If you’re worried you might have arthritis, you’re in good company. Nearly one-quarter of all American adults have this painful joint condition, which causes swelling, stiffness, and pain. The board-certified internal medicine providers at Prima Medicine in Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia, specialize in the treatment of this painful joint...
When it comes to selecting a primary care physician, you might be confused about the differences between internal medicine and family medicine. Both internists and family practitioners offer primary care and treat a wide range of health issues and concerns, but there are some differences. At Prima Medicine, in Fairfax...
If you’re living with diabetes, you’re in good company. Researchers report about 11% of American adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, and many more are living with insulin resistance, prediabetes, or undiagnosed diabetes. When you have diabetes, getting medical care is a must. At Prima Medicine, in Fairfax and South...
Did you know that vitamin D is unlike many other vitamins? In fact, this fat-soluble “vitamin” isn’t a vitamin at all but a hormone. Your body needs vitamin D to survive. It helps with many bodily functions, but its primary job is to help your body absorb calcium to help...
When you’re feeling unwell or injured, a doctor can diagnose the cause and help you recover. But many people wonder if seeing their provider when they’re feeling fine, such as at an annual physical, is necessary. The simple answer is yes, they’re very necessary. Like the adage says, prevention is...
Winter is in full swing, and that means the heart of influenza (flu) season is here. Getting your flu shot offers the best protection against becoming ill with the flu, and at Prima Medicine, in Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia, our providers follow CDC recommendations that people ages 6 months...
If you have a chronic health condition, you may benefit from remote patient monitoring (RPM). This service takes advantage of technology using mobile medical devices to provide important health data to your providers. Your RPM team uses this data as part of a holistic health care plan. A care coordinator...
You may be surprised to learn that 60% of adults in America have a chronic health condition. If you’re one of them, you know how frustrating it can be to coordinate care across different health teams. This lack of integrated care often contributes to complications and other issues. Chronic care...
Illnesses and accidents rarely hit at convenient times or give you time to plan an appointment in advance. Fortunately, urgent care offers fast, affordable care — usually at a lower cost than emergency room (ER) treatment. When your condition isn’t severe enough to make a trip to the ER but...
Here in the warm, humid Washington, D.C., area, insect bites and stings may not be welcome, but they are a part of life. And even if you take steps to avoid them, bites and stings can be difficult to avoid. While these annoying bites may make you itch or cause...
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) uses technology and mobile medical devices to help health care providers monitor your well-being remotely between regular visits. The devices, which vary based on your condition, send health data to your providers, who use it to identify changes to your condition or alert your care team when...
Chronic diseases in America are on the rise. At least 60% of all U.S. adults have one chronic health condition, and about 40% have more than one chronic disease. This is big news, since chronic diseases are the leading causes of disability and death in the U.S. Fortunately, chronic care management (CCM) offers a...
If you’re one of the millions of Americans struggling with their weight, you’ve heard that a healthy diet and regular exercise are key to sustained weight loss. But which of these two healthy habits is most important for shedding pounds? At Prima Medicine, we hear this question from many patients at our Fairfax...
Do you have a loved one struggling with forgetfulness or memory loss? Are you worried their symptoms are a sign of a more serious cognitive condition? If so, you know how difficult memory loss can be — for you and your loved one. At Prima Medicine in Fairfax and South...
If you’re carrying excess weight, you’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly three-quarters of American adults are overweight, and about 43% of those are obese. Unfortunately, being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing many serious health conditions, including multiple forms of heart...
Did you know that arthritis impacts more than 50 million American adults, making it the leading cause of disability in the United States? Joint pain and inflammation, which can make carrying out even simple daily tasks a challenge, characterize this degenerative disease. At Prima Medicine, with offices in Fairfax and...
If you’re struggling with a mood disorder, you’re not alone. At least one in five American adults has a diagnosed behavioral health condition, and many more may suffer without an official diagnosis. At Prima Medicine in Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia, our experienced care team offers compassionate guidance on many...
The new year is just around the corner, making this the perfect time to give yourself the gift of a healthy weight. But, losing extra pounds can be very difficult, especially if you go it alone. In fact, although about half of American adults report trying to lose weight each...
If you’re one of the 35 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, you already know the disease affects your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. And you probably know that issues with your kidneys can result. But many people don’t know about other serious health conditions that uncontrolled diabetes can cause....
Did you know about 35 million Americans have diabetes? That’s 11% of the men, women, and children in our country! What’s more? An additional 88 million adults have prediabetes. Left untreated, prediabetes can become Type 2 diabetes, a disease that stops your body from managing blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes...
It may be hard to believe, but almost half of all American adults have chronic high blood pressure. This condition, called hypertension, can lead to serious complications, including death, if left untreated. Doctors often refer to chronic high blood as a “silent killer,” because it doesn’t usually have any obvious...
If you’re like most Americans, you have many obligations competing for your attention. When things get busy, it can be easy to let routine appointments and commitments slide. But prevention is the best medicine when it comes to your health, which means making sure you make — and keep —...
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects more than 18 million Americans. But many people don’t realize they have sleep apnea until someone they live with complains about the loud snoring or strange breathing they have while they sleep. Unfortunately, untreated sleep apnea can be dangerous to your...
Along with the excitement of learning about a new culture, finding work, and getting housing, immigrating to the United States as either a new citizen or with a visa also involves completing your entry medical exam, or immigration physical. At Prima Medicine in Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia, our providers...
Did you know that every 40 seconds, someone in America suffers from a heart attack? In fact, heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. Heart disease is sometimes called a “silent killer,” because it doesn’t present symptoms until a cardiac event strikes. Heart attacks...
