Primary Care

Why Is it Important to Have a Primary Care Practitioner?

As your primary care practitioner, Dr. Gruhlkey monitors your overall health to protect and maintain your health and well-being throughout your life. The PCP tracks changes in a patient’s health and makes appropriate suggestions and referrals depending on the issue or condition facing that patient. A trusted and long-term relationship with your primary care provider enables your doctor to notice any changes in your health, which could indicate an illness and provide treatment in the earliest possible stages. Additionally, PCPs provide a wide variety of services including providing regular health screenings, treating some regular illnesses or injuries, and helping to identify any underlying issues before referring a patient to a specialist.

What Services Are Included in Primary Care?

Dr. Gruhlkey provides primary care to patients of all ages. Services include:

• Annual Well Child Check, including routine immunizations and school/sports physicals.
• Adult Physical Exam and preventative medicine including screenings for hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, cervical cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, etc.
• GYN Physical Exams including breast exams, pap, and family planning/birth control.
• Evaluation and treatment of various acute illnesses and symptoms including: sore throats, ear pain, shortness of breath, bronchitis, pneumonia, allergies, allergic reactions, asthma, emphysema, chest pain, acid reflux, abdominal pain, diarrhea, urinary tract infection, pelvic pain, rashes, itching, acne, rosacea, joint pain, back pain, sports injuries, anxiety and depression, headaches, dizziness, etc.
• Evaluation and treatment of various chronic medical conditions and symptoms including: sleep apnea, fatigue,  weight gain, hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, emphysema, asthma, high cholesterol, reflux, chronic lower back pain, erectile dysfunction, irregular periods, family planning/birth control, thyroid diseases, anemia, migraine headaches, weakness, numbness, etc.

Why is it Important to Have Regular Appointments With a Primary Care Provider?

Routine annual check-ups with a primary care doctor like Dr. Gruhlkey are crucial to monitor any changes in your health. When you have a long-term relationship with your physician it will be much easier for him or her to take note of any changes, perform further diagnostic testing, and provide treatment in the early stages of an illness, when treatment is typically more effective and easier on the patient.