Dr. Alex Llarena, MD

Dr. Alex Llarena, MD is an Internal Medicine Physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, he practices at his clinic in Fernandina Beach, Florida, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Internists are your primary partners in lifelong health, creating comprehensive preventive care plans, coordinating essential screenings, and managing complex adult diseases to ensure your overall wellness and optimal long-term health. Dr. Llarena, an internal medicine provider with Millennium Physician Group, serves adults (18 years and older) and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. He is located at 1411 S. 14th St. Ste. B, and can be reached at (904) 261-7221 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Llarena completed rigorous medical training, including an internship at Wayne State University (1983) and a residency in Internal Medicine at Wayne State University Affil Hosps (1985). He is committed to providing exceptional care, prioritizing preventive strategies, and fostering a strong patient partnership. Dr. Alex Llarena provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Alex Llarena is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Alex Llarena can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Alex Llarena provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Limb Swelling Caused by Fluid Overload: Limb swelling caused by fluid retention is a warning sign that requires attention; through proactive health management, you can prevent further complications and protect your overall wellbeing.
• Trigeminal Neuralgia: Managing underlying conditions that may contribute to trigeminal neuralgia is a key aspect of preventive healthcare, helping you to avoid or lessen its impact.
• Long COVID Disorder: Long COVID's impact on various systems highlights the importance of comprehensive preventive care, minimizing potential damage through timely diagnosis and management.
• Bronchiectasis: Bronchiectasis, a condition where airways become permanently widened and scarred, can be effectively managed with preventative measures such as regular pulmonary rehabilitation and chest physiotherapy to reduce symptoms and improve breathing.
• Dizziness: Don't ignore dizziness; it might be a symptom of a condition that can be effectively managed with early intervention and regular monitoring by your doctor.
• Intertrigo: Regular skin checks and practicing good hygiene are key to preventing intertrigo, a common skin condition often found in skin folds that can lead to secondary infections if neglected.
• Venous Embolism and Thrombosis: Managing conditions that increase your risk of blood clots, such as heart disease or cancer, is a key step in preventing potentially life-threatening venous thromboembolic events.
• Tension Headache: Regular check-ups with your doctor to discuss headache frequency and severity can lead to early diagnosis and management, thus preventing escalation.
• Noninfectious Gastroenteritis and Colitis: Regular check-ups and healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce your risk of developing noninfectious gastroenteritis and colitis, protecting your digestive health.
• Allergic Rhinitis: Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is a common condition that can be managed effectively with early diagnosis and treatment to prevent worsening symptoms and long-term respiratory problems.
• Testicular Dysfunction: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, can help reduce your risk of developing testicular dysfunction.
• Viral Infection: Managing a viral infection promptly with appropriate treatment helps prevent it from spreading to others and causing more severe illness.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Alex Llarena offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Abscess or Fluid Incision and Drainage: To prevent serious infections, sometimes a simple procedure to drain an abscess or fluid collection is necessary – a key part of your overall health plan.
• Advance Directive End of Life Planning: Take control of your future by documenting your healthcare preferences and making your end-of-life decisions known.
• Arterial Blood Gas Test (ABG): For the proactive management of your health, an arterial blood gas test is used to assess your blood's pH and gas levels, offering a crucial insight into how well your body is working and enabling timely interventions.
• Care Coordination for Complex Conditions and Procedures: Take control of your complex health journey through integrated care plans that streamline your treatment and improve outcomes.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): Taking proactive steps for your heart health starts with an EKG, a quick and painless test that screens for irregular heartbeats and other heart conditions.
• Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer: This easy test checks for hidden blood in your stool, an early indicator of colorectal cancer, giving you the chance to take action and protect your health.
• Immunization Administration: Staying up-to-date on your immunizations is a proactive step to protect yourself from preventable diseases.
• Smoking Cessation Counseling: Make a positive change today and participate in smoking cessation counseling to improve your cardiovascular health and quality of life.
• Wellness Examination: Take charge of your health with a wellness examination; it's a comprehensive assessment that screens for various diseases and conditions, enabling early diagnosis and treatment.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Internal Medicine Physicians in Florida.

Dr. Alex Llarena is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Adult Patient's life:

• By addressing underlying health conditions and adopting a proactive management plan, a patient significantly reduced limb swelling, improving their overall comfort and confidence in their health journey. This proactive approach enabled them to confidently maintain their desired lifestyle.
• By addressing underlying dental issues and managing stress, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing trigeminal neuralgia, gaining a sense of well-being and proactive control over their health.
• By proactively addressing potential symptoms and engaging in a personalized health plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing long-term complications associated with COVID-19, fostering a sense of peace and control over their health journey.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Internal Medicine care with Dr. Alex Llarena:

What is an Internist, and how are they different from a Family Physician?

An internist, like Dr. Llarena, is a primary care doctor who specializes in adult health. While family physicians treat patients of all ages, internists have extensive training in diagnosing and managing the many medical conditions affecting adults.

How does Dr. Alex Llarena manage patients with multiple chronic conditions?

Dr. Llarena excels at managing patients with multiple chronic conditions. He acts as the quarterback of your healthcare team, coordinating care with specialists, optimizing medication regimens, and focusing on your overall well-being. He prioritizes your quality of life throughout the process.

What is your approach to preventive care for adults?

Dr. Llarena's approach to preventive care emphasizes a personalized, evidence-based plan tailored to each patient's unique needs. This includes key screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and cancers (colorectal, breast, prostate), working in partnership to minimize health risks and promote healthy aging.

What vaccinations are important for older adults?

Staying up-to-date on vaccinations is a key strategy for preventing serious illness in older adults. High-dose flu shots, the shingles vaccine (Shingrix), and pneumonia vaccines (Prevnar 20 or Vaxneuvance and Pneumovax 23) are especially important for this age group. These vaccines can help protect against potentially debilitating illnesses.

Can you help me understand my risk for stroke?

Yes, Dr. Llarena will conduct a thorough risk assessment, focusing on key preventable factors like managing high blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, treating atrial fibrillation, and counseling on smoking cessation to significantly lower your stroke risk.

What is COPD, and how is it managed?

COPD is a common lung disease, often linked to smoking, that makes breathing difficult. Management focuses on preventing flare-ups with inhalers, providing supplemental oxygen when needed, and encouraging pulmonary rehabilitation.

Does Dr. Alex Llarena provide care for patients in the hospital?

Dr. Llarena and our team provide comprehensive care, including hospital admissions and discharges. We work closely with our hospitalist colleagues to ensure seamless transitions and continuity of care during your hospital stay. This collaborative approach ensures the best possible outcome for your health.

How do you approach medication management, especially for patients on many prescriptions?

Dr. Llarena and our team take a careful and thorough approach to medication management, including a process called polypharmacy management. We regularly review all of a patient's medications to check for potential drug interactions, eliminate unnecessary prescriptions, and ensure the treatment plan is as simple and effective as possible.

1411 S 14th St Ste B
Fernandina Beach FL 32034
Phone: (904) 261-7221

Dr. Alex Llarena, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1326060203

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Internal Medicine Physicians like Dr. Alex Llarena are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your internal medicine physician about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.