FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Family medicine is treating symptoms and diseases in individuals from birth to old-age, commonly administered by a single provider. The benefit of visiting a family doctor is the personal care that is received by patients. When a doctor has the opportunity to examine an entire family they’re able to gather much more in-depth information about potential health risks and concerns of each individual. At larger practices, a patient is not guaranteed to see the same doctor for each visit, which may result in a lower quality patient outcome.

Osteopathic medicine is focused more on treating the patient as a whole through the use of modern medical practices complemented by non-invasive musculoskeletal manipulation. Osteopathic medicine differs from Allopathic in that it offers a complementary treatment option as opposed to merely eradicating symptoms through the use of prescription medicines. At Infinity Medical Clinic we always try to incorporate the most natural treatments available into the care our patients’ receive.

You have two basic options, 1) Contact your previous healthcare provider and request your records be transferred to Infinity Medical Clinic, or 2) Sign a Release of Information form with us and allow our office to collect the records on your behalf.

Give us a call! We’re always happy to see new patients; however, we want to make sure we can adequately treat you. Calling our office allows us to speak with patients and gain an understanding of their needs, make sure we work with their insurance, and address any questions they may have.

Colposcopy is a procedure performed for women who have had abnormal PAP smears or have genital skin lesions. Colposcopy is a way of looking at the cervix through a special magnifying device called a colposcope. It shines a light onto the cervix a physician is able to find problems that cannot be seen by the eye alone.

Patience is the key. You know your child well and are aware of the behavior they display when overly tired, hungry, haven’t gotten enough sleep, or anything in between. The reactions you may exhibit are completely reasonable, given the discomfort they may experience. You can give your child Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) to reduce the pain and fever, but do not give aspirin. If fussiness persists, arms or legs begin swelling, or other concerning side-effects become noticeable for more than 24 hours, please call us.

Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma and its caused by breathing in an allergen such as pet dander or dust mites, which causes an allergic reaction. When a person with allergic asthma experiences a reaction, their airway is constricted due to inflammation and swelling which makes it very difficult to breathe.

Whether you have allergic asthma or another type, the symptoms are wheezing and coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and waking up during the night. Further testing can confirm whether a patient is asthmatic. Give us a call to schedule your visit.

If you have allergy symptoms that are difficult to treat with over the counter meds or are present year round then allergy testing and immunotherapy may be recommended for you as a true lifelong treatment that is also very effective.

Yes we do. All types of acne and in all ages of patient’s. We also try to treat acne using the least amount of prescription medications and with cleaner products and products that have less side effects for the body. We also sell topical acne products that both treat and prevent acne.

HPV is the Human Papilloma Virus. This is a virus that is sexually transmitted and almost everyone comes into contact with it in they’re lifetime. Most people “clear” this virus and never even know that it was ever there. The percentage of women who do not “clear” the virus can develop cervical tissue changes that can lead to cervical cancer.

Because of this, the HPV vaccine is now recommended for females and males ages 9 to 30. Most people get this vaccine about the age of 11 or 12 and before they become sexually active to allow the vaccine to build antibodies to prevent problems caused by HPV. HPV testing is recommended in anyone 30 years of age or older as a co-test with pap smear testing or as a stand-alone test. Specific protocols have been developed that are proven to be the most effective testing depending on the age of the patient.

IUD’s are commonly used form of birth control because they are 99% effective, long-lasting, easily reversible, and for women of all ages. We have different sized IUD’s and IUD’s that last for different periods of time. IUD’s are safe, effective and many of them are not only used for birth control but also can be used between the ages of 40 and 50 to control the abnormal bleeding and symptoms of perimenopause. For more answers please call and schedule a consult.

The American Cancer Society, in 2015, revised its guidelines to begin annual mammograms when a woman turns 45 — with the option to start at age 40.

Women at the age of 21, start receiving a pelvic exam as part of their normal annual wellness check. After your first pelvic exam, your doctor will tell you when you need to come back. It’ll depend on your medical history and whether you have any health issues.

