Anxiety and depression are common conditions that smolder along for months, compromising a person's quality of life. They often interfere with our relationships, family, friends, and our work. The symptoms can peak suddenly and come to a crisis, requiring immediate treatment. There are no formal tests to establish a diagnosis, so it is important to exclude medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Approximately 1 out of 40 patients evaluated for anxiety have a thyroid disorder. This is called making...

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Fractures are a common problem for Urgent Care Physicians. After twenty years of practice I am still amazed at how many different ways we can break the same bone. Fractures are like snow flakes; they all look similar, but when you look closer they have subtle differences. Treatment is based on the results of previous patients (research) with similar fractures. Research is the foundation, but there is no substitute for experience. At HMC we have splints, crutches, x-ray, casting materials,...

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An accurate diagnosis is essential for successful treatment. However, as information about a person's medical condition is gathered, the risk and cost of obtaining the information must be considered. Often, we (the patient and Physician) make decisions with an incomplete set of data. This is where the art and science of practicing medicine meet. Arriving at a diagnosis begins with the history and physical exam. Physicians are trained to follow a specific pattern. The history begins with a chief complaint...

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The moment an injury occurs or an illness begins, our bodies begin to repair or heal the wound. It is impossible to list all of the conditions that would benefit from a clinic visit, so we have to use our knowledge, experience, and common sense. You can ask yourself some basic questions: Am I in danger? Is the pain severe or out of control? Are you getting worse? Preexisting conditions like Diabetes, prior cancer treatment, or young or old age...

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