Patient Education Library | Primary Care Solutions

We invite you to explore our comprehensive list of resources and educational materials designed to help educate you about the various internal medicine conditions treated by this practice. Choose a topic below to learn more.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your condition or treatment, please feel free to contact Primary Care Solutions in Los Angeles and Van Nuys, California at (323) 225-2550 (LA) or (818) 988- 5999 (Van Nuys). To request an appointment, use our secure online appointment request form.

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation, examination, or the medical advice of your doctor. This information should not be relied upon to determine a diagnosis or course of treatment.

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Did You Know?

There are 13 areas of internal medicine, generally organized by the human organ system. Subspecialty training requires an additional one to three years beyond the standard three-year general internal medicine residency.

Arthritis
Arthritis is a common disease that causes joint pain, stiffness, immobility, and swelling. Arthritis is actually a term for a group of over 100 diseases that affect the muscle and skeletal system, particularly the joints. Arthritis alters the cartilage in ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentSurgeryRecoveryPrevention
Common Cold
Colds are a very common medical condition. There are over two hundred viruses that can cause the common cold. The viruses are easily transmitted from person to person. Coughing, sneezing, a sore throat, and a runny nose are typical cold ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications
Diabetes - Type 1
Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, a sugar that is used as a source of fuel for the body. Normally, the hormone insulin helps glucose enter the cells where it is used for energy. People ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplicationsAdvancements
Electrocardiogram - ECG
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is useful for identifying if the heart is beating normally. It may be used for people with chest pain, heart palpitations, or suspected heart disease. An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart. It ... Read More

Introduction
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and tender points on muscles. Although the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, there appear to be several factors that may contribute to it. In addition to lifestyle changes and physical ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentAm I at Risk
Flu and Flu Shots
The flu is a respiratory disease that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. The influenza virus type A, B, or C causes it. The flu is very contagious. Symptoms include fever, chills, body aches, cough, and a lack of energy. ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplicationsAdvancements
Heart Disease
Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, is a common problem in the United States. It occurs when the heart and blood vessels do not function properly. The most common cause is narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplicationsAdvancements
Hepatitis B and C
Hepatitis means that the liver is inflamed. Liver inflammation can occur for several reasons, and there are different types of hepatitis. Hepatitis B and C result from viral infections. Hepatitis B and C are transmitted from an infected person to ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications
High Blood Pressure - Hypertension (HTN)
High blood pressure, or hypertension (HTN), is a common condition in the United States. High blood pressure is termed a “silent killer” because it usually does not have symptoms but can cause significant cardiovascular and organ damage. The only way to know ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplicationsAdvancements
High Cholesterol - Dyslipidemia
High cholesterol occurs when there is too much or an unhealthy balance of cholesterol in the blood. Your body needs some cholesterol for healthy functioning but too much is dangerous to your health. High cholesterol has no symptoms. The only ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplicationsAdvancements
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition that most often occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Your thyroid gland is located at the front of your neck. Thyroid hormones regulate your body metabolism. Metabolism refers to all of ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications
Migraine Headache
Migraine headache pain can be severe and accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to odors, light and sound. If untreated, migraine symptoms can be so severe that people need to lie down for a few hours or days. Although there ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplicationsAdvancements

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease. It causes progressive bone loss and increases the risk of fractures. Osteoporosis is more common in women than men, and the incidence increases with age. Bone loss from osteoporosis can lead to fractures ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplicationsAdvancements
Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Females
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections that are spread by sexual activity. Females, youths, and people of minority groups have the highest incidence of sexually transmitted diseases. Sexually transmitted diseases may or may not produce symptoms, ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplicationsAdvancements
Shingles
Shingles are a painful rash that develops in nearly 1 in 3 Americans. The risk of developing shingles increases with age. More than half of all shingles cases occur in people over the age of 60, although children can develop ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a common and under-diagnosed sleep disorder. It causes repeated episodes of stopped breathing (apneic episodes) and startling or gasping for air during sleep. People with sleep apnea frequently do not realize that they have it. The consequences ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplicationsAdvancements
Sore Throat
Sore throats (pharyngitis) are a very common medical condition. Sore throats are most frequently caused by viral infections. The majority of sore throats heal on their own. The symptoms may be relieved with home treatments and over-the-counter medications. Sore throats that ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications
Sprains & Strains
Sprains and strains are common injuries that can happen to anyone, but occur most frequently in people who participate in sports, perform repetitive activities, or are at-risk for falls. Sprains involve the tissues that connect bones together (ligaments). Strains involve ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentAm I at RiskComplications
Strep Throat
Strep throat is a common type of sore throat. The germ that causes strep throat is spread from person to person in saliva and nasal secretions. Strep throat is treated with antibiotics. You can help prevent the spread of strep ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications
Ulcers
A Peptic Ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. An ulcer is caused by an imbalance between the acids and enzymes that break down food in the upper gastrointestinal ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications
Urinary Tract Infection - Bladder Infection
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a common condition. Most UTIs result from infection caused by bacteria that enters the urinary tract system. UTIs can be quite uncomfortable and lead to problems with urination. Fortunately, most UTIs respond well to prescription ... Read More

IntroductionAnatomyCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionAm I at RiskComplications
Weight Management
Weighing too much or too little can be a problem. In the United States, weighing too much is the more common situation. It can be unhealthy to be underweight or overweight. Of growing concern, many Americans are becoming obese, which ... Read More

Introduction

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Welcome to the Patient Education Library of Primary Care Solutions

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