Here at Dan G. Alexander, MD, we are proud to offer a full spectrum of services to our patients to treat a variety of conditions. Our highly trained professionals have years of experience in diagnosing and treating these conditions, and we are happy to help find a solution to best suit your individual needs. Some of our services include:

We strive to create individualized treatment plans for each of our patients as each person has a unique history and unique needs. For a complete list of our services or to schedule a consultation, contact us today at (724) 947-5535 .

Preventative Primary Care

Preventive care is an essential component of lasting health. Dan G. Alexander M.D. is a board-certified internal medicine physician with more than 25 years of experience providing exceptional preventive primary care services in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. To schedule a wellness visit, a health screening, or a primary care appointment, call the office today or request a visit online.

Dr. Alexander offers outstanding preventive primary care with three main goals: helping you avoid illness and disease, early detection of any new health condition, and providing the safest and most effective treatment for any conditions that do arise.

As your primary care physician, Dr. Alexander draws on his extensive training and experience in all aspects of internal medicine to provide you with comprehensive health care. A caring, compassionate doctor, he forms long-term bonds with patients, which allows him to carefully monitor any changes in their health and to design personalized treatment plans to address acute or chronic conditions.

What is involved in preventive care?
Dr. Alexander believes that preventive care is the cornerstone of good health, and offers a variety of preventive care services, including:

  • Annual physical exams
  • Well-woman and well-men visits
  • Immunizations

Dr. Alexander also offers medication maintenance and management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes. Ongoing monitoring can prevent your disease from worsening and help you avoid severe health complications.

Which health screenings are available?
During your annual physical, Dr. Alexander checks your blood pressure to screen for hypertension, heart rate, and performs a physical exam to check for signs of trouble. Depending on your age, sex, and health history, he may also perform additional screenings for medical conditions, such as:

  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Heart failure
  • Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
  • Cancer
  • Kidney disease
  • Respiratory illnesses

Dr. Alexander uses advanced diagnostics that can detect many conditions in the earliest stages when treatment has the highest chance of success.

What can I do on my own to stay healthy?
Lifestyle choices can go a long way in preventing illness and promoting good health. Proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and reduction of stress have all been shown to offer a variety of health benefits. Dr. Alexander offers nutritional and exercise counseling and can provide you with additional information about healthy habits that can enhance your health.

Many serious health conditions are preventable. Routine preventive care visits ensure you are as healthy as possible. To schedule a primary preventive care appointment, call Dan G. Alexander M.D. today, or make an appointment online.

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Addiction Medicine

Opioid abuse and other types of addiction cause a range of negative consequences, including job loss, risky or illegal behavior, and severe health complications. Opioid overdose kills hundreds of Americans every single day. Addiction medicine provides the help you need to detoxify from drug dependency and regain control over your life. For more than 15 years, Dan G. Alexander M.D., a board-certified physician in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, has helped patients overcome substance abuse and dependency, proving himself to be an expert in addiction medicine. To schedule an evaluation, call the office today, or make an appointment online.

Addiction medicine refers to prescription medications that help people detoxify from drug dependency and/or prevent relapse. Addiction medicine is available for many types of substance use disorders, such as patches or gum for nicotine addiction or antidepressants used in treatments for alcohol addiction.

Addiction medicine is particularly helpful in treating opioid use disorder as part of a combined treatment approach that includes counseling and other therapies.

What is opioid use disorder?
Opioid use is an epidemic that results in an estimated 130 deaths every day in the United States. Opioid use disorder involves the abuse of substances that act on opioid receptors in the brain, including prescription pain medications such as oxycodone or morphine and illegal drugs such as heroin. Opioids create a state of euphoria, or “high,” and they’re highly addictive. Many people experience extreme withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using opioid drugs.

What are opioid withdrawal symptoms?
Opioid withdrawal causes symptoms such as:

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle aches

Depression, anxiety, and irritability are also associated with opioid withdrawal.

How does addiction medicine work?
Dr. Alexander is a board-certified internal medicine physician with more than 15 years of experience using addiction medicine to help patients detoxify from substance dependency and prevent relapse for long-term recovery from opioid addiction and other types of substance use disorders.

Dr. Alexander designs personalized drug addiction treatment plans based on your personal needs. Depending on the type of substance use disorder you have and other individual factors, he may recommend one of the following addiction medications.

Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine acts on opioid receptors in a way that’s similar to opioids, without causing euphoria. It can prevent you from experiencing withdrawal symptoms while you detoxify from true opioids.

Vivitrol®
Vivitrol contains naloxone, a medication that blocks opioid receptors. In higher doses, naloxone is used on its own to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Vivitrol contains a lower dose that makes it impossible to become high from taking standard opioids, which is useful in preventing relapse in the early stages of drug addiction.

