Breast examinations can cause a woman anxiety for several different reasons. However, there are many benefits to a regular breast examination. In fact, regular breast checkups are an essential component of maintaining optimal breast health during a woman’s lifetime. Failing to engage in this essential process can leave an individual unaware of emerging health risks.

Knowing the ways that this can benefit you can encourage people to more consistently engage in this process, which ultimately has the potential to ensure better health in the long run. If you are on the fence about having a breast examination, take a look at this overview of the ways that an in-office mammogram can help you.

What Occurs During a Breast Examination?

During a breast examination, your physician will examine your breasts to determine whether or not there are abnormalities present. Should they determine that there is something to investigate further, then they will likely refer you for further testing and imaging work.

Overall, the entire process takes little time. It is usually completed within minutes. This allows patients to complete their examination at a convenient time of their choosing.

Although receiving a breast examination can be intimidating or anxiety-provoking, it beats the alternative, as failing to engage in this essential health practice can leave one completely unaware of the internal health of their breasts.

5 Benefits of a Regular Breast Examination

1. It Can Give You Peace of Mind

One of the main benefits of consistent breast examinations is that they have the potential to offer a patient peace of mind. Regardless of whether you ultimately have an issue with your breasts or not, getting them consistently examined can give you a clear answer and dispense any ambiguity.

Knowledge is power, and this applies to one’s health as well. Taking control of your relationship with your body can leave you feeling more empowered and able to respond to the potential issues that arise.

2. It Can Alert You to Developing Problems

One of the main advantages of receiving consistent examinations is that it is the most surefire way to alert you to potential developing health issues in your breasts. For almost all major health issues, it pays to catch issues that are developing early, as this increases the likelihood that you will be able to solve the issue with less stress.

In addition, taking care of issues on the earlier side can prevent further complications with other aspects of your health. Overall, it

3. It Can Give Your Doctor a Portrait of Your Health History

Medical professionals are able to offer individuals a higher level of medical care if they have a clearer portrait of an individual’s health history. If you stick to receiving treatment from the same technician, then there is a higher chance that you will be able to build a more intimate relationship with them in terms of how they understand your progress or lack of progress in major areas of your health.

This can often mean the difference between receiving high-quality care from someone who understands your body and being rushed through a process with a doctor who does not take your needs into account.

4. It Can Possibly Save Your Life

Although relatively rare, breasts can face very serious ailments, such as breast cancer. Failing to catch these conditions as they develop can have dire consequences, as it is essential to catch these types of diseases early in order to lessen their impact.

If you catch conditions like breast cancer early, you will have a significantly higher chance of beating it and maintaining a higher standard of health throughout your life. On the other hand, failing to catch cancer at the appropriate time can have deadly consequences.

5. It Can Help You in Other Medical Areas

If you determine whether or not a problem you are dealing with originates in the breasts, it can help you rule out certain health complications. This can help you determine what the correct path forward is for taking the best care of your health. Overall, as a quick and effective method of diagnosis, there’s no reason not to engage.

Your Resource for Breast Examination in Abilene 

West Texas Health is one of the most trusted clinics in Texas for providing patients with high-quality examinations and imaging care. Now that you know the benefits of a regular breast examination, contact our clinic today to discuss your options for moving forward with one in Abilene.

Allergies can affect people year-round, contributing to a series of negative symptoms and traits. You might be affected by the pollens that fly through the air during the spring. Or perhaps you are allergic to grass and deal with itching and irritation during the summertime. No matter what time of the year you deal with seasonal symptoms, you should invest in professional allergy services and take steps to prepare for seasonal allergies. 

If you feel allergy symptoms are starting to creep up on you, read on to learn steps you can take to prepare for seasonal allergies.

5 Steps You Can Take to Prepare for Seasonal Allergies

1. Learn Your Allergy Triggers

Different allergies stem from different triggers and allergens. It is important to recognize what exactly sparks your allergic reactions. For example, if you are allergic to flower pollens, stay indoors on particularly windy days. If you have multiple allergic reactions and cannot quite pinpoint the source, we encourage you to visit us for a comprehensive allergy test. 

2. Learn When Allergy Season Starts

Season allergies can occur every few months. Those with severe reactions might feel like they are always coming down with different allergy symptoms. Knowing when to expect seasonal flare-ups can help you prepare for the difficult times ahead. More importantly, knowing what to expect can help you avoid these problems altogether. 

Most people experience spring allergies, which can begin as early as February and last through the summer. Late summer and fall allergies exist as well, as the changing leaves and intense weather patterns take a toll on our bodies. Avoiding pollens, mold, dander, and other possible allergens during these peak times will keep your symptoms at bay. 

3. Equip Your Home with the Essentials

During particularly bad bouts of weather, you may want to stay indoors and avoid an allergic reaction—let alone a cold. If you are already struggling with an outbreak of allergies, these at-home essentials can help: 

• Combine your air conditioner and dehumidifier to create a cool and dry environment, free of moisture in the air. 
• Use designated filters and HEPA items to keep even the most microscopic of allergens out of the air in your home. 
• Try to sweep and vacuum often to keep the area clean. 

