When fluid accumulates in the abdomen, it can cause swelling, discomfort, weight gain, and difficulty breathing. Ascites may be caused by liver disease, heart failure, kidney failure, cancer, or infection.
Your quality of life and well-being can be significantly impacted by ascites. In addition to limiting your ability to perform daily activities, such as eating, sleeping, and moving, it can increase your risk of developing other health problems such as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatic encephalopathy, and portal hypertension.
Medications, diet changes, fluid restriction, diuretics, or paracentesis can be used to diagnose ascites, as can blood tests, urine tests, ultrasounds, or paracentesis. However, managing ascites can be challenging and costly for many patients. They may experience long waiting times, high deductibles, copays, coinsurance, or surprise bills. They may also feel rushed or dissatisfied with their care. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, "He who believes money will do anything may well be suspected of doing everything for money."
For a flat monthly fee, direct primary care (DPC) allows patients to have unlimited access to their primary care physician. By eliminating the middleman of insurance companies, DPC allows patients to have a direct relationship with their doctor without the middleman of insurance companies.
The following are some of the benefits of DPC for patients with ascites:
DPC doctors have fewer patients than traditional doctors, so they can spend more time with each patient. As Hippocrates said, “It is more important to know what type of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has,” so they can listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and provide personalized care.
DPC doctors are available 24/7 by phone, text, email, or video chat. You can also schedule same-day or next-day appointments at your convenience. No long waits or referrals are required. Albert Einstein once said, "The only source of knowledge is experience."
DPC doctors emphasize prevention and wellness over just treating symptoms of your health problems. In addition to providing lifestyle counseling, nutrition advice, medication management, and chronic disease management, they can also monitor your abdominal health with ultrasound or paracentesis to help manage your ascites. Thomas Edison once said, "The doctor of the future will not prescribe medicine, but will educate his patients about diet, health, and disease prevention."
A flat monthly fee covers all primary care services provided by DPC doctors. You don't have to pay any deductibles, copays, coinsurance, or surprises. You also know exactly what you are paying for and what you are receiving. Avoiding unnecessary tests, procedures, and hospitalizations can help you save money. Your DPC membership can also be paid for with your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA). Warren Buffett said, "Price is what you pay. Value is what you get."
Ascites patients can benefit from DPC. Here are some examples:
In a study, patients who received DPC had lower hospitalization rates and lower total health care costs than patients who received traditional fee-for-service care.
Using diuretics and paracentesis, a DPC doctor reduced fluid accumulation and improved liver function in a patient with ascites due to liver cirrhosis.
His DPC doctor helped him manage his ascites due to ovarian cancer, and his membership enabled him to access affordable chemotherapy and surgery.
You may wish to consider joining a DPC practice if you have ascites or are at risk of developing it. DPC can provide you with a personalized approach to managing your abdominal health.
A healthy abdomen is your body's core. Leonardo da Vinci said, "The human body is composed of four elements: fire (heat), air (breath), water (blood), and earth (flesh). The balance of these elements determines the health of the body." Take good care of your abdomen with DPC.
