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When it comes to seeking medical attention, it can be difficult to determine whether you need to visit the Emergency Room (ER) or Urgent Care. Both offer medical services, but there are key differences that should be considered before making a decision. In this blog, we’ll explore how to determine which option is best for you.

South Macomb Internal Medicine understands the importance of receiving timely medical care. That’s why we want to ensure you have the knowledge to make an informed decision when it comes to seeking medical attention.

What is Urgent Care?
Urgent Care centers offer medical services for non-life-threatening conditions that require immediate attention. These centers are typically open beyond traditional office hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate patients who need medical attention urgently.

What is the Emergency Room?
Emergency Rooms are equipped to handle medical emergencies, such as severe injuries or life-threatening conditions. They are open 24 hours a day and have the ability to offer a wide range of medical services, including surgical procedures.

When to go to Urgent Care
If you have a medical condition that requires immediate attention, but it’s not life-threatening, Urgent Care may be the best option for you. Urgent Care can treat a wide range of medical issues, including:

Minor injuries, such as cuts and bruises
Cold and flu symptoms
Allergies
Ear infections
Minor burns
Sprains and strains

When to go to the Emergency Room
If you have a medical condition that requires immediate attention and could be life-threatening, the Emergency Room is the best option. The following are examples of medical emergencies that require immediate attention:

Chest pain or pressure
Severe bleeding or head trauma
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Severe abdominal pain
Stroke symptoms, such as slurred speech or weakness on one side of the body
Loss of consciousness
It’s important to remember that the Emergency Room is not a substitute for primary care. If you have a chronic medical condition or need ongoing medical care, you should make an appointment with your primary care physician.

Determining whether to visit Urgent Care or the Emergency Room can be difficult. However, it’s important to understand the differences between the two to make the best decision for your medical needs. If you have a non-life-threatening medical issue that requires immediate attention, Urgent Care may be the best option. If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, the Emergency Room is the best option.

At South Macomb Internal Medicine, we understand that medical emergencies can happen at any time. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team of medical professionals is here to assist you.

Many people know that high cholesterol can lead to heart health issues, but few understand how it can contribute to other physical issues. South Macomb Internal Medicine is here to help you understand the effects of high cholesterol and what you can do about it.

What is High Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in your blood. It’s actually necessary for your body to function properly, but if you have too much of it in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries and lead to serious health problems. There are two different types of cholesterol – LDL (low-density lipoproteins) and HDL (high-density lipoproteins). The higher your LDL levels, the greater the risk of developing heart disease or stroke.

How Can High Cholesterol Affect Other Areas of My Health?
High cholesterol has been linked to a number of other physical issues. For example, having high cholesterol increases your risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD), which occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to other parts of your body such as arms and legs. This buildup can cause pain or numbness in those areas as well as coldness in hands or feet. Additionally, if left untreated, PAD can lead to more serious complications such as gangrene or even amputation.

High cholesterol also increases your risk for diabetes or kidney disease. People with high cholesterol often have higher levels of insulin which can put them at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes due to insulin resistance. Additionally, high cholesterol levels may contribute to kidney damage by causing hardening of the arteries leading into the kidneys which can impair their functioning over time and eventually lead to kidney failure if left untreated.

High cholesterol is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly. If you think you might be at risk for high cholesterol levels, we highly recommend making an appointment with our internal medicine office so we can run some tests and get you on track with a healthy lifestyle plan tailored specifically for you! Taking steps now will help ensure a healthier future full of fewer risks associated with high cholesterol!

With the start of a new year, it’s a great time to take stock of your health and set some goals for the coming year. Here at South Macomb Internal Medicine, we want to help you make sure that 2023 is your healthiest year yet. Read on to find out how you can get started on the right foot and stay healthy all year long.

Start Right with a Checkup
The best way to kick off the new year is by scheduling an appointment with your primary care provider. Checking in with your doctor ensures that any underlying conditions are being managed properly and that any changes in symptoms or lifestyle can be discussed. Plus, most insurance plans cover an annual physical so there’s no excuse not to come in for a checkup!

Set Goals & Track Progress
After your checkup, make sure you follow up with yourself by setting some health-related goals. You might decide to quit smoking, lose weight, or increase your physical activity level. Whatever goal you choose, make sure it’s realistic and achievable within the 12-month timeframe. To keep yourself accountable, track your progress regularly using apps or journals so you can see how far you’ve come—and how far you still need to go!

Be Mindful of Your Diet & Exercise Habits
Now that you’ve set some goals for yourself, it’s important that you take steps towards achieving them every day. Start by improving your diet—cut down on unhealthy snacks and junk food and try to get more fruits and vegetables into each meal. Adding 30 minutes of exercise into each day can also do wonders for both mental and physical wellbeing; if you don’t have time for a workout class, just going for a walk around the block counts as exercise too!

2023 is sure to be an exciting year filled with plenty of opportunities for personal growth—including improving our own health and wellness! Here at South Macomb Internal Medicine we want our patients to always stay healthy so they can enjoy everything life has to offer this year and beyond. We hope these tips have given you some ideas about where to start when it comes to improving your health in 2023.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and at South Macomb Internal Medicine, we want to stress the importance of early detection. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, “if detected early, breast cancer has a 91% five-year survival rate.” 

There are many risk factors associated with breast cancer, and it’s important to be aware of them. Age, gender, family history, and lifestyle choices are all factors that can contribute to your likelihood of developing breast cancer. However, the most important thing you can do is to get screened regularly. 

Screenings You Should Be Getting 

The American Cancer Society recommends that women over the age of 45 get a mammogram every year. If you are under 45, you should talk to your doctor about when you should start getting mammograms and how often you should be getting them. In addition to mammograms, you should also perform monthly self-breast exams. This way you can become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel so that you can more easily detect any changes. 

If you do find a lump or something that doesn’t seem right, don’t panic. Lumps are often benign and not indicative of cancer. However, it’s still important to have them checked out by a doctor just in case. Many women delay going to the doctor because they are embarrassed or scared, but it is so important to take action as soon as possible if you think something might be wrong. 

At South Macomb Internal Medicine, we care about your health and well-being. We want to encourage all of our patients—both current and future—to take action this October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Remember, early detection is key. If you have any questions or concerns about breast cancer screenings or anything else related to your health, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or schedule an appointment with us today. At South Macomb Internal Medicine the patient comes first. Our priority is and always has been patient care before all else.