The urge to urinate frequently, pain and burning when you try to go — the symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) are never pleasant. Fortunately, the condition is highly treatable. At Prima Medicine, with locations in Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia, our health experts provide fast and effective treatments...
Did you know that more than one-third of American adults have prediabetes, putting them at high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. If you’ve been told you have high blood sugar or are prediabetic, there are steps you can take to turn your health around. At Prima Medicine, with locations...
Did you know that about 20% of American adults deal with episodes of acid reflux at least twice a week? Occasional instances of acid reflux can be normal, but chronic acid reflux can impact your life in negative ways, from worrying about when and what you eat to the pain...
An estimated 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. This troublesome disorder, which causes a person to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep, can lead to serious — even life-threatening — complications. At Prima Medicine, with locations in Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia, our sleep experts are committed to helping patients...
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...
Telemedicine — or telehealth — is a popular method that uses safe and secure systems to provide high-quality medical care to patients right from their home. But not every medical interaction is ideal for virtual medical care. Sometimes, a physical exam is needed to make the right health care decisions...
With November’s arrival, it’s official: We’re now in the heart of the cold and flu season. About 10-50 million Americans get the flu each year, and with the COVID-19 global pandemic, it’s more important than ever to stay healthy and strong. At Prima Medicine, our providers want to help you...
Autumn is officially here, and along with pumpkins, changing leaves, and cooler temperatures, it’s also enrollment season for health insurance. Open enrollment is a time to renew, change, or enroll in an insurance plan. At Prima Medicine, we understand how challenging it can be to select the right plan for...
Do you suffer from recurring bouts of constipation? Our caring providers at Prima Medicine in Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia, want to help you find relief from the discomfort and pain that chronic constipation can bring. If you’re struggling to move your bowels and pass stools, it’s important to seek...
Did you know that both indigestion and stomach ulcers have many of the same symptoms? If you’re suffering from chronic pain and bloating, it could be difficult to know what’s causing your discomfort. Because telling the difference between the two can be difficult, it’s important to schedule an appointment with...
If you or a loved one is experiencing memory loss, you know firsthand the psychological and emotional distress it can cause. What’s more? With so many aging adults struggling with memory, it can be hard to know what’s normal and what’s not. More than 50 million people worldwide currently suffer...
You probably know that snoring is an often-cited symptom of sleep apnea. But did you know there are other less obvious symptoms of this widespread disorder? About 18 million Americans struggle with sleep apnea, and if not treated, this troublesome condition can cause serious and potentially life-threatening complications. At Prima...
Are you feeling more tired than normal lately, or is maintaining your weight seeming to be a struggle? Problems with your thyroid could be the cause. Approximately 20 million Americans battle thyroid problems, and the American Thyroid Association estimates many more — about 60% of Americans — are unaware of...
It can be nerve-wracking to know there’s a new kind of bug going around, and we’re not exactly sure how it’s spread. Every sneeze, tickle in the throat, or muscle ache can make you wonder, “Do I have coronavirus?” The medical teams at Prima Medicine, with locations in Washington, D.C.,...
Did you know that stomach ulcers ― also called peptic ulcers ― affect at least 1 in 10 Americans over the course of their lives? And while stomach ulcers can be treated easily when caught early, lack of medical care can lead to serious complications. Understanding the signs of stomach...
Not all chest pain indicates a serious medical problem. For example, you might experience chest pain due to indigestion or a strained muscle. But, if your chest pain is related to your heart, it could indicate a serious condition. At Prima Medicine, in Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia, our care...
We hear the term, ‘self-care’ thrown around all the time, but what does it mean? Some people use the term to describe taking time out to relax, away from the places and things that stress you out. Our team at Prima Medicine in Fairfax and South Riding, VA is always...
Millions of Americans are living with arthritis. This inflammatory condition causes pain and can limit mobility. When you think of arthritis, older adults likely come to mind, and it’s true, age is a major risk factor for developing arthritis. However, a number of other factors put you at risk for...
It’s official: the CDC says that nearly one-tenth of Americans have diabetes, and an additional third have prediabetes — meaning that if they don’t get treatment, they could develop Type 2 diabetes in the next five years. Even worse are the numbers surrounding obesity: nearly a third of adults in...
Heart disease accounts for almost as many deaths of American women as it does for men -- but only around half of women recognize their risk of death from heart disease. Women often have different symptoms of heart problems than men, and their risk rises after menopause and with advanced...
Here at Prima Medicine, we’re proud to announce the recruitment of Harneet Rikki Kohli, MD to our medical team. Dr. Kohli joins us as the second internal medicine specialist on staff at our two locations: Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia. We’re beyond thrilled to have Dr. Kohli as part of...
You’re not alone if you’re emotionally or psychologically challenged by everyday life. In any given year, one in five American adults experiences a behavioral health illness. Behavioral health refers to your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Behavioral health illnesses include disorders that result in abnormal thoughts, feelings, actions, and interactions...
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious condition that affects millions of Americans, an estimated 1 in 3 adults, many of whom don’t even know they have it. The lack of symptoms are why high blood pressure is called the silent killer in the medical community, but knowing the...
Angina is a type of chest pain that occurs as a result of weakened blood flow to your heart. It should be taken quite seriously, as it’s a symptom of coronary heart disease, which often leads to heart attacks. Because medicine often overlooks how disease symptoms present differently in women...
After binging on spicy pizza or greasy onion rings, anyone can suffer from occasional indigestion resulting in acid reflux. That’s the uncomfortable — sometimes painful — condition when your stomach acid, and even food, creep back up into your esophagus. But if you get hit with heartburn a couple times...
While scare tactics aren’t great conversation starters, it’s a fact that more than 84 million adults in the United States are on the brink of developing diabetes, which is a systemic and chronic condition that casts a wide net over your health and wellness. If you fall into this large...