If you are feeling symptoms related to Coronavirus (COVID-19), please CALL your Primary Care Provider. | Symptoms include: Fever, Cough, Muscle Pain, Shortness of Breath, Sore Throat, Chills, Repeated Shaking with Chills, Headache, New Loss of Taste or Smell — *Please note this is not an inclusive list and you may experience some symptoms and not others. – Seek Immediate Medical Attention if you are experiencing: Trouble breathing, Persistent pain or pressure in the chest, New confusion or inability to arouse, Bluish lips or face | Your Primary Care Provider and the staff will work with you to determine your next steps. Your doctor has a protocol to work with the local health department to determine testing and additional care.
It’s Not Just Lifespan – Healthspan Matters
/in Recent News /by Madison BambiniBy: Meg Irish
Published: November 15, 2019
Many of us have heard of lifespan, but do we know the importance of healthspan? Healthspan is the period of life spent in good health free from chronic diseases and the disability of aging. It is not merely the absence of disease, but health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. If one is past their healthspan, that means they are chronically sick, typically with a degenerating condition. Unlike the average lifespan, which for Americans is roughly 79-years-old, we don’t have a marker for the average healthspan. Understanding how we age and what we can do to promote healthy aging is the key to building upon our healthspan. Once thought to be unavoidable, consequences of aging are now considered preventable.
People measure health like beauty. One person may feel healthy if their doctor says their vital signs are normal and they are able to take care of their personal needs. Another may feel unhealthy at the same level if they had to give up or restrict some enjoyed activity.
Read more
Dupuytren’s Contracture Explained
/in Recent News /by Madison BambiniBy: Madison Bambini
Published: November 12, 2019
As we age, it’s crucial to stay on top of our health and recognize when there are shifts in our bodies. By identifying these shifts early on, many health risks and diseases can be treated and prevented before they become too severe. One condition that can benefit from early treatment is Dupuytren’s contracture, a hand deformity that may develop as we age.
Read more
An Overview on Enlarged Prostate (BPH) and One New Minimally Invasive Treatment
/in Recent News /by Madison BambiniBy: Meg Irish
Published: November 11, 2019
Enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is one of the most common diseases affecting older men, specifically those older than 50. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, BPH affects about 50% of men between the ages of 51 to 60 and affects up to 90% of men older than 80. The condition refers to a rapid increase of cells, causing the prostate to expand. As the prostate grows, it can place pressure on the urethra resulting in various urinary problems including the decreased force of stream, hesitancy, straining, incomplete bladder emptying, and waking up to urinate several times at night. Read more
TPMG Expands Health Care Services
/in Recent News /by Madison BambiniBy: TPMG
Published: October 24, 2019
Local medical group, Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group (TPMG), a network of over 220 physicians and advanced clinicians in over 85 offices across the Tidewater area, is excited to announce the expansion of imaging and OB/GYN services, providing more health care options to the Hampton community.
According to BreastCancer.org, about 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, making it essential to detect cancer in its earliest stages. TPMG’s team of radiologists, A. Janae Johnson, MD, Jeffrey A. VandeSand, MD, and Matthew T. Doherty, MD, are dedicated to providing patients with quality, comprehensive care. They are all fellowship trained and board certified by the American Board of Radiology, demonstrating excellence in the field. Read more
What You Need to Know About Lung Cancer Screenings
/in Recent News /by Madison BambiniBy: Meg Irish
Published: October 17, 2019
For many people, taking a diagnostic exam can be a daunting undertaking, especially when it concerns lung cancer or even the suspicion of lung cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, one in 16 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime. Furthermore, lung cancer is the number one leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. among men and women. The recommended screening test for lung cancer is the low-dose CT scan (LDCT), in which a patient is scanned using low doses of radiation to produce detailed images of the patient’s lungs.
“The low-dose CT of the chest is a lung cancer screening test, just as a mammogram screens for breast cancer and a colonoscopy screens for colon cancer,” said TPMG Pulmonologist, Agnieszka E. Petersen, MD. “We check healthy patients to screen in order to detect cancer early, though most patients screened do not have lung cancer.”
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, a national panel of experts, recommends LDCT, a test that has been proven an effective method to reduce mortality in patients with lung cancer. Read more
Obesity Epidemic
/in Recent News /by Madison BambiniBy: Meg Irish
Published: October 15, 2019
Despite increased awareness of obesity in recent years, the number of those diagnosed with this disease continues to rise in both the U.S. and worldwide. Around 70% of the U.S. population is currently considered either overweight or obese. Obesity is classified by a person’s body mass index (BMI), the value derived from the mass and height of an individual. Nearly 30% of the population is considered overweight, meaning their BMI is above 24 and below 29.9. Those categorized as obese have a BMI of more than 29.9 and account for 40% of the population. High rates of inactivity, easy access to high calorie-dense food, and changes in behavior all contribute to this growing trend.
“The greatest challenge as a primary care provider often comes when consulting patients,” said family medicine physician, Ebtehal Abdelaal, MD, of TPMG Peninsula Medical Associates. “Oftentimes, patients say they are not ready to discuss the issue, and we’re unable to help resolve some of the underlying medical conditions associated with obesity.” Read more
Asthma in the Fall
/in Recent News /by Madison BambiniBy: Christina F. Ortiz, MD
Published: October 14, 2019
Autumn can be a challenging time of year for school-aged children and adults with allergies and asthma. Emergency room visits increase significantly in the fall due to asthma attacks. This phenomenon is likely due to fall allergens, cooler temperatures, and an increase in viral infections as children return to school. Learning about triggers and managing asthma can help prevent emergency room visits and allow patients and their families to enjoy the fall season. Read more
Common Hand and Wrist Conditions That May Require Surgery
/in Recent News /by Madison BambiniBy: Madison Bambini
Published: October 10, 2019
It’s no secret that for most of us, our hands and wrists are some of the most used parts of our bodies. Our hands help us cook meals, perform jobs, and even make music and art. When our hands and wrists start to fail us, it can be debilitating. However, a specially trained surgeon can help you find relief. Below are some of the most common conditions that may require hand surgery explained: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Trigger Finger, Basal Joint Arthritis, Ganglion Cysts, and trauma to the hands and wrists. Read more
TPMG Imaging Offers Saturday Screening Mammogram Appointments on October 19, 2019
/in Recent News /by MeganNewport News, VA, September 27, 2019 – TPMG Imaging and Breast Centers in Newport News, Williamsburg, and Hampton will offer screening mammogram appointments on Saturday, October 19, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read more
Injury Prevention Tips and Treatment for the Weekend Warrior
/in Recent News /by MeganBy: Meg Irish
Posted: September 19, 2019
Not all of us are seasoned athletes, training consistently day in and day out because let’s face it, we have busy schedules to keep. For those of us who find other ways to sneak in exercise, we typically fall in the category of a weekend warrior, picking up a game of basketball with friends or participating in a weekend 5K. This category doesn’t necessarily mean you cram exercise in only on the weekend. It refers to a person who participates in physically strenuous activity only a few days of the week, rather than spreading it out evenly throughout the week. Read more