Suboxone®
Suboxone is a medication that combines buprenorphine and naloxone for maximum effectiveness.

Once you have entirely detoxed from drug use, Dr. Alexander helps you wean off of addiction medication while you continue counseling as you progress on your journey to long-term recovery.

If you struggle with dependency on opioids or any other type of substance, don’t wait to seek help. Call Dan G. Alexander M.D. to schedule an evaluation, or make an appointment online today.

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Drug Addiction Treatment

Opioids, illegal drugs, alcohol, and other substances can create addictive behavior that has devastating consequences on people’s emotional and physical health. If your work or personal relationships are suffering due to drug addiction, there’s no shame in seeking treatment. For more than 15 years, Dan G. Alexander M.D., a board-certified physician in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, has helped patients overcome substance abuse and dependency, proving himself to be an expert in addiction medicine. To schedule an evaluation for drug addiction treatment, call the office today, or make an appointment online.

When you suffer from addiction, also called substance use disorder, you can’t control how much or how often you use drugs or other addictive substances. You may wish to stop using drugs, but find you aren’t able to do so.

Additional signs and symptoms of addiction include:

  • Needing more and more of the drug to achieve the desired effect
  • Intense cravings and/or intrusive thoughts about the drug
  • Spending a lot of time and money obtaining drugs
  • Failing to meet school, family, or work obligations
  • Engaging in risky behavior, such as driving, while under the influence
  • Having withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop using the drug

If you struggle to control your use of illegal drugs, prescription medications, or alcohol even though continuing to do so has negative consequences for your job performance, personal relationships, or physical health, you may need treatment for drug addiction.

What is involved in drug addiction treatment?

Dr. Alexander is a board-certified internal medicine physician with more than 15 years of experience helping people overcome drug addiction with long-term success. He designs personalized programs based on your individual needs to help you:

  • Detox from dependency
  • Manage withdrawal symptoms
  • Develop strategies to cope with cravings
  • Prevent relapse
  • Regain emotional balance
  • Strengthen communication skills to build supportive relationships

Drug addiction treatment begins with a comprehensive physical evaluation, a review of your health history, and a mental health assessment. Based on the type of substance abuse disorder you have and other individual factors, your drug addiction treatment may include:

  • Addiction medicine
  • Treatment of drug-related medical conditions
  • Counseling
  • Urine drug screenings
  • A long-term follow-up plan

When treating addiction, it’s critical to address underlying emotional and mental health conditions as well as focus on changing behaviors that enable your drug use. For this reason, counseling services provided by a qualified, independent mental health provider are available onsite at Dr. Alexander’s practice.

What is addiction medicine for opioids?

Dr. Alexander has the expertise to prescribe Suboxone®, Vivitrol®, and other medications. These medicines can minimize symptoms due to opioid withdrawal or prevent opioids from making you feel “high” to help you break the cycle of substance abuse.

There’s no shame in seeking help for drug addiction. If you or a family member suffers from a substance use disorder, call Dan G. Alexander M.D. for drug addiction treatment, or make an appointment online today.

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Maintenance Medication

If you have a chronic condition that requires long-term use of medication, it’s essential to be monitored by a skilled medical provider. Dan G. Alexander M.D. is a board-certified internal medicine physician in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, with more than 25 years of clinical experience, so you can trust his expertise for exceptional maintenance medication and chronic disease management. To schedule an evaluation for maintenance of diabetes, hypertension, or any other condition, call the office today, or make an appointment online.

If you take prescription medication on an ongoing basis, it’s important to have regular monitoring by a qualified provider. This helps ensure that you have an accurate dosage of each medicine you take-- enough to control your medical condition and relieve symptoms with minimal side effects. Ongoing monitoring also allows your provider to track the progress of your condition and address any new symptoms or concerns as they arise.

Dr. Alexander is a board-certified physician with extensive experience providing a broad range of maintenance medication services.

Which conditions require maintenance medication?

Dr. Alexander has expertise providing medication management for a wide variety of health conditions, including:

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • High cholesterol
  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Arthritis
  • Insomnia

Dr. Alexander also offers comprehensive management of several chronic diseases, such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Heart failure and other cardiac conditions

Diabetes maintenance is critical in preventing severe health complications associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

If you suffer from chronic pain, Dr. Alexander can offer pain management options that don’t rely on opioid medications, so you can avoid the risk of addiction.

What is involved in diabetes maintenance?

There’s no cure for diabetes, but controlling it is possible. With proper monitoring and care, you can continue to lead a robust, productive life despite your diabetes diagnosis.

