Author Archives: millennium medical

Watch For Your New Medicare Card

Medicare Cards

Starting this April, Medicare will be issuing new Medicare Cards. The new cards will no longer have a Social Security Number on them. Each card now will have a unique Medicare Number instead.  The best part is, you do not have to do anything. You should probably make sure your address is correct for your Medicare account but that is about it.

Medicare Card Facts

As stated earlier, the card will automatically come to you. Now please remember there are millions of members to Medicare, so please have patience. Also, the new card will no longer have your Social Security Number on it.  In addition, your Medicare Coverage and benefits will remain the same. The new card will be paper and once you receive your card, please destroy your old one right away.

For Medicare Advantage Plan, your primary card is your Medicare Advantage Plan ID card, so please keep that card in addition to the new card. Westland Clinic and other facilities are aware of the new cards and will ask to see your new card, so make sure to carry it with you. Your new Medicare number, only share it with doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers. If you happen to forget your new card, healthcare providers can look up your Medicare Number online.

Your card will be sent to the address that the Social Security office has on file. So again, make sure your contact address is correct. To change your information you can visit the Social Security website here. At Westland Clinic, we are always accepting new Medicare patients every day.  Give us a call today at 734.728.2130 and we can explain what your coverage covers. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Westland Clinic please fill out our form and one of helpful staff will contact you right away.

Be Aware of High Blood Pressure – Hypertension

High blood pressure is normally determined by both the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries and the amount of blood your heart pumps. The narrower your arteries are and the more blood your heart pumps, the better chance of you having high blood pressure. You can have high blood pressure (hypertension) for years without even feeling any symptoms or side effects. This common condition can cause health problems, such as heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

High Blood Pressure Symptoms

Checking for high blood pressure

High blood pressure can cause damage to your blood vessels. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can increase your chance of having serious health problems, however, high blood pressure can be easily detected. Once high blood pressure is detected, no need to worry. You can work with your doctor to control it.

Some common high blood pressure symptoms include:

  • Headaches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nosebleeds
  • Fatigue
  • Chest pain
  • Vision problems
  • Irregular heartbeat

Home and Doctor Monitoring

Some of you may ask, “So when’s the right time to see a doctor?” Normally, whenever you have your annual doctor visit, your blood pressure is taken as part of their routine doctor’s appointment. Every time you go in to see your doctor, ask for a blood pressure reading to help monitor where you are at. Blood pressure reading typically should be checked in both arms to determine if there is a difference. If you don’t regularly visit your doctor, you can buy a blood pressure machine that’s available in stores.

Blood Pressure Testing at Westland Clinic

Serving in the metro Detroit area for over 40 years, Westland Clinic provides excellent medical care and treatment to their patients. The doctors there work hard to fulfill all of your needs. If you aren’t sure if you have high blood pressure and want to get it checked out, just to be safe, contact us. Not only are we experts in that area, but we also welcome and encourage our patients to bring in their home blood pressure machines to cross check it. Call us at 734.728.2130 to schedule your appointment today!

New Diagnostic Testing Now At Westland Clinic

Westland Clinic sets the bar high when it comes to treating patients. Being in business for over 40 years now, we are determined to provide excellent medical care and treatment to surrounding areas, such as Westland and Livonia. Speaking of medical care and treatment, we’re constantly trying to find ways to help our patients. Recently we added some new areas of diagnostic testing at our Westland Clinic.

Here is a list of out new diagnostic testing services:

new diagnostic testing services Westland

  • Stress Testing
  • Nuclear Studies
  • Stress Echo
  • Bone Scan
  • Thyroid Scan
  • HIDA Scan

New Diagnostic Testing Services

Below are except descriptions to help you get a better understanding of these services.

Stress Testing

Stress testing, also known as stress echo, is normally done to provide information on how your heart works during physical stress. Some heart problems are easier to detect when your heart is working hard and beating fast. When doing a stress test, you are doing some form of exercise as tests are being run to see what’s going on.

Nuclear Studies

Nuclear studies are exams that are done to examine and capture images of your heart. This procedure is painless and causes little to no side effects. With the images, it reveals how the blood flows to the heart and how your heart functions at rest and under stress.

