Dr. Carlos Contreras, MD

Dr. Carlos Contreras, MD is an Internal Medicine Physician practicing at his clinic in West Palm Beach, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices 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. He serves adults (18 years and older) and is committed to providing collaborative, evidence-based care in a supportive environment that empowers you to take an active role in your well-being. Please call (561) 655-3955 to confirm if Dr. Contreras is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Carlos Contreras, MD is an internist in West Palm Beach, FL and has over 45 years of experience in the medical field. With over 45 years of dedicated experience in Internal Medicine care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from State University Of New York Downstate Health Sciences University College Of Medicine in 1976. His approach to care is rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, emphasizing a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health.

Dr. Carlos Contreras provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Vitamin A Deficiency: Early detection of vitamin A deficiency can help prevent serious complications like blindness, impaired immune function, and increased susceptibility to infections.
• Endogenous Insomnia: Preventing the negative ripple effects of endogenous insomnia, characterized by difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep from internal causes, relies on early identification and appropriate treatment to safeguard your mental and physical health.
• Reflux Laryngitis: Reflux laryngitis, an irritation of the voice box from stomach acid, often responds well to early intervention and management, reducing the risk of long-term vocal damage.
• Pneumonia: Managing chronic conditions like asthma or COPD effectively helps to reduce your susceptibility to pneumonia and minimize the severity of symptoms should you develop it.
• AIDS-Related Complex: ARC signals a weakened immune system due to HIV, emphasizing the need for proactive healthcare and adherence to treatment plans to minimize health risks and improve long-term outcomes.
• Manic Disorder: Regular check-ups and open communication with your doctor are crucial for managing manic disorder, as early detection and proactive care reduce risks of severe episodes and long-term health problems.
• Craniosynostosis: Regular well-child visits are crucial for early detection of craniosynostosis, a condition that, if left untreated, can cause serious complications in brain growth and development.

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

• Eating Management: Proactive nutrition guidance from your internist can help you make informed food choices to prevent heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
• Bladder Function Test: Taking charge of your bladder health starts with a simple function test, which can detect issues like overactive bladder or incontinence before they significantly impact your life.
• ACTH (Cosyntropin) Stimulation Test: To proactively monitor your body's stress response and hormone levels, this test measures your adrenal glands' ability to produce cortisol, helping prevent or manage related health issues.
• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy: Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) helps restore balanced hormone levels, potentially alleviating symptoms of menopause or andropause and improving overall well-being.
• Outpatient Opioid Dependence Treatment: Proactively address opioid dependence through outpatient treatment to improve your overall well-being and reduce the risk of serious health complications.
• Oximetry: Take charge of your respiratory health: oximetry is a quick check that can detect low oxygen levels, allowing for timely intervention and preventing serious complications.
• Diabetes Counseling: Diabetes counseling helps identify your risk factors for diabetes and provides personalized guidance for prevention and early detection.

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. Carlos Contreras 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 diligently following a personalized vitamin A supplementation plan, a patient proactively reduced their risk of developing serious complications and maintained robust immune function. This proactive approach ensured their overall health and well-being.
• Recognizing the early signs of endogenous insomnia allowed a patient to develop a personalized sleep hygiene routine, leading to significant improvements in their overall well-being and reduced stress levels.
• By addressing potential reflux triggers and adopting healthy dietary habits, a patient significantly reduced the risk of developing reflux laryngitis, leading to a more comfortable and healthy lifestyle.

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. Carlos Contreras:

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

An internist, like Dr. Contreras, is a primary care doctor who specializes in the healthcare of adults. While family physicians treat patients of all ages, internists have extensive training in diagnosing and managing the diverse medical conditions common in adults.

How does Dr. Carlos Contreras manage patients with multiple chronic conditions?

Dr. Contreras 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 prioritizing your overall well-being.

What is your approach to preventive care for adults?

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

Can you help manage my type 2 diabetes?

Yes, Dr. Contreras and our team can help manage your type 2 diabetes. We offer a comprehensive approach including regular A1c monitoring, medication management (oral or insulin as needed), and personalized counseling on diet and exercise to prevent long-term complications like eye, kidney, and nerve damage.

Do I need a cholesterol test, and what do the numbers mean?

Cholesterol screening is essential for preventing heart disease and stroke. Dr. Contreras will order the test and thoroughly explain the results (LDL, HDL, triglycerides) and their implications for your personal risk.

Can you help me understand my risk for stroke?

Yes, Dr. Contreras 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.

I have high blood pressure. What is your treatment philosophy?

Dr. Contreras's approach to high blood pressure focuses on preventing heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. We aim for a personalized, multi-faceted strategy, starting with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and adding medication when needed to reach a safe blood pressure target.

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 oxygen when needed, and encouraging pulmonary rehabilitation.

1515 N Flagler Dr Ste 100
West Palm Beach FL 33401
Phone: (561) 655-3955

Dr. Carlos Contreras, 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): 1235158734

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. Carlos Contreras 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.