More and more families are choosing to have a family practitioner as their family health care provider.

Who are family practitioners? They are doctors who, following medical school, complete a three-year residency where they are trained to care for  patient populations that range from infants to the elderly in a variety of different medical areas. For instance, family practitioners are trained in bone and joint care; ear, nose and throat care; chronic conditions; emergency care and minor surgeries; behavioral and mental health; and eye care.

One of the primary responsibilities of family practitioners is to maintain their patients’ overall health. They often see their patients over the course of many years, unlike emergency doctors or surgeons who treat individuals for short periods of time. Because of this, general practitioners can build a lasting relationship with their patients and have a better understanding of their medical needs.

According to familydoctor.org, primary care physicians lower health care costs and death rates among their patients who regularly see them for preventive care and illnesses. Family practitioners, for example, can provide their patients with personal treatment plans and determine disease risk factors according to their medical histories. Also, for many individuals, family doctors are the first point of contact when they are ill. So family doctors can assess and treat most illness like respiratory infections, accidents like broken bones or diseases like asthma.

Family practitioners’ work environment can vary according to their geographic location and the size of the office. For example, family practice doctors can work in small and large cities or practice in rural areas. If they practice in the latter location, they might be the only family practitioner to treat all of the residents in a particular area. Also, family doctors can own their own practices, work at a large practice, in clinics or for government agencies.

Although family practitioners are trained to treat a broad range of medical problems, there are situations and conditions that they will not be able to treat. In these instances, it is the responsibility of the family practitioner to refer the patient to a specialist who can address the specific problem or condition.

This message is for all the women who put family first, often at the expense of their own health.

This message comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, from Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.

Women often put the needs of their family first.  As a result, their own health can take a back seat. Women can do some things to promote healthy habits for themselves and for their family.

Dr. Nancy Lee is the director of the HHS Office on Women’s Health.

“We want women to get active, eat healthy foods, pay attention to their mental health, schedule regular checkups, and avoid unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and not wearing a seat belt.”

Regular checkups are vital to the early detection of diseases. For instance, it’s important to have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly, and get the right screenings and vaccinations.

“By making their own health a priority and modeling healthy behaviors, women can lead by example.”

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

P.S. Be sure to include a yearly visit to the GYN for an exam including a PAP, a comprehensive breast exam, and if, you are 40, get a referral for your annual mammogram.

womenshealth.gov, a project of  the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, recently published the following tips written by Health Day News.

Tips on What Can Cause Muscle Cramps

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says although the exact causes of muscle cramps aren’t known, the following conditions are thought to increase your risk:

• Having tight muscles that haven’t been stretched.
• Having poorly conditioned muscles that become easily fatigued.
• Overusing your muscles.
• Exerting yourself in extreme heat.
• Being dehydrated.
• Having low levels of essential minerals and salt, including potassium.

Tips on Avoiding Hurting Yourself While Gardening

The American Council on Exercise suggests how to garden without hurting yourself:

• Use correct posture and form.
• Warm up before you garden with a 10-minute walk.
• Make sure all of your movements are smooth and steady.
• Keep your abdominal muscles taut.
• Lift with your legs (never your back).
• Don’t twist your back while digging.
• Breathe regularly. Exhale when you lift, and inhale as you lower a heavy load.