Primary Care

Whether you need a routine checkup or screening procedure or need help with an injury or illness, it’s good to have a primary care service you can rely on. Rafael Sanchez, MD, of Prestige Primary Care in Hilton Head, South Carolina, is an experienced primary care physician who also provides specialist services to patients who have weight problems. Find out more about the services available by calling Prestige Primary Care, or requesting an appointment online today.

What is primary care?

Primary care is the gateway to health services, being the first point of contact for everything health-related, including:

• Everyday health problems
• Treatment of minor ailments
• Health checkups and routine physical exams
• Management of chronic health conditions
• Health screening tests and exams
• Immunization programs
• Advice on leading a healthier lifestyle
• Support with quitting smoking
• Weight loss programs

Dr. Sanchez and his team at Prestige Primary Care provide outstanding primary care that covers a comprehensive range of non-urgent medical services. 

Do I need to use primary care services if I feel well?

If you’re in good health, you still need to see Dr. Sanchez for an annual physical, where he can check all your vital signs and how well everything’s functioning. Physicals are essential for picking up early signs of many types of health conditions that respond well to timely treatment but could cause serious harm to your health and even be fatal if a diagnosis isn’t made soon enough.

As well as a standard physical, women need to have regular Pap smears, men should have a prostate exam, and both sexes need to undergo an examination of their reproductive organs. It’s also a good idea to undergo routine testing for STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) if you’re sexually active, especially if you’re not in a monogamous relationship.

Preventive medicine makes a significant contribution to keeping you healthy and avoiding the effects of infection and disease, and the team at Prestige Primary Care is committed to providing preventive measures as part of their primary care services. Preventive medicine isn’t just about immunization and screening but helping people lead healthier lives to combat the rise in preventable illnesses like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.

What kinds of conditions does primary care treat?

Unless you have a medical emergency and need to go straight to the hospital, you would use primary care services at Prestige Primary Care for all types of health problems. Injuries like sprains, strains, and back problems, and common illnesses like colds, flu, stomach upsets, rashes, headaches, and fevers are all best dealt with at a primary care facility.

Dr. Sanchez also supports patients who have long-term health problems that require ongoing management, such as:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Chronic pain
• Depression and other mood disorders
• Diabetes
• Eczema
• Fibromyalgia
• Immune system disorders
• Leg ulcers
• Thyroid problems

If you have a health problem or you need help with preventive health measures, contact the team at Prestige Primary Care.

Can my primary care provider help if I need specialized care?

From time to time, you or a family member might need some form of specialized care. If so, Dr. Sanchez can help you find the right practitioner for your needs. Once you begin specialized care, he remains in close contact with your extended health team, ensuring continuity of care once you return. 

Medical recordkeeping is also simplified. Dr. Sanchez ensures that your personal health history includes the pertinent details of your specialized care. This is a great benefit for those with complex health issues like chronic disease. 

To learn more about primary care, call Prestige Primary Care or request an in-person or telehealth appointment online today.