Nurse Practitioners (NP) are nurses with either a Master’s or Doctoral degree who specialize in the care of a population of people. Rosemarie Spada is board certified as a family nurse practitioner. Rosemarie is certified through ANCC. Traditionally NPs work for 2 or more years as a Registered Nurse (after earning a Bachelor’s Degree or their RN degree) and then attend 2-4 years of additional education in their specialty field (family practice, adult/gerontology, women’s health, psych/mental health, pediatrics, or neonatology). The NP must then pass a national certification exam and apply to the Board of Nursing for permission to practice.
In Massachusetts, beginning in January 2021, a nurse practitioner is required to work in collaboration and under supervision for their first two years of practice. After successful completion of the initial supervision an NP can then transition to independent practice.
Physicians earn a Bachelor’s Degree and then attend medical school for 4 years. They then attend a residency program to get specialized training in the specialty of their choice. Some physicians will attend additional fellowship training in a specific field. Physicians are also required to pass national certification exams to obtain a license to practice.
Nurse practitioner education is focused on how diseases like diabetes or high cholesterol affect their patients and their families. NPs look at patients holistically and consider many factors when developing treatment plans. NPs focus more on wellness and preventative care than our physician colleagues. Research studies have shown that NP care is equivalent or superior to a physician’s care in the primary care setting. Physicians and Nurse Practitioners work collaboratively to make sure patients are getting the best possible care for the conditions that impact their lives. Like their physician colleagues, NPs maintain relationships and partnerships with specialty providers including MD, PA, NP, DO, and DC. Our goal is to provide patients and families with the opportunity to feel free with choosing a health team that best meets their needs while giving the patient a point provider who will help to make sure all their needs are being met.
Experts predict that the U.S. will be short between 17,800 and 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034. For many, those numbers may seem too abstract to fathom or the year too far away to ponder given more immediate concerns. Nurse Practitioners look to fill that void by stepping into the role as Pri for all populations of patients.
High Blood Pressure FAQs
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the pressure of the blood flowing against the artery walls is above the normal range. Blood pressure is measured in two sets of numbers. The first number is the systolic reading, which is the pressure when the heart is beating. The second number is the diastolic number, the pressure when the heart is resting. High blood pressure occurs when the systolic reading is at 140 or higher and/or the diastolic reading is 90 or above.
Primary hypertension - high blood pressure that develops gradually over the course of time.
Secondary hypertension - high blood pressure as a result of another medical condition.
High blood pressure gradually develops over the course of time without any symptoms. In the early stages of high blood pressure some people may experience headaches, dizzy spells or nosebleeds.
People at risk for high blood pressure usually have one or more of the following:
- Close relatives with high blood pressure
- African-American
- Over 35 years of age
- Overweight
- Excessive use of salt in food
- Alcohol consumption
- Women using oral contraceptives
- Physically inactive
- Pregnant women
- Tobacco use
- Stress
- Existing medical condition
- Reduced levels of potassium or Vitamin D
High blood pressure is a serious condition. Untreated, patients may experience the following:
- Heart failure
- Kidney failure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Death
There are several things that can be done to reduce blood pressure, such as:
- Losing weight
- Eating a healthy diet that is low in salt and fat
- Limiting alcohol to no more than two drinks a day
- Becoming physically active
- Stopping use of tobacco products
- Taking prescribed medication
- Keeping a level blood pressure
Arthritis FAQs
Arthritis is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Arthritis is commonly caused by inflammation in the lining of the joints, which in addition to pain, may result in redness, heat, swelling and loss of movement in the affected joints. Over time, joints affected by arthritis may become severely damaged. There are different types of arthritis, and depending on the cause, may affect people of different ages. Some types of arthritis may cause to damage to other organs of the body in addition to the joints.
Osteoarthritis occurs more frequently in older individuals, however it sometimes develops in athletes from overuse of a joint or after an injury. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than men and it usually develops in individuals over the age of 40.
The symptoms of arthritis are commonly caused by damage to the joint, which typically develops from injury or overuse. The actual cause of an individual case of arthritis depends on the type of the disease, and may be a result of excessive wear-and-tear or an immune system disorder that causes the body to attack its own joints.
Types of arthritis include:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It develops as the cartilage protecting the bones of a joint wears down over time. It occurs more frequently in older individuals, however it sometimes develops in athletes from overuse of a joint or after an injury. It commonly affects the fingers, knees, lower back and hips and is often treated with medication and certain forms of exercise and physical therapy.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disorder caused by the body attacking its own healthy tissue. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of the joints, and in addition to joint pain and inflammation, it sometimes affects other organs of the body including the skin, eyes, heart, lungs and blood vessels. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than men and it usually develops in individuals over the age of 40.
Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis that cause painful, swollen, red and inflamed joints. Gout is called by a build-up of uric acid within the body that forms crystals within the joints and surrounding tissues. This build-up of crystals causes acute pain and swelling that commonly affects the joint of big toe, but can also occur in the feet, ankle, knees and hands. The symptoms of gout often appear suddenly and without warning, often in the middle of the night.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects people who have psoriasis, a skin condition characterized by red and scaly patches of skin. Psoriatic arthritis is considered an autoimmune disorder and causes joint inflammation, stiffness and pain that may affect the fingers, toes, feet and lower back.
The most common symptoms associated with arthritis include pain, swelling and stiffness of the affected joint. However, some patients may also experience fever, fatigue, and dry eyes and mouth, depending on which type of arthritis they have.
Diagnosing arthritis depends on the type of disease, but usually involves diagnostic tests and imaging exams to evaluate the affected areas of the body. Tests to diagnose arthritis often include blood, urine and joint fluid tests, along with X-rays or MRI imaging exams. A doctor may also use arthroscopy to assess damage within the actual joint.
Treatment for arthritis may include medication to control pain, minimize inflammation and slow the progression of joint damage. Exercise and physical therapy may also be effective at keeping joints flexible. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended to repair tendons or replace damaged joints. In addition to medical treatment, some forms of arthritis may respond to lifestyle changes such as losing weight, eating a healthy diet and exercise. Heat and cold therapy may also relieve pain and swelling in joints and assistive devices such as canes or walkers may assist individuals with arthritis with mobility.