If your allergies are very serious, you might also be prescribed medication like an inhaler or an EpiPen for use in an emergency.

4. List and Track Your Symptoms

If you are ready to get medical help for your seasonal allergy problems, you have come to the right place. When you reach out to our West Texas Health experts, we will ask you to describe the exact symptoms you are experiencing. Depending on the type of seasonal allergies you get, as well as how intense your symptoms are, there might be a specific type of treatment that works for you. 

Many allergy symptoms are similar to those of a common cold. Fever, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, coughing, watery eyes, itchiness, rash, and fatigue can all be signs that you are having an allergic reaction. 

5. Get Started with an Appropriate Treatment Plan

The longer you go without seeking appropriate care for seasonal allergies, the worse your symptoms can get. Instead of waiting for your health to deteriorate, you can get essential medical care in Abilene by reaching out to our friendly experts today. We can help you narrow down your allergy symptoms to pinpoint the exact trigger. With a combination of education and prescribed medication, you can set yourself up for an allergy-free future. Get started with us today to learn more! 

Any healthcare physician will tell you about the importance of scheduling a screening mammogram regularly. This is an opportunity to assess the health of your breasts while checking for any abnormalities. These preventative measures can possibly save you from years of pain and expensive treatment. Below, we cover what to know ahead of your screening mammogram.

What to Know Ahead of Your Screening Mammogram

If you are getting a mammogram in Abilene for the first time or for the first time in a while, you are probably eager to learn more. In this article, we will discuss what to know ahead of your screening mammogram so you can be fully prepared for your appointment.

The Preparation Process

You do not need to do anything in particular before your appointment, such as fasting or taking a certain medication. But it is important that you are also mentally prepared. To help the process run more smoothly, make sure you wear clothing with a top that is easily removable. A mammogram requires you to remove all clothing above the waist.

You can bring lotion or deodorant with you to apply after the mammogram, which can provide some instant relief and comfort. However, make sure that you do not use these products before your screening. Certain products can show up as spots on mammogram results, but they will look indistinguishable from other spots, which could be a cause for concern.

During Your Appointment

If you have had a mammogram before, you should bring your records with you. This can help the doctor gauge whether or not there have been any changes since your last screening. Before you begin, you should let the doctor know whether you have implants or if you are breastfeeding. If you have trouble standing up straight and still, please let us know so we can provide you with the proper means of accessibility.

The Mammogram

You will be in a standing position during your mammogram screening. There will be two plates on which each breast will be put. Two upper plates will come down and compress your breast tissue slowly during the screening. It will feel like your breasts are being squished, which can cause some discomfort. You will feel the machine rotating a few times in order to capture images and X-rays of your breast tissue.

Your appointment will last around 45 minutes or less, but the time you will spend with your breasts in the mammogram machine is much shorter. Most screenings take just a few minutes! The machine spends about 15 seconds taking each image, and the doctor will likely take a few images of each breast.

Do Mammograms Hurt?

Some people experience pain during the mammogram screening. Most experience discomfort. A lot of people have avoided their necessary mammogram screenings in the past because they worry about the painful process.

While mammograms can be a bit painful, the sensation only lasts a few seconds at a time. We need to compress your breast tissue to get an accurate and detailed reading of your chest area, as well as to prevent radiation from reaching other parts of your body. You can take Advil or Tylenol prior to your appointment to help ease any feelings of pain.

Assessing Your Results

Once the radiologist receives your mammogram images, testing will begin. The doctor will look for any signs of abnormality, including solid masses that may or may not be cancer. Mammograms are also helpful to measure things such as breast density, fibrous tissue, calcifications, and more.

In some cases, you will receive your results on the very same day that you had your mammogram screening. You may have to wait until the next business day. However, you can usually find your results pretty fast. If you are called back for a second mammogram, do not panic – this is common and can mean a lot of different things. Your doctor may want to simply give you another screening to establish a record of your breast health.

Get in touch with your trusted Abilene gynecologists to schedule your mammogram screening today.

Vaccines are vital for your health and well-being. Whether your child is due for some important preventative medication or you are looking to build up an immunity to common diseases, you might be wondering: Can you have a walk-in vaccination? Will any doctor’s office allow you to get a quick vaccine with a same-day appointment?

Can You Have a Walk-In Vaccination?

At West Texas Health, the answer is yes! We invite you to visit our comprehensive immunization center where we have same-day services available for many different vaccinations. Find out what types of vaccines are available and what treatments you and your family are eligible for right away. With your trusted Abilene doctors, you can boost your health and your immune system as soon as today!

