Sickness/Illness Treatment (General Illnesses)

If you or your child is sick, schedule an appointment with Dr. Abraham or one of his associates. He will discuss your symptoms, thoroughly examine your condition, and suggest appropriate treatment options.

Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat (EENT)
Disorders of the head and neck, such as those affecting the ears, nose, or throat, range from minor concerns that are easily treatable to serious health conditions with lasting repercussions. At Abraham Family and Geriatric Medicine, our expertise allows us to properly diagnose these disorders and determine what treatment is needed.

For patients with concerns regarding hearing problems, ear infections, balance, allergies, sinus infections, vocal disorders, swallowing problems, and other issues of the head and neck, we will conduct a thorough exam and use necessary diagnostic testing to determine cause of the symptoms and to design a treatment plan that is tailored to the patient’s needs.
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Fatigue
Not getting enough sleep and feeling tired the next day is a temporary and common condition that can be remedied with getting some extra sleep.  For some, chronic fatigue can last significantly longer and start to affect daily activities such as energy, mood and mental capabilities.  Fatigue is not necessarily the common notion of needing more sleep but generally contributed to lifestyle influences (substance abuse, poor eating habits, medication or caffeine use), depression/anxiety, stress, or underlying symptoms of a medical condition (anemia, cancer, COPD, heart disease, etc.).  It’s best to contact a doctor if your fatigue lasts longer than two weeks or immediately if physical symptoms of discomfort appear.
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Fever/Chills
One of the first and most common signs of illness is a change in body temperature. It often starts with “the chills,” or feeling cold and shivering, before a fever develops. A fever is present when the patient’s body temperature is higher than the normal 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, although a patient’s normal temperature can vary slightly, so the body temperature must typically be higher than 100.4 degrees before the patient is considered to have a fever.

Unless a fever is extremely high, the fever itself does not typically require treatment, but instead is a sign of an underlying illness. A fever is caused when the body’s immune system is triggered and is fighting an illness like the flu or an infection. Therefore, for patients who visit Abraham Family and Geriatric Medicine due to a fever, we can do a more thorough examination to determine the underlying illness and administer any necessary treatment.
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Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal illnesses are those that affect the digestive system. Some disorders affect primarily the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract (like the stomach and esophagus), such as GERD (acid reflux or heartburn). Other gastrointestinal disorders focus on the lower portion of the digestive system, like the bowels and rectum. These illnesses can range from minor concerns, like constipation, hemorrhoids, a viral infection, and diarrhea, to more serious health conditions like colorectal cancer.

Some gastrointestinal disorders can be treated with simple lifestyle changes, while other disorders require medical intervention, and in many cases, a variety of illnesses can present with the same symptoms. Therefore, it is important for patients to seek an answer(s) from qualified medical professionals. At Abraham Family and Geriatric Medicine, we listen to our patients’ symptoms, concerns, and medical histories to reach a diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan that meets the patient’s individual needs and physical examination.
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High/Low Blood Sugar
Blood sugar is exactly what it sounds like—the amount of sugar in a patient’s blood. The sugar enters the bloodstream based on the foods we eat. Having a healthy amount of sugar in the blood is important for your body to function properly, and the body uses a hormone called insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Diabetes occurs when a patient’s body does not produce insulin correctly. In this case, the blood sugar must be closely monitored so that it can be manually adjusted by oral medication or insulin injections, or eating healthy foods.

Patients should always be on the lookout for the symptoms of a blood sugar imbalance. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) symptoms include feeling shaky, irritable, very hungry, tired, and sweaty. In some cases, a headache can develop, and severely low blood sugar can lead to confusion or even unconsciousness or a seizure. Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include severe thirst or exhaustion, blurry vision, unexplained weight loss, and frequent urination. At Abraham Family and Geriatric Medicine, we can determine why patients are experiencing blood sugar imbalances and, if necessary, create a treatment plan to keep them healthy and keep their blood sugar within normal levels.
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Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction is a rather broad term referring to any problem that hinders a patient from experiencing sexual arousal or gratification, including desire disorders, arousal disorders, orgasm disorders, and pain disorders (painful intercourse). Sexual dysfunction can have a number of causes, some physical (like diabetes, heart disease, drug or alcohol addiction, and neurological or hormonal disorders) and some psychological (like stress and anxiety, relationship problems, and emotional disorders). Through compiling a complete history of symptoms and, if necessary, conducting certain physical exams or lab tests, we can identify and address the underlying cause of sexual dysfunction.
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Urinary Problems/ Infection
Difficulty or discomfort with urination is a distressing symptom for many patients, and because the same problem could signal anything from a mild infection to a serious condition, patients who experience urinary symptoms should seek a medical evaluation.

One of the most common urinary conditions is a urinary tract infection (UTI), which typically causes a burning sensation during urination. While mild bladder infections are quite common, if untreated, they can also develop into a more serious problem like a kidney infection.  Kidney stones are also a frequent urinary problem, while in other cases, urinary discomfort can be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Like a UTI, many STIs can be easily treated but should be addressed as soon as possible, because they can create a serious health risk if left untreated.
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Weight Changes
While some weight fluctuation throughout life is normal, weight changes that are sudden or unexplained can be a warning sign from the body, and should be evaluated by a qualified medical professional. For patients who have noticed their weight slowly and gradually increasing with age, we can design a plan to help you adjust to the natural slowing of the metabolism that comes with aging, and to improve your weight and overall health.

For patients whose weight loss or gain has occurred suddenly and was not caused by a change in diet or exercise habits, a medical exam is important to determine whether the fluctuation is a symptom of an underlying condition, like a thyroid disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome, cardiac or kidney disease, or a reaction to certain medications.
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