A hiatal hernia is a condition where the upper part of your stomach bulges through an opening in your diaphragm, which separates your chest from your abdomen. Heartburn, acid reflux, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and a feeling of full quickly are some of the symptoms of this condition. GERD, esophagitis, ulcers, and bleeding can be caused by a hiatal hernia.
Managing the symptoms and preventing complications of a hiatal hernia may require regular medical care. Traditional health insurance, however, may not cover all the services you require, or may require you to pay high deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Long wait times, limited appointment slots, and decreased quality of care may also occur.
Providing direct primary care (DPC) means paying a monthly or annual fee directly to your primary care provider, without involving third parties. With this plan, you have unlimited access to your provider, who provides a range of primary care services, including consultations, exams, care coordination, and laboratory tests.
You can receive several benefits from DPC if you have a hiatal hernia, including:
By eliminating or reducing out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, DPC can save you money. Also, there are no surprise bills or hidden fees with DPC. A DPC provider usually charges a flat fee that covers all the primary care services he or she offers, without any additional charges at the time. In addition to medications, imaging, and specialty referrals, some DPC providers may offer discounts.
You can spend up to an hour with your provider during each visit with DPC, instead of the usual 15 minutes or less. In this way, your provider can learn more about you, understand your medical history, address your concerns, and provide personalized care to you. The saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Your provider can help you prevent or treat your hiatal hernia symptoms before they worsen.
DPC provides you with more convenience by allowing you to contact your provider at any time, anywhere. You can contact them by phone, email, text, or video chat, and you will get a response in minutes or hours. You can also schedule same-day or next-day appointments, and avoid long wait times. As often as you like, you can visit your provider without limits or restrictions. It is said by Hippocrates, "Healing is a matter of time, but sometimes it is also a matter of opportunity." When you have more convenience, you can get the care you need when you need it.
In DPC, your provider can help you manage your hiatal hernia in a personalized way, based on your specific needs and preferences. Your provider can offer you various options, such as:
The provider can advise you on how to improve your overall health and reduce your hiatal hernia symptoms by changing your diet, exercise, weight, smoking, alcohol, and stress levels. In addition to eating smaller, more frequent meals, avoiding spicy and acidic foods, elevating your head while sleeping, losing excess weight, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol, your provider may also recommend that you practice relaxation techniques and reduce your weight. Thomas Edison once said, "The doctor of the future will not prescribe medicine but instruct his patients in diet, hygiene, and the prevention of disease."
Your provider can prescribe you medications to control your hiatal hernia symptoms, such as antacids, H2 blockers, proton inhibitor pumps, or prokinetics. Your provider can also monitor your medication use, adjust your dosage, and check for any side effects or interactions. In addition, they can offer you discounts or generic alternatives so that you can save money on your medications.
A surgeon can refer you to a surgeon if your hiatal hernia requires surgery. If your hiatal hernia is large, causes severe symptoms, or leads to complications, such as bleeding, ulcers, or obstruction, surgery may be the best option. You can receive assistance from your provider in preparing for surgery, coordinating your care with the surgeon, and following up with you after surgery. You can also find a surgeon who provides quality and affordable care through your provider.
With the help of a DPC practice, you may be able to save money, have more time, be more convenient, and receive personalized hiatal hernia care. By experiencing DPC, you may discover the best way to manage your hiatal hernia and your health.
Albert Einstein once said,
“The only source of knowledge is experience.”
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