Preventing Common Illness With a Single Shot

One of the biggest reasons why patients will put off getting their vaccines is fear of pain. If you have never had a vaccine before or if it’s been a very long time since you last had one, you might be intimidated by the process. You might envision a cold and clinical waiting room where you have to endure a long and torturous appointment.

Fortunately, our immunization processes are not as daunting as that. We offer quick and easy vaccine options for patients on the go. Most of our vaccines can be administered in a single injection, although some patients will require more than one medication. A small needle prick is the only kind of pain you should expect. Before you know it, the immunization process will be over as quickly as it began.

Same-Day Vaccinations Offered at West Texas Health

As a proud member of the Privia Medical Group, we hold ourselves to a high standard of healthcare and customer service. We understand the immediate needs of our community and work always to provide accessible, same-day services to all patients. Instead of searching far and wide to find same-day vaccines, you can simply call your reliable neighbors in Abilene and we will get you on our calendar.

We offer a wide range of required and approved vaccines for children and adults, including:

• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Whooping cough
• Hepatitis B
• HPV
• Measles/Mumps
• Chickenpox
• RSV

We also offer the flu (influenza) vaccine during certain seasons of the year, as well as updated COVID-19 vaccines using the Moderna brand. We carry a wide range of vaccines so that the correct medication can be made available to patients based on age and current immune health.

Lower Your Risk – Increase Your Benefits

Vaccines are one of the easiest and most important ways to keep your body healthy. You can prevent diseases while building up a powerful immunity against illness. Vaccines carry virtually no risk. However, there are a few side effects to be aware of.

Vaccines function by putting trace amounts of the disease into your body, helping you build strong antibodies against it. You may temporarily feel the symptoms of this disease, which can include things like nausea, feverishness, sore muscles, and fatigue. These symptoms should only last for a couple of days at most. As your body continues to process the vaccine, it builds a shield that keeps you healthy and protects you from getting sick in the future.

Schedule Your Same-Day Vaccine Today!

We allow walk-in appointments for many essential vaccines. Many of our immunization services are required by the CDC, which is why make it a priority to offer these vaccinations all day long. Make sure you and your children do the best for your health by scheduling a much-needed vaccine with our Abilene doctors. You can make a healthy decision for yourself as soon as today. Get in touch with us to learn more!

Your primary care doctor exists as your first point of contact for any health issues you may be experiencing. But the doctor is not just a resource when you are sick; it is important to schedule regular checkups to make sure you are still practicing good health. Since a lot of our Abeline doctors recommend seeing the doctor several times per year, a lot of our patients tend to ask: How often should I see my primary care doctor? 

How Often Should I See My Primary Care Doctor? 

Everybody has different medical needs, so the answer can vary from person to person. Below, we will outline some general guidelines for visiting your primary care doctor. It is important that you understand all of the benefits available to you through your PCP, so you should visit as often as you feel is necessary. 

What Your Primary Care Doctor is For 

Primary care exists as a one-stop shop for a variety of ailments. This is the doctor you should establish a relationship with and continue to visit as the years go by. This is the person you should trust to help you with routine check-ups, check-ins, and prescriptions. If you are feeling sick or have a sudden injury, you can also visit your primary care doctor for help. Depending on the intensity of your symptoms, you may be referred to a specialist or sent to the hospital for additional care.

Why You Should Visit Your Primary Care Doctor Often

It is really important that you establish regular care with a primary doctor. This person can get to know you and your medical history as you go through life. This is the doctor you can rely on whenever there is a change in your health, or even if you have a quick question about your treatments. 

Other benefits of visiting your primary care doctor include: 

• Regular check-ins allow you to more closely monitor your health over the years
• You can catch certain medical issues early and invest in preventative care, avoiding poor health and expensive treatment down the line
• Discover certain health problems before they grow worse
• Save time and money by visiting your doctor more often 
• Create a trusting relationship with your doctor who will always be looking out for your best interests

Committing to regular care means committing to a lifetime of health and happiness. You can both prevent issues before they appear and boost your overall health by learning about different lifestyle practices. Your doctor will be happy to help you out in a way that works best for you. 

Exactly How Often Should You Visit the Doctor?

The number of times you visit your doctor is determined by many factors, including age and overall health status. If you are in good health and you are below 50 years of age, you should visit your doctor at least once a year. However, you may have additional concerns that will cause you to schedule more frequent check-ups with your PCP. 

Similarly, anyone who is over the age of 50 or who has been diagnosed with an illness should visit their doctor more than once per year. You can work to create a professional plan of care that will allow you the flexibility of visiting your doctor only when you need to. As long as no other issues arise, you can expect a fairly regular schedule between you and your doctor. 

Get Caught Up with Your Primary Care Needs Today

If you have not visited the doctor in a long time, it is never too late to get back on track. You can establish a great relationship with one of our primary care doctors in Abilene to work through your health issues and get great preventative care. We are accepting new patients in west Texas right now, so give us a call and schedule your first appointment for a lifetime of great healthcare!