831806f1

The Importance of Regular Health Screenings

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:56:16 GMT

Staying healthy isn’t just about how you feel today; it’s about preventing problems before they start. That’s where health screenings come in. These routine evaluations are designed to catch potential health issues early, often before symptoms even appear. When combined with guidance from a general physician, they become a powerful tool for maintaining long-term wellness.

What Are Health Screenings?

Health screenings are preventive tests or exams that assess your overall health and identify risk factors for certain conditions. They can include blood pressure checks, cholesterol testing, diabetes screening, and other evaluations based on your age, lifestyle, and medical history.

When you visit a family practice, your provider looks at the bigger picture. A general physician doesn’t just run tests—they interpret results, track changes over time, and help you understand what those numbers mean for your health. This personalized approach ensures that your care is tailored to your specific needs.

Why Early Detection Matters

One of the biggest benefits of regular health screenings is early detection. Many serious conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, can develop silently. Without routine checkups, these issues may go unnoticed until they become more advanced and harder to manage.

By identifying potential concerns early, you have more options for treatment and prevention. Small lifestyle changes, medication when necessary, and ongoing monitoring can make a significant difference in your long-term health outcomes. Working with a general physician at a trusted family practice helps ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.

Staying Proactive About Your Health

Health isn’t something you should only think about when something feels wrong. Regular health screenings allow you to take a proactive approach, giving you a clear understanding of where you stand and what steps you can take to improve or maintain your well-being.

Consistency is key. Visiting the same family practice over time builds a relationship with your provider, making it easier to track trends and notice subtle changes. Your general physician becomes familiar with your history, which leads to more accurate recommendations and better overall care.

Take the Next Step with Lakeshore Primary Care Associates

At Lakeshore Primary Care Associates, we believe preventive care is the foundation of lifelong health. Our team offers comprehensive health screenings designed to detect potential issues early and keep you on track. As a dedicated family practice serving Buffalo, Eden, Hamburg, Lake View, Orchard Park, West Seneca, NY, and beyond, we focus on building lasting relationships with our patients and providing personalized care through every stage of life.

If it’s been a while since your last checkup or you’re ready to take a more proactive approach to your health, we’re here to help. Contact one of our offices today to schedule your health screenings and connect with a general physician who is committed to your well-being.

Keeping Your Kids Healthy This Cold & Flu Season

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 19:57:18 GMT

Keeping Your Kids Healthy This 2024 Cold & Flu Season

As we enter the 2024 cold and flu season, protecting your kids from seasonal illnesses is a top priority. At Lakeshore Primary Care Associates, we understand the importance of keeping your family healthy through proactive steps. With locations in Hamburg and Depew, NY, our family practice is here to offer tips on minimizing the risk of cold and flu for your children and family.

1. Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations

One of the best defenses against flu is getting the annual flu shot, recommended for everyone six months and older. The flu vaccine helps reduce the severity of symptoms and prevents complications if your child does contract the flu. Staying current with COVID-19 vaccinations is also important, as respiratory viruses can spread quickly in schools and other group settings. Schedule an appointment with a general physician at Lakeshore Primary Care Associates to get your family vaccinated.

2. Practice Good Hand Hygiene

Handwashing is a simple but effective way to prevent the spread of germs. Teach your kids to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after sneezing, coughing, or touching surfaces in public places. Carrying hand sanitizer can also be helpful for situations where washing isn’t possible.

3. Encourage Healthy Sleep Habits

Adequate sleep is essential for a strong immune system. School-aged children need 9-11 hours of sleep per night, while teens should aim for 8-10 hours. Establish a bedtime routine to help your children get consistent, quality sleep, which supports their bodies’ natural ability to fight off illness.

4. Keep a Nutritious Diet

A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins helps keep the immune system functioning well. Foods high in vitamins C and D, such as citrus fruits, leafy greens, and fortified dairy, can give an added boost. Consider adding yogurt or other probiotic-rich foods, as these can support gut health, which plays a role in immunity.

5. Teach Respiratory Hygiene

Teach your kids to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing. This “cough etiquette” helps limit the spread of airborne germs, protecting others in the household and community. Remind them not to touch their face, as this can transfer germs from their hands to their eyes, nose, or mouth.

6. Keep Your Home Clean

Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, and electronic devices to reduce germs in your home. Make disinfecting wipes accessible to family members for easy daily cleaning.

