations and similar injuries is always uncomfortable, so we use the best equipment, the most comfortable bandages, sutures and gauze to ensure that you remain as pain-free and comfortable as possible throughout the entire procedure.

Diabetes is a disease in which the blood glucose, or blood sugar levels, are much higher than normal. This type of sugar is found in the foods we consume. Insulin is a hormone that is responsible for helping glucose break down into energy for our body cells to use. While some people find that they have no symptoms, other people struggle with it daily. The most common type of diabetes and the one most often treated at our clinic is Type II diabetes. While Type I diabetes is characterized by the body’s inability to make insulin, having Type II diabetes means that a person’s body does not make it and/or use insulin well. Our physicians are dedicated to educating patients about diabetes, how to prevent the disease and how to manage it to minimize the presence it has in their lives.

Almost half of all women and a fourth of all men are going to break a bone at some point after the age of 50 due to having osteoporosis. It is a condition that weakens the bones, leaving them more prone to breakage. There are bone density tests available that are excellent tools for measuring bone mass. If these tests reveal thinning or weakness of the bones, there are different medications and treatment options available. Unfortunately, many people have no idea that they suffer from osteoporosis until they fall and break a bone. Some of the risk factors associated with osteoporosis include having a smaller or thinner body frame, age, taking certain medications, being a white or Asian woman, having a family history of osteoporosis and having osteopenia, or low bone mass. Schedule a bone mineral density test to check the health of your bones.

It is common for people to feel anxious, worried, distressed and sad at some point. However, when the feelings are unrelenting and affect a person’s daily functioning, a mental illness may be the culprit. Our doctors are able to help patients get back on track with life, whether it is done through medication, therapy and counseling, referral to a mental health specialist or any combination of treatments. If you have been sad, depressed, anxious or had any other similar feelings for a long period of time, you need to ask yourself if your feelings are severe enough that they interfere with your everyday life. There are several mental disorders that can be addressed in our clinic, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, phobias and more. We maintain excellent professional relationships with many local mental health experts, allowing us to refer our patients to qualified, caring specialists if further testing, diagnosis and treatment is needed.