During the fall, all students are required to have an annual school/sports physical prior to enrollment or attendance. Our physicians and nurse practitioners are available to see students who need to fulfill this requirement. We offer a complete physical and Tuberculosis screening as well. If it is also time for the student’s Tetanus shot, we provide that service as well.
Some employers require new employees to have a complete physical exam prior to starting their new job. The employer usually provides a form so please be sure to inquire with your employer if you need to bring one to your visit.
Immunizations
Access Health Center offers adult immunizations or screening for the following: Hepatitis B, Tetanus, and TB.
Access Health Center is also a participating provider in the Vaccines for Children Program through the Illinois Department of Public Health. This program provides vaccines at no charge to children and adolescents who qualify.
A patient MUST be 0-18 years of age and meet at least one of the following criteria in order to qualify for the program:
Medicaid enrolled
Uninsured
Native Indian/Alaskan Native
Person with health insurance that does not cover immunizations
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance produced by the liver. It is found in products such as meats, eggs, dairy products, fish and poultry. High Cholesterol is serious because it can build up and clog the arteries. People with high levels of cholesterol are at a greater risk of developing heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
Normal Cholesterol is less then 200 mg.dl
RISK FACTORS FOR HIGH CHOLESTEROL AND HEART DISEASE:
Obesity
Family history of heart disease before the age of 55
Being male
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Cigarette smoking
Blood vessel disease
Lack of exercise
Diet
Access Health Center offers Cholesterol and Diabetes screening.
Test results in just 15 minutes!!!
Respiratory Problems
Access Health Center offers consultation, testing and treatment for Asthma, Bronchitis, Pneumonia and other Upper Respiratory Infections.
Diabetes Screening & Management
Access Health Center offers Cholesterol and Diabetes screening.
Test result in just 15 minutes!!!
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
The heart serves as the pump, when it beats it pushes blood through the body. Blood pressure is the amount of force on the walls of the blood vessels when the heart pumps blood through the body.
Normal Blood Pressure is 120/80
The top number is the Systolic Blood Pressure that measures the force when your heart beats to pump blood through the vessels.
The bottom number is the Diastolic Blood Pressure, which measures the pressure on your blood vessels when the heart is resting between beats.
SOME FACTS ON HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Hypertension is another term for high blood pressure. It is not caused by being nervous.
Untreated high blood pressure is the leading cause of strokes, heart disease, and kidney disease.
High blood pressure affects twice as many African-Americans as Caucasians.
High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured.
Thyroid Problems
Hypothyroidism means that the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, which regulates the way the body uses energy.
Symptoms include:
Coarse and thinning hair
Dry skin
Slow body movements
Inability to tolerate cold temperatures
Feeling tired or weak
Memory problems
Depression
Difficulty concentrating
Brittle nails
Constipation
Heavy and/or irregular menstrual periods
Weight gain
Risk factors for Hypothyroidism:
Age
Sex
Family history
Previous thyroid problems
Diabetes
Iodine deficiency
Certain medications
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism develops when the thyroid gland produces too much hormone, which regulates your metabolism as well as influences your body processes such as heart rate, digestion, muscle and bone strength, and cholesterol levels.
Symptoms include:
Mood changes
Weakness
Nervousness
A rapid, pounding, and irregular heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Excessive sweating
Hair loss
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Risk factors:
Female Gender
Family history
Smoking
Weight Loss
Obesity is continuously on the rise in the United States and our physicians and nurse practitioners are dedicated to promoting good health, exercise, and healthy eating habits. Call Access Health Center today to schedule a consultation with one of our physicians or nurse practitioners regarding starting a weight loss program or exercise program.
Smoking Cessation
What will it take to quit smoking? Millions of Americans are addicted to smoking and many want to quit smoking but don’t know how or where to start. Smoking can cause many respiratory problems like emphysema and can exacerbate existing conditions like asthma or bronchitis. Its effects on a healthy pair of lungs can be seen by the ever-increasing number of people diagnosed with lung cancer. Call to schedule a consultation with one of our physicians or nurse practitioners to discuss how you may begin your journey to a smoke-free lifestyle.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition where there is a deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a red, iron-rich protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Oxygen provides the energy the body needs for all of its normal activities. When the number of red blood cells falls below normal, the body does not receive the necessary amount of oxygen to function and fatigue is the end result. Other symptoms of anemia are:
Extreme fatigue
Weakness
Shortness of Breath
Confusion or loss of concentration
Dizziness or fainting
Rapid heartbeat
Allergies
Seasonal allergies affect millions of Americans every year and cause many symptoms like sneezing, coughing, itchy throat and nose, sinus pressure and congestion, runny nose, and red, itchy, watery eyes. Fortunately, there are many different medications that can be prescribed to help alleviate some or all of those symptoms.
Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a relatively common disease of the joints. Arthritis occurs when the membranes or the tissues lining the joints become inflamed. As time passes, the inflammation can destroy joint tissue, which may lead to disability. Arthritis affects twice as many women as it does men. Symptoms of arthritis are: pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joints of the hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, knees, or neck. Early diagnosis and treatment can control the disease or prevent arthritis from getting worse. It may also reduce the chance that you will suffer permanent disability.
Headaches/Migraines
Recurrent headaches and migraines disrupt the daily activity of millions of people every year. Most often, people choose over-the-counter (OTC) remedies that usually work extremely well. However, sometimes OTC medications do not work and if, in fact, you are one of those people who suffer from recurrent headaches or migraines where OTC medications don’t help, you may need to be evaluated by a physician or practitioner. Not only are there prescription medications that can alleviate the severity of these headaches and migraines, but sometimes headaches and migraines can be a symptom of some other underlying condition or disease like sinusitis or even stroke. Thus, it is important for headache and migraine sufferers to be evaluated to be sure there are not any other causes that may need to be addressed immediately.