7. Know When to Keep Kids Home

If your child is showing symptoms like fever, cough, or sore throat, keep them home from school to prevent spreading illness to others. Rest and hydration are essential for recovery, and reducing exposure helps keep the rest of the family and community healthy.

Schedule Your Family’s Appointment at Lakeshore Primary Care Associates

Taking proactive steps now can make a big difference in keeping your kids healthy this cold and flu season. Lakeshore Primary Care Associates in Hamburg and Depew, NY, is here to support your family’s health with up-to-date guidance and preventive care. Call our Hamburg office at (716) 646-1084 or our Depew office at (716) 683-4196 to schedule an appointment with a general physician and give your family the best defense against seasonal illness.

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

Wed, 01 May 2024 13:14:55 GMT

Mental Health Awareness Month.
The month of May is focused on raising awareness for mental health.

Mental Health Affects Everyone.

Mental Health is an increasingly important and prevalent topic amongst medical communities and the general public. For a long time, there has been a great deal of stigma surrounding mental health issues. While this hasn’t been completely irradicated, as time goes on, we are making strides towards completely normalizing these conversations and issues.

Mental health affects each of us in various ways. There are no boundaries for demographics when it comes to maintaining a healthy relationship with your mental health. Even if you may not feel as though you’re experiencing any issues regarding your mental health, someone you love might be.

It has been recorded that around 57.8 million adult aged Americans are living with at least one mental illness diagnosis. There are various types of mental illness that range in severity, and commonality, but each of them is entirely valid.

About 31.1% of adults in the United States will, or have had, an experience with some kind of anxiety disorder in their lives. This number could be higher because so many Americans still treat mental illness/health as a secret. If you’re experiencing any kind of mental health crisis it’s important to know that you are not alone.

Reach Out for Help.

It’s important to acknowledge your mental health and address any concerns you may have. If you feel as though you might benefit from a discussion with your doctor regarding your mental health don’t be afraid to do so. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

There are a variety of treatment options, but the best way to start is by speaking to your doctor.

There are also several hotlines that you could call if you ever need help urgently.

Mental Health Emergency Hotline: 988
Teen & Young Adult Helpline: 1 (800) 950-6264
National Alliance on Mental Illness 1 (800) 950-NAMI

For other resources visit: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call. Text. Chat. (988lifeline.org)

*All the information found in this article can be found on the National Institute of Mental Health website. More information on mental health and mental illness can also be found on their website: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) - Transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses (nih.gov)

Learn About Becoming an Organ Donor

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 20:03:34 GMT

April is dedicated to those who have, or will, save lives by becoming an organ donor.

What are the facts?

In the United States alone there are over 100,000 people waiting for a lifesaving organ, eye, or tissue donation. This number increases every eight minutes, as at least one person joins the list on average within minutes of the last. We’ve made, and continue to make, amazing strides towards the progression of organ donation (OPTN 2022).

In September of 2022 the US hit a major milestone by successfully performing one million transplants since the time of the first successful kidney transplant in 1954. Since then, the number of organ transplants continues to increase on a yearly basis. In fact, as of 2023 medical professionals have hit a 13-year streak of an increase in transplants performed due to the donation of deceased donors. There was a total of 46, 632 transplants in the United Stated from both living and deceased donors; 39,679 of these were from the deceased who turned tragedy into a heroic action. The other 6,953 donations were from living donors which is the highest this number has been since 2019 (OPTN 2023).

Did you know?

The sad fact is that 16 people on the national transplant list die per day waiting for an organ, eye, or tissue donation. But there is some hope. One organ donor can save eight different lives, or at least offer a way to improve someone’s life. It takes only one person donating their corneas to help two people restore their sight, and one tissue donor can help heal 75 people (Donate Life America).

What can you do?

The next time you go to your doctor’s office ask your doctor about becoming an organ donor, so that you can help save lives too. Or visit the the Donate Life Website to find out more.

*The links below contain the sources of the information used in this article.

United States reaches milestone of one million organ transplants - OPTN (hrsa.gov)

Continued increase in organ donation drives new records in 2023; New milestones exceeded - OPTN (hrsa.gov)

Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation Statistics - Donate Life America

Why You Should Consider Getting the Flu Shot

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 05:39:54 GMT

The Benefits of Receiving the Seasonal Flu Shot

When the weather starts to cool down and fall and winter approach, flu season begins. Yes, it is time that we enjoy hot cocoa, sledding, and Christmas gifts, but it is also the time of year that people most frequently get sick. The flu is one of the most common illnesses that people get during the winter months. The symptoms that one may experience from the flu include fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headaches, and sore throat. Symptoms can last from several days to over two weeks.

