Back in 2014, the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act was ordered by Florida legislators. With this law, certain doctors can recommend mild treatment using clinical cannabis to some patients – namely those living with terminal sickness or chronic pain. If you are interested in learning more about having a medical marijuana prescription in Clearwater, Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic is here to help.

Authorized Doctors Only

It is important to note that not all doctors in Florida are qualified to endorse the use of marijuana treatment for their qualified patients. There are fundamental educational requirements in place, and the specialist must have an unrestricted license to practice medicine in the state. They will also have to attend an instructional course and pass state exams to become an endorsing specialist.

Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic Can Help

If you have a qualifying condition, the medical team here at our offices can work on your evaluation to determine whether you make a good candidate for prescription marijuana. After the recommendation, the staff can assist further by helping you with the process of filling out all the paperwork to get your Florida medical card for marijuana.

Some of the many benefits of using prescription marijuana include the following:

• Reduce joint pain and inflammation
• Relieve chronic and acute pain
• Reduce anxiety
• Alleviate skin irritations and itching
• Helps with sleep and relaxation
• Reduces nausea

You may also wonder what constitutes a qualifying condition for medical marijuana use in Florida. Seasonal and permanent residents of the state can buy and use medicinal cannabis when they have one or more of the qualifying conditions:

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• PTSD
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Terminal diseases
• AIDS
• HIV
• Crohn’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma

Call Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic should you have concerns regarding getting a marijuana prescription in Clearwater or how it works – (727) 339-2054.

All of the information regarding Covid tests, vaccinations, boosters, and how to protect yourself is constantly changing. Here at Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic, we are always available to update you on the latest information and how you can ensure you are on top of everything. We can explain if you have questions regarding Covid antibody testing in Safety Harbor and whether you need it!

What Are Antibodies?

Antibodies play a crucial role in the immune system for your body’s natural defense. The antibodies you have protect you from harmful substances like bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders that could cause harm or sickness.

Your immune system detects antigens (proteins) on cell surfaces. Early on in life, the immune system learns how to identify our own body’s proteins on cell surfaces and ignores the antigens.

What Are Covid-19 Antibody Tests?

These are blood tests that look for the IgG antibody in the blood. This is the antibody that marks various pathogen cells for destruction. If you have been exposed to the virus that causes Covid-19, your body’s immune system will have produced the Covid-19 IgG antibodies.

It does take time for your body’s immune system to develop IgG antibodies, so you cannot have the test taken too early. Studies have shown that more than 90% of people diagnosed with Covid-19 produce the IgG antibody approximately 14 days from the beginning of the illness.

What Happens During the Test?

A blood sample gets retrieved from your arm just like a normal draw. After the sample gets taken, it is sent to a pathology lab for further testing. A positive antibody test shows you have either had or have been exposed to Covid-19, and your immune system now has the antibodies to respond to it.

Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic is here to discuss your questions regarding Covid antibody testing in Safety Harbor. Call us at (727) 339-2054.

There are some situations you encounter that are undoubtedly emergencies that call for a hospital visit. For example, severe injuries from a slip and fall, a car accident, or other sudden trauma mean a trip to the emergency room. However, there are other medical concerns that you can treat at a trusted walk-in clinic, such as our emergency walk-in clinic at Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic.

Walk-In Clinics, ER, and Urgent Care – What is the Difference?

Each facility will offer walk-in care, meaning you can get care without an appointment. ERs are located at hospitals with extensive medical equipment, staffing, and capabilities. However, due to this and the wait times, they should only be reserved for life-threatening, serious injuries or medical situations.

Urgent care facilities and walk-in clinics will often get referred to interchangeably, and both might offer similar services. However, a walk-in located in a retail pharmacy setting will have fewer medical offerings than an independent facility. Retail clinics are often staffed by a nurse or physician’s assistant and offer strep throat treatments, care for minor cuts, health screenings, and flu shots.

A full-scale walk-in or urgent care facility will have all the staffing and services necessary to handle blood testing, cardiology services, and much more.

When to Visit Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic

Our locations offer a broad assortment of medical testing services and treatments. While severe injury or emergencies call for a trip to the ER, we are happy to see you for a long list of options, including:

• Fever
• Sinus and ear infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Illnesses like flu and cold
• Diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Minor burns and cuts
• Pink eye
• Sprains
• and more

(727) 339-2054 is the number to call if you would like to reach Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic to learn about our emergency walk-in clinic services.

Patients around the Tampa area with a qualifying psychological or medical condition might benefit from seeing a marijuana doctor. To obtain medical cannabis legally, working with a health professional is required for evaluation before signing up for your medical marijuana card. Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic is here to help you with the eval and handling the steps to fill out your paperwork to get approval.

Do I Need A Marijuana Doctor?

Some patients in the area whose PCP might have the training and approvals from the state of FL to make recommendations for their patients to use medical marijuana. However, many medical specialists and PCPs are not yet approved for these recommendations. This is where visiting a specialized medical marijuana doctor becomes a top priority.

What Information Is Needed?

