Flagler Family Specialties:

- Bone Density Test — also called densitometry or DXA scan — determines whether you have osteoporosis or are at risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become more fragile and more likely to break. A bone density test uses X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. A bone density test is a fairly accurate predictor of your risk of fracture

- Carotid Ultrasound - shows the amount of blood flow in the carotid arteries, the major blood vessels to the brain located on either side of your neck. With this imaging technique, your doctor can see if there is any narrowing of your carotid arteries because of cholesterol deposits or some other problem. This test is often used to evaluate people who have had a stroke or who might be at high risk for one because of reduced blood flow in the carotid arteries.

- Coumadin(Blood Thinning Medication) Clinic - provides a new finger-stick method of blood analysis, approved by the FDA in 1997. This test is performed in the doctor’s office, eliminates the need for painful blood draws, and ensures that accurate results are available within two minutes. The patient will visit with a trained Physician Assistant(P.A.) or a trained Medical Assistant (M.A. supervised by a physician) each time. Any adjustment to the medication dosage will be made immediately, in consultation with a physician, if necessary, and the patient will go home.

- Echocardiogram -  This test is used to look at how blood flows through the heart chambers, heart valves, and blood vessels. The movement of the blood reflects sound waves to a transducer. The ultrasound computer then measures the direction and speed of the blood flowing through your heart and blood vessels. Doppler measurements may be displayed in black and white or in color.

- Electrocardiogram — abbreviated as EKG or ECG — is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat. With each beat, an electrical impulse (or “wave”) travels through the heart. This wave causes the muscle to squeeze and pump blood from the heart. 

- Spirometry - It measures how much and how quickly you can move air out of your lungs. For this test, you breathe into a mouthpiece attached to a recording device (spirometer). The information collected by the spirometer may be printed out on a chart called a spirogram.

- Wellness Center - This program has been designed to control the estimated two thirds of the adult population who are overweight, obese or malnourished. The goal of this program is to decrease the potential and current health risks of diseases such as Diabetes, Hypertension, and Hyperlipidemia along many others.   We handle this by changing body composition and decreasing the amount of excess fat which is usually the primary reasons for the development of such diseases.  This program can also help with patients who have difficulty with weight gain. What makes this program different from other programs is the medical supervision and the continuous contact between patient and Wellness Coach, both of whom will be monitoring your program on a monthly visit. We work together with other Primary Care Physician and Specialist by submitting documentation  (results of testing) via fax. Your commitment, along with your Wellness Coach and Medical Physician will help you during the transition period.

What you can expect during your Wellness session:

- Well Woman Exam is a good opportunity to discuss any concerns that you may not feel comfortable talking about with friends or family such as infection, drug and alcohol use, depression and domestic violence. Any health information you reveal is kept confidential, by law, so be sure to ask your care provider about any concerns. It always is a good idea to write down any questions you have and bring your list with you. Remember, no question is stupid. Your care provider wants to make sure you receive a complete plan of care in order to help you be healthy in every way including the following exams: The physical exam is a head-to-toe exam that gives clues to any health problems. Blood pressure, weight, urine testing and a check for anemia often are done. Your care provider likely will examine eyes, ears, nose, mouth, thyroid gland, lungs, lymph nodes, heart, breasts, abdomen, reflexes, skin and bone and spine. Any problems that are noted may need referral to another care provider. Eye and dental care is a must for overall health, too, and you should seek routine care for these health issues. The breast exam , performed by your provider, is a very important part of the yearly well woman exam. It should be done for women of all ages to look for any evidence of breast disease. Even though you may have a negative clinical breast exam, you should continue monthly breast self-exams in order to give yourself the best protection against breast cancer. The pelvic exam specifically determines if the outer sexual parts and the inner organs are healthy. To do this, your care provider will look at the outer area for any problems then into the vagina, in order to see the entire vagina and the lower part of the uterus called the cervix. This allows your care provider to observe any abnormal discharge or appearance to the vagina and cervix. An annual pap smear to detect abnormal cell changes of the cervix that could lead to cancer may be done at this time.  Rectal examinations are not routinely done by most care providers unless there is a problem. Women over age 40 may be more likely to have rectal exams. Be sure to let your care provider know if you have never had a pelvic or rectal exam or if you ever have had problems during an exam.

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