Bone Scan

A bone scan is a nuclear medicine test that is done to view and document metabolic activity within the bones. It is used as a way to determine whether cancer has spread to the bones from another area of the body, such as breast and prostate. Bone scans can take anywhere from two to five hours for the tracer to attach to your bones, so it’s recommended to bring a book or something that will keep you busy.

Thyroid Scan

A thyroid scan is a procedure that is done to measure how much tracer the thyroid gland absorbs from the blood. Using a special camera and a radioactive tracer, it travels through the body and gives off radiation signals. The camera then senses the signals and takes pictures of the thyroid gland at three different angles.

HIDA Scan

A HIDA scan is a diagnostic test done to capture images of the gallbladder, liver, bile ducts and small intestines. This helps to diagnose medical conditions related to those organs and detect other blockages within the human body.

Contact Us!

Are you looking for the right medical center in Westland or near Livonia who is able to perform these medical diagnostic testings? Contact the Millennium Medical Group at our Westland Clinic! We understand how important it is to have the latest diagnostic services at a local medical center you can trust.

Hepatitis A Testing

In the midst of cold and flu season, you may be familiar with the outbreak of Hepatitis A that has been going around metro Detroit. Because this is a very popular time of year to catch a stomach bug, if you have contracted Hepatitis A, recognizing signs and symptoms may be difficult. It is important to seek medical attention if you think you may have contracted Hepatitis A.

What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a liver infection that can range in severity from mild to fatal. Hepatitis A is spread by contact with microscopic amounts of fecal matter from an infected person. More often than not, that person may not know that they are infected. Common forms of transmission are eating, drinking, or sexual activity.Sick man and women

Signs or Symptoms or Hepatitis A

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal pain
  • Clay-colored stools
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dark urine
  • Joint pain
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

There are people who may be at a higher risk of contracting Hep A. This includes those that frequent travel outside of the country, men who have sex with men, drug users, or working with someone who has Hep A or a country that is known for Hep A outbreaks.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with Hepatitis A, it is best to see a doctor. Especially if you are starting to experience symptoms associated with Hepatitis A. Blood tests can be done to rule out or confirm cases of Hepatitis A.

Preventing Hepatitis A

There are ways that you can protect yourself from obtaining Hepatitis A. Getting the Hep A Vaccine as recommended by the CDC is the best way to protect yourself. In addition to the vaccination, proper hand washing techniques, and proper hygiene can also help reduce your risk of getting Hep A.

If you need to get a Hepatitis A vaccine, be sure to schedule your appointment today. Getting the vaccine is your number one preventative measure when it comes to avoiding Hep A. Contact us with any questions you may have regarding the Hepatitis A vaccine.

Have a Healthy Holiday!

As the days grow shorter, the temperature is starting to get cold. Winter starts this month and even though we might have a few warm days, it is just as likely to snow.  The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to be prepared for the holiday festivities than to be healthy for all that’s in store?

Spread the Cheer, Not the Illness

There probably isn’t a time of year where people are closer so it pays to be careful. Influenza, also known as the flu, is a very contagious respiratory virus that can be passed down from person to person through sneezing, coughing, hugging or even talking. This type of illness can linger on surfaces, so it’s pretty easy to catch.  A few symptoms include:

  • Sore throat
  • Muscle aches
  • Extreme Fatigue
  • Coughing
  • Fever
  • Runny/stuffy nose

The severeness of each flu season cannot be predicted, however, the best way to prevent the flu is to have an annual flu vaccination.Healthy Holiday prevent flu

Precautions/Tips to Take for the Holiday Season

Flu season can begin as early as October and typically peaks between December and February. Many of us look forward to spending the holidays with our loved ones, so it’s very important that we take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and others near you from getting sick. This holiday, take control to stay healthy. By simply washing your hands with soap, using hand sanitizer regularly, eating well-balanced meals (fruits, veggies, lean meats, etc.) and exercising, you’ll overcome this flu season.

Ready for a Checkup?

Are you in need of a checkup? Do you still need to receive your annual flu vaccination? Westland Clinic offers medical care to all ages. Our family practice office provides care for your entire family, as well as offers a wide range of medical care which includes; routine physicals, treatment of acute and chronic diseases and conditions. For more information, please do not hesitate to give us a call today at 734.728.2130 or visit us at our location.