You may feel uncomfortable or painful when you experience bloating in your belly because it is tight, pressured, or full. There are many factors that can cause it, including eating too fast, swallowing air, drinking fizzy drinks, eating certain foods that cause gas, hormonal changes, food intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and others. Having bloating can make you feel self-conscious about your appearance and affect your quality of life.
Primary care that is provided directly to patients is referred to as direct primary care (DPC). Most or all primary care services, such as visits, tests, prescriptions, and preventive care, are covered by a monthly or annual fee by DPC doctors. Unlike third-party payers, DPC doctors don't accept insurance or third-party payments, which lowers administrative costs and enables them to spend more time with their patients.
Several benefits of DPC can help you improve your well-being if you suffer from bloating. These benefits include:
You get more time with your doctor: DPC doctors typically have fewer patients than traditional primary care doctors, so they can spend more time with you. As a result, they can listen to your concerns, examine you thoroughly, explain your diagnosis and treatment options, answer your questions, and provide ongoing support.
A DPC doctor can provide you with same-day or next-day appointments, so you can schedule an appointment whenever you need it, without having to wait weeks or months. By doing so, you can avoid complications or worsening of your condition earlier and address your bloating symptoms sooner.
24-7 access to your doctor: DPC doctors are reachable by phone, text, email or video chat at any time of the day or night, so you can contact them whenever you need help with your bloating. It may be helpful to get advice, reassurance, or guidance on what to do next from this.
There is no copay, deductible, coinsurance or surprise bills to deal with with DPC doctors. This can help you save money and avoid financial stress, which can worsen bloating.
In addition to improving your health outcomes and quality of life as a bloating patient, DPC can provide you with the following benefits:
You can customize your bloating management plan based on your specific preferences, needs, and goals. They can help you identify the causes and triggers of your bloating, including food intolerance, IBS, and other digestive disorders. In addition, they can assist you in finding the best treatment options for your bloating, including dietary changes, supplements, medications or therapies. They can also monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as necessary.
You can avoid or reduce bloating episodes by receiving preventive care from DPC doctors. They can screen you for common conditions that can cause bloating, such as celiac disease, helicobacter pylori infection, or liver failure. Additionally, they can teach you how to avoid eating too quickly, swallowing air, and drinking fizzy drinks, which can cause bloating. Staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and managing stress can also improve your digestion and overall health.
It is possible for DPC doctors to provide you with holistic care that does not only address your physical symptoms, but also your emotional and mental wellbeing. They can help you cope with the psychological effects of bloating, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression. Nutritionists, gastroenterologists, and biofeedback therapists are among the specialists they can refer you to for help with other aspects of your health.
If you are interested in personalized bloating management in DPC, here are some steps you can take:
You can find a DPC doctor near you by searching online or asking your friends or family for recommendations. To find a list of DPC doctors in your state, you can also visit the websites of DPC organizations such as the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) or the Direct Primary Care Coalition (DPCC).
Call or email the DPC doctor of your choice and ask about their services, fees, availability and policies. You can also schedule a consultation or meet-and-greet with them to get to know them better.
Join a DPC practice: If you decide to join, you will have to sign a contract containing the terms and conditions of your membership, including the fee, the services included, the duration and the cancellation policy. Your membership card, contact details, and other information will be provided in a welcome packet along with your medical history, insurance information, and payment method.
DPC benefits: Once you become a DPC member, you can enjoy all the benefits of DPC for bloating patients, such as more time with your doctor, same-day or next-day appointments, 24/7 access to your doctor, lower costs, personalized bloating management, preventive care and holistic treatment. Your doctor can also hear your feedback and you can tell others about it.
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