Access Health Care Physicians

Alcohol is the most widely used substance in the United States. The majority of people who drink are able to drink in moderation. Alcohol Use Disorder often leads to other alcohol-related issues, such as issues with the liver, polyneuropathy, cardiomyopathy, and more. It also includes alcohol dependence or alcoholism, which is when you've lost control of your drinking.  

Speech-language pathologists, also known as SLPs, specialize in communication. SLPs work with people of all ages, from children to adults. Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) are allied health professionals. They work with parents, caregivers, and other professionals, such as teachers, nurses, occupational therapists, and doctors. Speech therapy techniques are used to improve communication. These include articulation therapy, language intervention activities, and others, depending on the type of speech or language disorder. Speech therapy may be needed for speech disorders that develop in childhood or in adults for speech loss caused by injury or disease, such as stroke or brain injury. A speech-language pathologist works to help prevent, assess, and treat speech, language and swallowing disorders. These professionals may work with patients suffering from stroke, physical trauma, neurological diseases, TBI, etc. They offer expressive language therapy, cognitive therapy, vital stimul...

A stress test is also known as an exercise stress test. How your heart works during physical activity. Because exercise makes your heart pump harder and faster, an exercise stress test can reveal problems with blood flow to your heart. The stress test shows how well your heart handles physical activity. When you exercise, your heart pumps faster and faster. Some heart disorders are easier to detect when your heart is working harder. During the stress test, your heart will be checked while exercising on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. If you are not healthy enough to exercise, you will be given medicine that will make your heart beat faster and faster, as if you are actually exercising.    

Diagnoses related to the current use of alcohol are coded according to how certain DSM-5 criteria are met. Ethanol causes CNS depression, leading to sedation, slurred speech, impaired judgment, uncoordinated behavior, euphoria, and impaired sensory and motor skills. Sustained increases in ethanol concentration and CNS depression lead to confusion, stupor, coma, and eventually death. The CNS-depressant effects of ethanol are potentiated by other CNS depressants such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, antihistamines, and opioids. Other acute effects include depression in myocardial contractility and inhibition of an antidiuretic hormone leading to increased urine output, dehydration, and irritation of the gastric mucosa.    

Vascular studies are often performed by doctors in response to symptoms that point to cardiac issues, such as swelling or numbness in the extremities. Vascular ultrasound uses sound waves to evaluate the body's circulatory system and helps identify blockages in arteries and veins and detect blood clots. A technique that evaluates blood flow through a blood vessel is usually part of this test. Ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation, has no known harmful effects, and provides images of soft tissues that are not visible on X-ray images. Vascular study or arterial Doppler uses ultrasound to take pictures and videos of our veins and arteries. These tests generally require no preparation and are painless with no side effects. The technician will place an acoustic gel over the area to be studied, and then slide the ultrasound wand over the area to take video and still images for the doctor to review. Your doctor will discuss your results at a follow-up appointment.

Smoking causes disease and disability and damages almost every organ in the body. Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also increases the risk of immune system problems, including tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis. Nicotine is an addictive chemical compound found in tobacco plants. Nicotine use can cause serious health problems, including increased blood pressure and hardening of artery walls, which can lead to a heart attack. Tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, most e-cigarettes, and hookah tobacco contain nicotine. Documentation, including treatment plans and diagnoses related to the toxic effects of tobacco and nicotine , as well as chronic conditions for current tobacco use, must include specific information to be fully supported.    

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are non-invasive tests that show how well the lungs are working. The tests measure lung volume, capacity, flow rate, and gas exchange. This information can help your healthcare provider decide on the diagnosis and treatment of certain lung disorders. A doctor will order one or more PFTs , also known as lung function tests, to determine how well you are able to breathe and how well your lungs travel to the rest of your body. Effectively send oxygen. If you already have a condition affecting your lungs, your doctor may order this test to see if the condition is progressing or how it is responding to treatment.