Internal Medicine

Internal medicine provides the essential health care support you need to live a healthy, quality life. At Enliven Medical Clinic in Laguna Hills, California, you can receive annual exams, women’s health support, important health screenings, and in-office treatments from experienced internal medicine physician Mozhgan Ashtari, MD. She helps you prevent major illness, and if it should strike, she helps you manage it for the long term. Call today for your appointment.

Well Woman Exams

It is recommended that a comprehensive Well Woman Exam be performed for adult women on a routine basis. At Enliven Medical Clinic, this visit is educational with preventive measures. It includes a pelvic exam, breast exam and pap test for cervical cancer screening based on guidelines.  Methods of contraception are discussed and offered as needed.

At Enliven Medical Clinic, we maintain a sensitive and caring approach during this visit.  Before every patient’s clinical exam, their concerns are addressed, and questions are answered in detail by the physician in a relaxed and private setting.  This is followed by a very understanding and comprehensive history taking which includes a complete summary of the woman’s medical, surgical, social, and family history.

Specific questions are asked in order to obtain accurate information. As an example, some patients may not include miscarriages or abortions when asked about past pregnancies. Or some patients will equate undergoing a pelvic examination with having a Pap test, and erroneously state that this test was recently performed. Other patients may make inaccurate assumptions about whether their ovaries or cervix were removed with a hysterectomy. This is where a proper education by the physician is helpful.

The process of history taking focuses on patient complaints and concerns as well. The most common gynecologic concerns relate to vaginal discharge, abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, urinary problems, sexual dysfunction, and infertility. When a woman identifies one of these issues, detailed questioning can guide further evaluation and diagnosis. If more specific treatment or evaluation is required, Enliven Medical Clinic is connected with excellent specialists in the area with the same dedication and commitment.

Doctor giving a prescription medicine

Primary Care

Quality health care for individuals includes two fundamental elements: appropriate treatment for current illness and appropriate preventive care to lessen future health decline. Even when you are not sick it is important to visit your doctor regularly to maintain optimal health.

At Enliven Medical Clinic, we address preventive measures before an issue can develop into a serious area of concern. Regular annual check-ups for wellness are necessary, and to monitor chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, a more regular schedule may be needed.
 

Did you know that you should start regular cardiovascular risk assessments as early as 20 years old?  Blood pressure screening is also recommended for all adults and is measured at every visit.

The major risk factors for heart disease that are modifiable include:

  • Diet
  • Smoking
  • Hypertension
  • High blood cholesterol levels
  • Obesity
  • Physical activity
  • Diabetes mellitus
     

Did you know that uncontrolled diabetes can damage multiple vital organs and systems in your body?  This can be prevented by proactive health maintenance.

By starting preventive measures at a young age, you can avoid chronic diseases altogether or minimize the severity.  Screening includes physical examination, blood tests and imaging such as x-rays and CT scans, as indicated. Blood tests can be performed to screen for cancers, diabetes, sexually transmitted disease, and early indicators of heart disease.

At Enliven Medical Clinic we are here to care for you when you are not feeling well with a team of compassionate, well-trained physician and staff. Same-day sick visits are available when needed. Basic diagnostic tests can be performed in office, or for your convenience samples may be collected for further testing.  Appropriate instructions are given, and treatments prescribed to get you feeling better and back to your full potential as soon as possible.

Closeup of cardiologist doctor holding a stethoscope

Geriatric Care

The profile of aging in the United States has changed dramatically over the last century. Definitions of health and wellbeing in late life have changed with increase in life expectancy. Heart disease, cancer, and stroke have become the leading concern among older adults.

Decline in function and loss of independence are not an inevitable consequence of aging. Given the high prevalence and impact of chronic health problems among older patients, Enliven Medical Clinic utilizes evidence-based interventions to address these problems to maximize both the quantity and quality of life for older adults.

SHORT-TERM ISSUES

Focus on immediate needs to maintain or restore current health status; may be the sole focus for patients at the end of life.

  • Symptom management
  • Care coordination
  • Personal safety
  • Evaluate the living situation

MID-RANGE ISSUES

Address needs over the subsequent one to five years.

  • Preventive care
  • Disease management
  • Psychological issues
  • Coping strategie


LONG-TERM ISSUES

For older adults who are currently healthy and high-functioning.

  • Plans to be implemented to maintain the highest quality lifestyle
    We consider each individual patient’s health status, preferences, and priorities in management of the issues discussed above.

 

Young friendly caregiver talking chatting to happy senior man in hallway of nursing home. Picture of smiling nurse assisting senior elderly man

Comprehensive Screening

Our best plan of action against so many illnesses.

MALIGNANCIES/ CANCERS
A number of measures can be taken to prevent cancer, including but not limited to:

  • Avoidance of tobacco
  • Being physically active
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in saturated/trans fat
  • Limiting alcohol consumption
  • Protecting against sexually transmitted infections
  • Avoiding excess sun
  • Getting regular screening at your Primary Care Physician office

At Enliven Medical Clinic, each patient’s health, social and family history are evaluated to be sure the appropriate screenings are performed and repeated at suitable intervals for cancers such as:

  • Blood cancer (i.e. Leukemia, Lymphoma)
  • Breast cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Skin cancer (i.e. BCC, SCC, and melanomas)

Take a step in right direction and call today to schedule an appointment at Enliven Medical Clinic.

Doctor filling out medical documents in clinic closeup

Internal Medicine Q & A

What types of issues does internal medicine address?

An internal medicine specialist like Dr. Ashtari can meet your conventional medical needs by providing checkups, immunizations, blood pressure checks, wellness management, and comprehensive health screenings.

Dr. Ashtari can also help with acute concerns such as skin rashes, digestive ailments, and the flu. She treats a variety of issues including, but not limited to:

  • Arthritis management
  • Sinus infections
  • Diabetic checks
  • Heart disease management

Enliven Medical Clinic takes a holistic approach to your health.

What is preventive care?

Dr. Ashtari wants to help you prevent chronic disease, which can seriously affect your quality of life. Preventive care can include counseling to help you avert major health problems. It also includes vaccinations, like the flu shot, and screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies.

Some ways that Dr. Ashtari supports your health and helps you prevent illness include:

  • Wellness visits
  • Blood tests to check cholesterol, blood sugar, and organ function
  • Standard immunizations
  • Blood pressure screenings
  • Weight monitoring

With proper preventive care, diseases can be caught in their earliest stages and treated before they develop into a serious condition.

Why should I have a regular physical exam?

Even if you feel perfectly healthy, an annual physical exam is important. These checkups help you avoid many common health problems that typically don’t cause symptoms in their earliest stages, such as hypertension and Type 2 diabetes.

This exam is also a time to discuss your lifestyle and how you can take ownership of your health through good nutrition, physical activity, and stress management.

What is involved in women’s health care?

Women have special health care needs, and Dr. Ashtari is equipped to care for them. She can provide pelvic exams and Pap tests for cervical cancer screening, as well as birth control prescriptions and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. With bioidentical hormone therapy, she helps women transition through menopause comfortably.

After age 40, it’s recommended you get a mammogram to screen for breast cancer. Dr. Ashtari sets up a referral for you to get this important test done.

Consult with Dr. Ashtari at Enliven Medical Clinic for all of your general health care needs. Call the office to set up a consultation or use this website.