Dr. Charmineh Pullara, MD

Dr. Charmineh Pullara, MD is an Internal Medicine Physician practicing at her clinic in Lakeland, FL. As a trusted partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is dedicated 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 serves adults (18 years and older) and welcomes the opportunity to discuss your health concerns and create a personalized plan to achieve your well-being. Please call (863) 687-1321 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Charmineh Pullara, MD is an internist in Lakeland, FL, affiliated with Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She earned her medical degree from American University Of The Caribbean School Of Medicine and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Her approach to care emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She is committed to providing the highest quality care and is dedicated to fostering a strong patient-physician relationship. Dr. Charmineh Pullara provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Overweight: Addressing overweight issues proactively through lifestyle changes and medical guidance is essential for reducing your overall health risks and improving your quality of life.
• Long COVID Disorder: Addressing Long COVID symptoms promptly through proactive healthcare reduces the risk of developing long-term complications like fatigue and organ damage.
• Dysphagia: Managing dysphagia effectively, often with the help of your internist, can help prevent malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia.
• Low Back Pain: Protecting your back health through regular exercise and good posture can prevent debilitating low back pain later in life.
• Ringworm: Catching ringworm early prevents its spread and minimizes discomfort, ensuring your overall health stays strong.
• Sarcoidosis: Preventive healthcare, including screenings and regular doctor visits, plays a vital role in catching sarcoidosis early, when it is often easier to treat and manage.
• Restless Leg Syndrome: Untreated restless legs syndrome can disrupt sleep, leading to other health issues; seeking timely evaluation and treatment is crucial for preventive care.
• Vertigo: Vertigo, or the sensation of spinning, can signal underlying health problems, so early detection through regular checkups with your internist is crucial for preventing more serious complications.
• Bedsores: Managing underlying conditions like diabetes and incontinence can significantly reduce your risk of developing bedsores, keeping you healthier and more mobile.
• Cellulitis: Regular self-exams and prompt medical attention for any skin redness, swelling, or pain can significantly reduce the severity and complications of cellulitis.
• Osteoporosis: Managing osteoporosis effectively involves identifying risk factors like low calcium intake and family history, then working with your doctor to implement preventive measures and treatment to protect your bones.
• Actinic Keratosis: Actinic keratosis is a common skin condition caused by sun exposure that, if left untreated, can sometimes develop into skin cancer, highlighting the importance of regular skin checks and sun protection.

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

• Advance Directive End of Life Planning: Empower yourself and your loved ones with an advance directive to guide your healthcare journey during end-of-life care.
• Arterial Blood Gas Test (ABG): This simple blood test helps your doctor check your blood's oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, giving them a clear picture of your lung and kidney function and helping to prevent serious complications.
• Care Coordination for Complex Conditions and Procedures: Proactively manage your multiple health conditions with coordinated care to prevent complications and improve your overall well-being.
• Diabetes Counseling: Proactively manage your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications through personalized diabetes counseling.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): An EKG is a non-invasive test that provides valuable information about your heart's health, enabling your doctor to make informed decisions about your care and prevent future health issues.
• 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.
• Immunization Administration: Immunizations are a crucial part of preventive care, helping to safeguard your health against serious illnesses.
• Obesity Counseling: Take proactive steps towards a healthier weight with personalized guidance and support to improve your overall well-being.
• Smoking Cessation Counseling: Proactively protect your lungs and overall well-being through evidence-based counseling to help you quit smoking.
• Wellness Examination: Invest in your future health through a wellness examination; this thorough assessment helps detect issues before they become major health concerns, ensuring you stay active and healthy.

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. Charmineh Pullara 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 adopting a personalized nutrition plan and incorporating regular exercise, a patient successfully managed their weight, reducing their risk of developing related health issues and improving their overall well-being.
• By proactively addressing potential Long COVID symptoms, a patient was able to reduce the risk of developing long-term complications and maintain a positive outlook on their health journey.
• By working closely with their internist to identify and address potential swallowing difficulties, a patient proactively reduced their risk of aspiration pneumonia, ensuring a healthier, more comfortable quality of life.

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. Charmineh Pullara:

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

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

How does Dr. Charmineh Pullara manage patients with multiple chronic conditions?

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

What is your approach to preventive care for adults?

Dr. Pullara'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), as well as lifestyle recommendations. We partner with patients to minimize health risks and promote healthy aging through proactive strategies.

I have a complex or undiagnosed set of symptoms. Can you help?

Yes, internists are experts in complex diagnostics. Dr. Pullara excels at investigating challenging symptoms, ordering the appropriate advanced tests, and putting the pieces of the puzzle together to reach an accurate diagnosis.

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

Dr. Pullara and our team carefully review all medications, a process called polypharmacy management. This allows us to identify potential drug interactions, eliminate unnecessary prescriptions, and ensure the most effective and simplest treatment plan possible for our patients.

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

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

How do you help patients with healthy aging and geriatric concerns?

Dr. Pullara's practice focuses on helping patients maintain their independence and function as they age. Key assessments include fall risk screening, cognitive health evaluations, and medication reviews to ensure safety and appropriateness for older adults. We strive to provide comprehensive care for 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, Shingrix for shingles, and pneumonia vaccines (Prevnar 20 or Vaxneuvance and Pneumovax 23) are particularly important for this age group. These vaccines significantly reduce the risk of complications from these potentially life-threatening diseases.

1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd
Lakeland FL 33805
Phone: (863) 687-1321

Dr. Charmineh Pullara, 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): 1922460559

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. Charmineh Pullara 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.