It is essential not to get discouraged when looking to go through the process of getting a medical marijuana cart. Scheduling an appointment at Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic will help get you in the right direction. We know all the qualifying conditions and will be happy to review everything you need to qualify for an MMJ card.

• You complete the application
• You submit medical records before your appointment
• The doctor reviews all the records to make a recommendation
• We then enter all your patient information into the Florida registry
• Patients get an email that includes a link if approved
• You then apply for the MMJ card, pay the fee, and get a temporary MMJ card in your email
• The physical MMJ card usually arrives via USPS in 7-10 business days

We want all patients to have answers to all the questions about medical marijuana and the process of receiving the card. Our trusted medical professionals and staff will review all your concerns, including legal questions, regarding using cannabis in conjunction with your medical treatment plan.

Call us at Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic at (727) 339-2054 to learn more about working with a marijuana doctor in Tampa.

Most people associate blood sugar testing with those diagnosed with diabetes. However, getting your blood sugars tested in Saint Petersburg is wise, even if you are not diabetic. Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic is here to help regardless of your reasons for testing.

Your Body and Blood Sugar Regulation

For someone without diabetes, the body naturally works to regulate sugar levels in the blood. Once you eat a meal, the body digests the foods into components that get absorbed into the gut and bloodstream. Carb-based foods like starches, fruit, and fair get broken down into mainly glucose. After high glucose levels get detected in the blood, the pancreas puts out insulin that helps the body trigger the response for absorbing the glucose from the blood. This lowers the levels to normal.

Should blood sugars be too low, insulin levels drop, and glycogen gets released. This leads the liver to seek out stored glycogen to turn it back into glucose and then put it out into the blood, helping the blood sugars return to normal.

If you have diabetes, regular blood sugar testing is crucial to keep your levels within normal range. Not only that, but testing before a meal helps show how consumed foods affect blood sugar levels.

Should you notice issues with your testing and monitoring at home, it is vital to seek help from trained medical professionals. Our Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic team is here to assist whenever you or someone in your household needs blood sugar testing. Whether you are dealing with high or low blood sugar, we can provide the testing and answers you need to get back on track and offer peace of mind.

Are you concerned about high or low blood sugar? Call Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic for blood sugar testing in Saint Petersburg at (727) 339-2054.

There are countless reasons why you may want to see medical attention for a diagnosis. Have you ever woken up to pain where it wasn’t before? Have you ever dealt with nagging aches for weeks on end without any signs of relief? If you’re in pain and feel like something is wrong, it’s time to head to a walk-in clinic in New Port Richey like Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic, where you can get pain relief and a proper illness diagnosis.

Some signs that you might need to visit a walk-in clinic include:

• Fever of 101 or above. Fevers are signs of your body fighting an infection. If your fever lasts for more than 48 hours, or if it ascends past 101, go to the doctor asap.
• Sore, achy muscles that are inexplicable and last for more than a week.
• Stuffy nose, a sore throat, and clogged ears last more than a week and won’t go away with over-the-counter medicines.
• Chronic lower back pain.
• A headache or migraine that lasts more than 72 hours.
• Constipation or diarrhea that doesn’t resolve within 72 hours.

How Often Should You Go to the Doctor for Checkups as Preventative Care?

It would help if you had annual checkups with a doctor. Once-a-year visits help to prevent serious illness with early detection.

What Are Some Ways You Can Stay Healthy Between Doctor’s Visits?

Proper hydration and good nutrition go a long way towards ensuring good health. Make sure you drink plenty of water, eat a mix of healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables, and exercise to keep your heart, mind, and body healthy.

When you need a reliable walk-in clinic in New Port Richey, Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic is an obvious choice. We have a full staff of doctors, nurses, and specialists, all with decades of combined experience and knowledge of various illnesses and ailments. While walk-ins are always welcome, we also accept appointments. Call us at (727) 339-2054.

If you are having signs or symptoms pointing to issues within your abdominal area, it could be one of many causes. However, an abdominal aortic aneurysm is one cause that can present in several ways, and it should never be ignored. Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic wants you to know if you or someone in your household has signs and symptoms, you can get abdominal aortic aneurysm testing and screening at our Seminole location.

What Is It?

Abdominal aortic aneurysms develop in the lower portion of the aorta, a major blood vessel that helps supply blood to the rest of the body. The aorta goes from the heart down through the center of the chest and into the abdomen. Due to the aorta being the biggest blood vessel in the human body, a rupture can lead to life-threatening bleeding. A few factors dictate treatment options, like waiting and watching or emergency surgery, and these factors include how fast it is growing and the size of the aneurysm.

Know The Symptoms

These aneurysms grow slowly and sometimes have hard-to-notice symptoms, which makes them challenging to detect. Some may never rupture, and some start small and stay that way. However, if there is a larger one that is growing fast, there are some signs you can look for:

• Back pain
• Constant, deep pain located in the belly or on the side
• Pulsing near your belly button

When To Seek Help

Should you experience pain, especially discomfort that is severe and sudden, you should seek medical help. There could be signs like intense and persistent back pain that feels like a tearing sensation. You may also have a fast pulse or lowered blood pressure. We are here at Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic for emergency services to provide the screening and testing you need to detect an abdominal aortic aneurysm so you can get the treatment you need.

