Dr. Bushra Shariff, DO

Dr. Bushra Shariff, DO is an Internal Medicine Physician practicing at Northside Hospital - Internal Medicine GME Program in St Petersburg, FL. She is deeply committed to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Internal Medicine care, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the 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. She is dedicated to helping adults (18 years and older) achieve their best possible health outcomes.

Dr. Bushra Shariff, DO is an internist in St Petersburg, FL, affiliated with HCA Florida Northside Hospital and Moffitt Cancer Center Magnolia Campus. She is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their health journey. While she is not currently accepting new patients, you can call (727) 521-4411 to inquire about waitlists or future openings. Dr. Shariff provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Bushra Shariff 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. Bushra Shariff 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. Bushra Shariff 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:

• Joint Pain: Preventive strategies like maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise can significantly reduce your risk of developing painful joint conditions.
• Shortness of Breath: Experiencing shortness of breath? Don't ignore it – proactive monitoring and medical attention can help identify and manage potential heart or lung problems before they worsen.
• Cachexia: Cachexia, characterized by extreme weight loss and muscle wasting, can significantly impact your quality of life; proactive lifestyle changes and medical care are essential in mitigating its effects.
• Pharyngitis: Understanding the risk factors for pharyngitis, such as viral infections or allergies, can aid in timely prevention and management strategies.
• Acute Bronchitis: Catching acute bronchitis early can prevent it from turning into a more serious lung infection, highlighting the importance of prompt medical attention and preventive strategies like good hand hygiene.
• Urinary Incontinence: Urinary incontinence, or accidental urine leakage, can often be prevented or managed with lifestyle changes and early medical attention, improving your quality of life and preventing complications like skin infections.
• Dehydration: Managing your fluid intake proactively can significantly reduce your risk of dehydration and the associated health consequences.
• Muscle Cramping: Understanding the causes of your muscle cramps is key to preventive health; early intervention can prevent debilitating complications and improve your overall well-being.
• Acute Lower Respiratory Infection: Early diagnosis and treatment of acute lower respiratory infections are key to preventing hospitalizations and ensuring a quick recovery.
• Tobacco Use Disorder: Early detection and management of tobacco use disorder can prevent or delay the onset of many chronic diseases and improve your quality of life.
• Intestinal Diverticulitis: Early detection of diverticulitis through regular checkups with your internist can help prevent serious complications like infections or blockages.
• Venous Embolism and Thrombosis: Understanding your personal risk for venous embolism and thrombosis and working with your doctor to manage it through lifestyle changes and medication can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing a serious health event.

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. Bushra Shariff offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Arterial Blood Gas Test (ABG): As a key part of your comprehensive health assessment, an arterial blood gas test helps your doctor assess your body's acid-base balance and identify potential problems affecting your breathing or metabolism.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a simple test that checks your heart's rhythm and electrical activity, helping detect potential heart problems early.
• Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer: Protecting your future, a fecal occult blood test is a crucial preventive measure that can identify colorectal cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages.
• Spine Physical Therapy: Take a proactive step towards preventing future back problems and improve your posture and mobility with spine physical therapy.
• Stroke Prevention: Protect your brain health by undergoing a stroke risk assessment, identifying potential issues early, and implementing preventative strategies.
• Immigration Physical Examination: This exam helps you meet immigration health standards while also providing a baseline assessment of your overall health and identifying potential problems early.
• External Direct Current Cardioversion: For patients experiencing certain dangerous heart rhythm disorders, External Direct Current Cardioversion is a life-saving procedure that helps restore a regular heartbeat, reducing risks of serious health consequences.

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. Bushra Shariff 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 consistently following a personalized exercise plan and maintaining a healthy weight, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing painful joint conditions, enjoying greater mobility and a higher quality of life.
• By proactively scheduling check-ups and communicating concerns about occasional shortness of breath, a patient identified and addressed underlying lung issues early, preventing a more serious health problem.
• By proactively managing underlying conditions and implementing a personalized nutrition plan, a patient significantly reduced the risk of cachexia, enabling them to maintain a healthy weight and robust muscle mass. This proactive approach ensured a greater quality of life and peace of mind.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She 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. Bushra Shariff:

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

An internist, like Dr. Shariff, 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 various medical conditions common in adults.

How does Dr. Bushra Shariff manage patients with multiple chronic conditions?

Dr. Shariff excels at managing patients with multiple chronic conditions. She acts as the quarterback of your healthcare team, coordinating care with specialists, optimizing medication regimens to prevent interactions, and prioritizing your overall well-being.

What is your approach to preventive care for adults?

Dr. Shariff's approach to preventive care emphasizes a personalized, evidence-based plan tailored to each patient's individual needs and risk factors. This includes key screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and cancers (colorectal, breast, prostate), as well as lifestyle counseling to promote healthy aging. We work together to identify and minimize potential health risks.

What is COPD, and how is it managed?

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

Can you help me understand my risk for stroke?

Yes, Dr. Shariff 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 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, Shingrix for shingles, and pneumonia vaccines like Prevnar 20 or Vaxneuvance and Pneumovax 23 are particularly important. These protect against serious complications from these common infections.

What happens during a 'Welcome to Medicare' or annual wellness visit?

A "Welcome to Medicare" or annual wellness visit is a vital opportunity to establish a proactive health plan. It involves creating a personalized prevention schedule, reviewing all medications, assessing for health risks, and ensuring all of your healthcare is coordinated and effective.

I was told I have 'fatty liver disease.' What does that mean?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is when fat builds up in your liver, often linked to conditions like obesity and diabetes. Dr. Shariff can help you understand lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and dietary adjustments, to prevent further liver problems.

Northside Hospital - Internal Medicine GME Program
6000 49th St N
St Petersburg FL 33709
Phone: (727) 521-4411

Dr. Bushra Shariff, DO 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): 1962963983

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. Bushra Shariff 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.