Do I need antibiotics? Should I be worried about my cholesterol? Can my doctor help me with stress? Your primary care provider (PCP) is a trusted resource for questions big and small, helping you understand your symptoms, explore your options, and feel confident about your care.

You don’t have to wait until you’re sick or concerned about a symptom to start having that conversation. Regular checkups give you time to ask questions, stay on track with preventive care and build a relationship with a doctor who knows your medical history and health goals. Having an ongoing connection with your PCP is an important part of maintaining your long-term health.

Saad Mansuri, MD, a primary care physician at Summit Health who sees patients in Berkeley Heights, NJ, answers 10 common questions patients ask and shares how partnering with your PCP can help you take charge of your health.

Due for a checkup? It’s easy to book an appointment online with a Summit Health primary care provider.

1. Do I need antibiotics, or will this illness go away on its own?

Not every illness requires antibiotics. Many common ailments, such as colds, influenza and even cases of acute bronchitis, are caused by viruses, so antibiotics won’t make them better.

When I evaluate a patient, I look at the symptoms, how long they’ve been present, the physical exam and whether testing is needed to determine the most likely cause.

If antibiotics aren’t necessary, I’ll explain why and discuss what you can do to feel better and what warning signs to watch for. If antibiotics are appropriate, I’ll explain what we’re treating and what to expect.

2. When should I see my primary care doctor versus going to urgent care?

For most non-emergency medical concerns, your primary care doctor is a great place to start because we know your medical history and can help coordinate your overall care.

Primary care can address everything from infections and persistent symptoms to medication concerns and chronic conditions, while urgent care can be useful when you need prompt attention and your primary care doctor isn’t available.

If you’re experiencing a true emergency, such as severe chest pain, significant difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding or loss of consciousness, you should call 911 or go to the emergency department.

3. What can I do to lower my blood pressure or cholesterol?

There are several things you can do to improve your blood pressure and cholesterol, including regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins and limiting excess sodium. Other useful strategies to support a healthy cholesterol and blood pressure rate include lifestyle modifications, such as limiting tobacco exposure. Sleep, stress management and moderating alcohol intake can also play a role.

For some people, lifestyle changes may be enough, while others benefit from medication to reduce their long-term risk of heart attack and stroke.

I like to look at the whole picture—including your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, family history, other medical conditions and overall cardiovascular risk—to develop a plan that’s appropriate for you.

4. How do I know if I’m at risk for diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes can develop gradually, and many people don’t have noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Risk factors include being overweight or obese, a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol or triglycerides, and having a history of gestational diabetes. Certain ethnic backgrounds also have a higher likelihood of developing this condition.

A simple blood test, such as an A1C or fasting glucose, can help determine whether your blood sugar is normal, in the prediabetes range or in the diabetes range.

Even if you feel completely healthy, it’s important to discuss diabetes screening with your primary care doctor if you have risk factors.

5. Can my primary care doctor help with anxiety, stress or depression?

Absolutely! Mental health is an important part of primary care, and you don’t need to wait until you’re in crisis to bring it up.

Anxiety, stress and depression can affect your sleep, energy, concentration, relationships and physical health, and I can help identify what you’re experiencing, discuss treatment options and connect you with a therapist or mental health specialist when appropriate. Medication can also be helpful for some patients.

Most importantly, I want patients to feel comfortable having an honest conversation about their mental health without feeling judged.

6. How much exercise should I get and where should I start?

For most adults, a good goal is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week along with muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week.

However, if you’re currently inactive, you don’t need to start there—you can begin with something as simple as a 10- or 20-minute walk and gradually increase your activity over time. Even small improvements can have meaningful health benefits.

I encourage patients to find activities they enjoy and can realistically maintain because consistency is much more important than having a perfect exercise routine.

7. Do I still need an annual visit if I feel healthy?

Yes! Feeling healthy is a great sign, but preventive care is about more than treating problems once they develop.

A routine visit gives us an opportunity to review things like blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk, medications, vaccinations, cancer screenings, family history and other preventive health needs. It also gives us a chance to identify potential problems before they cause symptoms.

I think of primary care as a long-term relationship, and even when you feel well, those periodic visits help us stay ahead of potential health issues and keep you healthy.

8. Could my medications be causing side effects?

Yes, medications can cause side effects, although a new symptom isn’t necessarily caused by medication.

If you notice something new after starting a medication or changing a dose, let me know so we can look at the timing, the medication itself, potential interactions and other possible causes. Sometimes we can address a side effect by adjusting the dose or timing, while other situations may call for a different medication.

It’s also important to tell your doctor about vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter medications because they can sometimes interact with prescription medications, and you shouldn’t stop an important prescription medication without discussing it with your doctor.

9. Can my blood work be normal and still miss why I’m feeling unwell?

Yes. Blood work is an important part of evaluating symptoms, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.

There are many reasons someone may not feel well that won’t necessarily show up on routine blood tests, which is why I also consider your symptoms, medical history, medications, lifestyle, sleep, mental health and physical examination.

Normal results can actually be reassuring because they may help rule out certain conditions, but if you’re still not feeling well, that doesn’t mean your symptoms aren’t real. We can step back, look at the bigger picture and determine whether additional evaluation is appropriate.

10. What are patients most hesitant to bring up and what do you wish they would tell you? 

Patients sometimes hesitate to bring up things they’re embarrassed or uncomfortable discussing—whether that’s sexual health, mental health, substance use, changes in bowel or bladder habits, sleep problems, weight or something they’ve been worrying about for a long time.

I want patients to know that they don’t need to be embarrassed or have the perfect words to explain what’s going on. My job is to listen, understand and help—not to judge.

Sometimes a detail that seems small or embarrassing to a patient can be medically important, so I’d much rather have someone bring a concern up than keep it to themselves.