Call (727) 339-2054 to talk with Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic about abdominal aortic aneurysm screening and testing in Seminole.

Patients living with chronic conditions can get notable relief with help from medical marijuana treatments. If you or a loved one is interested in learning how to begin the process of getting a medical marijuana card, our Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic Dunedin location is accepting patients for evaluations.

Are you living with cancer? Have a loved one with epilepsy? Do you deal with chronic pain or seizures on a daily basis? Many conditions qualify for therapeutic low-THC cannabis, and you could have one of them. To be eligible, you can get an evaluation from one of our medical professionals and then register with the Florida Department of Health’s Compassionate Use Registry.

What Conditions Qualify?

Under Florida Amendment 2, patients can use medical marijuana for treatments if they have been diagnosed with one or more of the following conditions:

• Cancer
• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
• Glaucoma
• Epilepsy
• Crohn’s Disease
• Any Terminal Condition
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• HIV/Aids
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Chronic Nonmalignant Pain

Other Conditions May Qualify

Along with the guidelines of Florida Amendment 2, medical professionals can provide certification to patients after being diagnosed with conditions that fall under the “same kind or class,” as well as chronic nonmalignant pain or a terminal ailment. The list is long but includes conditions such as Fibromyalgia, anxiety, Lyme Disease, insomnia, psoriasis, ovarian cysts, neuropathy, diabetes, and more.

Why Choose Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic?

We offer quality medical services, diagnosis, and treatment for all patients. Our team believes in disease prevention while promoting overall health and well-being. When it comes to chronic illnesses and pain management, medical marijuana has been at the forefront of treatment options. We would love to talk with you about helping you to get the evaluation you need to apply for your card.

Call (727) 339-2054 to talk with us at Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic in Dunedin about evaluations for a medical marijuana card.

If you or someone in your household has been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, you need treatments to ensure health and well-being. Here at Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic, we strive to bring our patients the highest level of service offerings and personal attention. We are here to assist if you are looking for carotid treatment in Largo!

With carotid artery disease, plaque begins building along the inside of the carotid arteries. These important arteries are there to carry oxygen-rich blood into the brain. You have two main common carotid arteries on either side of the neck. These arteries separate into an internal and external artery that goes to the brain.

What Is Plaque?

Plaque is comprised of a mixture of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances. As time goes on, plaque can begin building in the arteries, which is known as atherosclerosis. The buildup starts to narrow arteries, making it harder for the blood to get through. Narrow arteries are a serious danger as it can cut back or block out blood flow into the brain, leading to a stroke.

You Should Not Avoid Treatment

In order to ensure you can stay on a healthy path, you must seek help with carotid treatments. A mild to moderate blockage within the carotid artery generally gets a treatment that involves antiplatelet medications, including aspirin. These antiplatelet agents keep blood clots from developing. Additionally, treatment should involve looking at and reducing the risk factors, including high blood pressure or smoking. For many patients, ultrasounds and doppler testing are usually required periodically to monitor any blockages.

In addition to staying physically active, making lifestyle changes, and managing other underlying conditions, our team at Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic is here to provide testing and care for all health concerns related to carotid artery disease and stroke prevention.

Whenever you require carotid treatment in Largo or other necessary care, contact us at Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic at (727) 339-2054.

While there are some at-home tests, there might come a time when you do not have a test available or require a second opinion. Here at Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic in Tarpon Springs, we offer PT/INR testing whenever you need it!

What is PT/INR testing?

Prothrombin time measures the time it takes a clot to form from a blood sample. The INR is the result of the test that gets multiplied by a coefficient. This is essentially the same info, just expressed differently. With the INR, you can get standard data to compare from various parts of the world. These tests are used to monitor those getting treated with blood thinners like Warfarin or Coumadin.

Note: Other names for this test include PT protime and Prothrombin Time/International Normalized Ratio

What is it used for?

The PT/INR testing is most often used for:

• Seeing how well the patient’s blood thinner is working
• Finding the reason for the presentation of abnormal blood clots
• Determining why there is unusual bleeding
• Checking clotting functions prior to surgery
• Checking for liver problems

A PT/INR test will often be done with a PTT test (partial thromboplastin time test). This test also looks for various clotting issues.

Why would someone need PT/INR testing?

Patients often need this testing if prescribed a regular blood thinner medication. The test helps ensure you take the right dose to thwart future complications. If you are not on a blood thinner, you may have to get PT/INR testing for clotting or bleeding disorder symptoms.

Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic is available to address all your concerns regarding PT/INR testing and the associated symptoms that call for such a test. Our trained medical team and friendly staff are here to schedule testing, go over results, and help handle other health concerns you have or medical services you need.

Should you or someone in your Tarpon Springs household require PT/INR testing, visit us at Polmed Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic. Call us at (727) 339-2054 for details.