We always recommend that you receive your seasonal flu shot to help you experience milder symptoms. That is because the vaccine uses weakened or dead flu viruses which helps your body to build antibodies to the flu. So, when it encounters a fully strengthened flu virus, it is better prepared to deal with it. Additionally, the strains of flu are always changing from year to year. The annual vaccine helps your body have the antibodies to deal with the current strain of the flu virus that is active.

Contact Our General Physician Today to Get Your Flu Vaccine!

At Lakeshore Primary Care Associates, we provide vaccinations to our patients in the Hamburg, NY area. The flu vaccine is an important annual vaccine to get because it helps your body be prepared for this year’s strain. If you do get exposed to the flu, having the vaccine will help you have milder symptoms that do not last as long. Flu shots are covered by health insurance at no cost to you too. Contact us today to schedule your flu shot appointment!

How Often Should You Visit Your Primary Care Doctor?

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 05:41:50 GMT

When You Should See Your General Physician

Continuously scheduling and going to doctor’s appointments for wellness exams with your general physician is key to your overall health. Primary care doctors do not specialize in any area, but they have a wealth of knowledge about the body as a whole. They can diagnose and treat many illnesses and conditions. For diseases and conditions that they are unable to treat themselves, they can refer you to specialists in that area of healthcare.

Your wellness exams are a time for your doctor to check your overall health. They will check things such as your weight, height, and eyesight, and run diagnostic tests for illness. Your general physician will give you advice on how to improve different areas of your health, refer you to any necessary specialists, and give you the immunizations that you want/need. So, how often should you see them? For people under the age of 50, you should see your primary care physician at least once a year. If you are 50 or older, you should schedule a doctor’s appointment twice a year. These are not set in stone but serve as general guidelines for how often you should visit your doctor.

Schedule Your Wellness Exam Today!

At Lakeshore Primary Care Associates, we provide primary care services to the Hamburg, NY area. An essential part of becoming and staying healthy is visiting your general physician. They provide you the non-emergency and basic healthcare services that you need. You should be regularly scheduling wellness exams with them to keep track of your health and catch any early indications of potential concerns. If you need to schedule your wellness exam, contact us today! Our general physician can schedule an appointment that is convenient for you.

Why is Family Medicine Important?

Wed, 24 May 2023 05:45:23 GMT

When it comes to healthcare, your family practitioner should be your go-to provider for all your medical complaints. Whether they’re able to properly diagnose the issue or help you coordinate with a specialist, having a general physician is crucial to staying healthy. Check out the following section to learn more about why family medicine is important.

Handle Patients of All Ages & Genders

Family practitioners have all of the proper experience and skills to handle patients of all ages and genders. They’re able to diagnose and treat a range of health conditions. No matter your stage of life, you will have peace of mind knowing that your general physician is here to help.

Educate Patients

While seeing the doctor is important, it’s also crucial to make sure you’re properly caring for your health at home. Family practitioners are able to educate patients on how to properly prevent, understand, and manage a range of medical issues. Whether you’re struggling with managing stress, losing weight, or having fertility issues, a general physician is there to answer any questions you may have about your health.

Recognize Signs of Underlying Conditions

The scope of family medicine has no limits, meaning that physicians are able to notice the early signs of an underlying condition. They can then order or perform specific tests to determine the cause of the symptoms. Depending on the test results, they may order additional testing or refer you to a specialist. No matter the case, your family practitioner will work with you each step of the way to find the root cause of your issues and properly treat them.

Go-To Physician

When it comes to everyday issues like allergies, the flu, bladder infections, and anything in between, a family practitioner is your go-to person. They can quickly assess your symptoms and provide any necessary prescriptions or additional testing.

Contact Our Family Practice to Learn More

If you’re looking for a general physician for yourself or a loved one, turn to Lakeshore Primary Care Associates. No matter your needs, our experienced family practice team is here to help. We strive to provide quality care for patients across Hamburg, Orchard Park, West Seneca, Eden, NY and the surrounding communities. Contact one of our locations to schedule a checkup with one of our providers.