You may need more frequent pelvic exams if you have:

• a history of abnormal test results
• a history of sexual health problems
• a family history of certain kinds of cancer
• an STD or a partner with an infection
• recurrent vaginitis

If you think you might have an STD, another kind of infection (like a yeast infection), or any other issue with your reproductive health, let Dr. Stemmerman know at the beginning of your appointment.

At Infinity Medical Clinic, we are testing current hormone levels through a simple saliva test.

• Menopause – Menopause occurs beginning around the age of 45 when women’s ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
• Andropause – Andropause is the term doctor’s use to describe aging-related changes in male hormones. This is also commonly known as testosterone deficiency.
• Adrenal Fatigue – Adrenal Fatigue is used in regards to your adrenal glands being exhausted. When adrenal glands get tired, they are unable to produce adequate quantities of hormones, predominantly cortisol, usually due to chronic stress or infections.

We proudly offer physician-assisted weight loss to help those suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) reach their weight loss goals.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Symptoms

• Irregular periods or no periods at all
• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Excessive hair growth – usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks
• Weight gain
• Thinning hair and hair loss from the head
• Oily skin or acne

At some point in their life, around 30-50% of women will experience sexual problems.

Sexual dysfunction can cause specific problems such as:

• Lack of interest or desire
• Difficulty becoming aroused
• Difficulty reaching orgasm
• Pain during sexual activity
• Persistent/unwanted physical arousal

Is an IUD the right type of IUD for you? We eliminate the confusion and help you pick the IUD  that fits your lifestyle and needs the best.

Mirena – Mirena^® is a hormone-releasing IUD that is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy for as long as you want, for up to 5 years. Mirena can be used whether or not you have had a child. Mirena also treats heavy periods.

Kyleena -Kyleena®  is a hormone-releasing IUD that prevents pregnancy for up to 5 years. Kyleena is the smallest IUD and can be used whether or not you have had a child.

Skyla – Skyla® is an IUD that releases a low dose of hormones and is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy for up to 3 years. Skyla can be used whether or not you have given birth to a child.

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a common condition among adults. High blood pressure is when the long-term force of the blood against your artery is high enough that it may cause heart problems, such as heart disease.

Most cases of high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms. However, in some cases, you might have headaches, shortness of breath, or even nosebleeds. These symptoms usually don’t occur until your high blood pressure has reached a severe stage. 

Hyperlipidemia is a condition where there are high levels of fat in the blood. Having high levels of fat in the blood can cause an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Hyperlipidemia does not cause symptoms and is usually found in routine blood tests. Treatments for this can include medications, a healthy diet, and also exercise. 

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin on its own. This type of diabetes normally appears in adolescence. Common symptoms to look for include increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision.  Type 1 diabetes is commonly treated by aiming to maintain normal blood sugar through insulin, therapy, diet and exercise. 

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where the body does not produce enough insulin or resists insulin. Common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, and in some cases no symptoms at all. Treatments for Type 2 include diet, exercise, medication, and insulin therapy. 

Cervical cancer is cancer that is found in the lowermost part of the uterus, the cervix. Cervical cancer can be preventable by regular PAP smear screenings and even the HPV vaccine. In most cases, there are no symptoms. However, some women may notice irregular bleeding or pain. Treatments for cervical cancer include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. 

While Breast Cancer can not be fully prevented, there are certain you can do to try and lower your risk.

• Keep at a healthy weight and be sure to exercise regularly.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Talk with your doctor about risks that can be associate with hormone replacement therapy and or birth control pills.
• Breastfeeding your children, if possible.

While not everyone has the same symptoms or any symptoms at all, here are a few common things to look for:

• A change in size or shape of your breast.
• Pain in the area around or on your breast.
• Discharge from your nipples (not breastmilk). This can sometimes include blood.
• A new lump in your breast or underarm.

If you have any signs or things that are worrying you, call Infinity Medical Clinic today.