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Why Having a Primary Care Physician is So Important
For many people, making sure their children and family members receive regular health checkups is near the top of their list, but many neglect their own health and well being.  Having a primary care physician (PCP) can help assure that you take care of yourself as well.

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Making sure you obtain a PCP and scheduling regular appointments is vital to your long-term health.  “Creating and building that relationship with your doctor is the key to maintaining good health overall,” stresses Carmen Echols, M.D., a family medicine physician practicing at Flat Shoals Internal Medicine located in Decatur. Your PCP will be able to provide preventive care that may help avoid serious illnesses down the road. “Without a PCP,” she explains,” some people will either wait until they are really sick before they decide to make an appointment or they’ll make an unnecessary trip to the emergency room for simple cold and flu symptoms, which usually will cost the patient more money out of pocket.”  Either way it’s a losing scenario. With a PCP they can be seen and taken care of right away.

Dr. Echols’ special medical interests include (but are not limited to) adolescent medicine, diabetes, hypertension, women's health, and integrative and holistic medicine. Patients can visit her for annual and school physicals (including pap smears); education and management of chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc., as well as acute illnesses such as colds, flu and rashes. Dr. Echols is able to see patients ages 7 and up. All children must have completed their initial series of pediatric shots.

 Dr. Echols enjoys doing volunteer community service, West African dance, attending cultural events and festivals, traveling and gourmet cooking. She is married and has an English Bulldog.

To schedule an appointment with Carmen Echols, M.D., contact her office at 404.585.5049. 

Flat Shoals Internal Medicine’s office is located at 4153-B Flat Shoals Parkway, Suite 200, Decatur, GA 30034. 

Visit us online at: 
www.flatshoalsinternalmedicine.com