Expert diabetes follow-up and maintenance with Dr. Alexander include:

  • Blood sugar monitoring
  • Insulin management
  • Monitoring for diabetic foot, eye, and nerve problems
  • Treatment of diabetes-related conditions
  • Diabetic wound care
  • Diabetes education programs

If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and getting plenty of exercise can make a big difference in your long-term health. To help you make good food choices and stay active, nutritional, and exercise counseling are available as part of your individual diabetes maintenance program.

Does prediabetes require management?

If you have prediabetes, Dr. Alexander can help you prevent full-blown type 2 diabetes. Routine blood sugar monitoring, healthy lifestyle habits, and medications that control blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure can all help reduce your risk of developing diabetes.

If you have a chronic health condition that requires medication, you’ll benefit significantly from outstanding medication maintenance with a board-certified expert. Call Dan G. Alexander M.D. today to schedule an evaluation, or make an appointment online.

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Heart Failure

Heart failure is a serious medical condition that affects over 5 million adults in the United States. Congestive heart disease and other types of heart failure can be fatal without treatment, but regular monitoring and medication maintenance can help you avoid dangerous complications. Dan G. Alexander M.D. is a board-certified internal medicine physician in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, with more than 25 years of clinical experience who provides outstanding care for men and women who suffer from heart failure. To schedule an evaluation for heart failure, call the office today, or make an appointment online.

Heart failure is a condition in which your heart’s ability to pump blood is reduced. Over time, heart failure results in complications such as enlarging of heart muscle mass, constricting of your blood vessels, and insufficient blood supply to the rest of your body.

There are several different types of heart failure which can have many causes, including:

  • Birth defects
  • Heart valve insufficiency or prolapse
  • Cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle)
  • Cardiac inflammation (myocarditis)
  • Lung disease
  • Coronary artery disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes

Smoking, eating a high-cholesterol diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and being overweight can increase your risk of developing heart failure.

What are the symptoms of heart failure?

In the early stages of heart failure, you may not have any signs or symptoms. As the disease progresses, you may have the following symptoms.

  • Shortness of breath
  • Coughing or wheezing
  • Fatigue
  • Swelling or fluid buildup in your legs and feet
  • Increased heart rate or palpitations
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Chest pain

Left untreated, heart failure can result in severe complications or death. The good news is that with treatment, your condition can improve and you can reduce your risk of complications and continue to live a full life. Dr. Alexander is a board-certified physician with exceptional skills who can help you manage your heart condition.

How is heart failure treated?

Heart failure is a chronic condition that has no cure, but you can successfully control it with ongoing care from a qualified provider. Dr. Alexander offers comprehensive monitoring and medication maintenance for most types of heart failure.

To design your customized maintenance program, Dr. Alexander performs a physical exam, reviews your health history, and discusses your symptoms with you in detail. To diagnose the exact cause and severity of your heart failure, he may order blood work, a chest X-ray, a stress test, and other diagnostic procedures.

Based on your results, your treatment plan may include:

  • Beta-blockers, diuretics, and other medications
  • Blood pressure or cholesterol management
  • Management of diabetes or any other contributing conditions
  • Nutritional and exercise counseling

Severe cases of heart failure may require an implanted device such as a defibrillator, or a surgical procedure. Dr. Alexander works with your specialist to coordinate your care, ensuring you receive the highest-quality medical treatment for your heart condition.

If you’re concerned about heart failure, call Dan G. Alexander M.D. today to schedule an evaluation, or make an appointment online.

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CDL Exams

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) requires regular physical exams to apply for and maintain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Dan G. Alexander M.D., a board-certified internal medicine physician in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, is certified to perform CDL exams and can issue the paperwork required by the DOT. If you’re interested in driving a commercial vehicle, or it’s time for your next DOT physical, call the office today, or make an appointment online.

The federal Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that all commercial drivers regularly pass a physical examination to verify that they are physically and mentally capable of operating a commercial motor vehicle. This protects other drivers and passengers on the road as well as your safety as a commercial driver.

What happens during a CDL exam?

When Dr. Alexander performs a commercial driver’s license (CDL) exam, he reviews your health history and performs a comprehensive physical evaluation that’s similar to your annual check-up; you also need to provide a urine sample. In addition to the physical exam, Dr. Alexander asks you a series of questions which help him assess your mental health and your overall ability to perform your job as a commercial driver.

Once Dr. Alexander determines that you are physically fit to drive a commercial vehicle, he issues your official DOT medical certificate.

What is required to pass a CDL exam?

The primary requirements to pass a DOT physical exam include:

  • 20/40 vision in both eyes (corrective lenses are permitted)
  • Ability to hear a forced whisper at a distance of at least five feet
  • Blood sugar of 200 mg/dL or less
  • Maximum blood pressure of 160/100 with or without medication
  • No use of a schedule 1 drug, amphetamine, narcotic, or any habit forming drug or medication

If you have an existing health condition, it may not disqualify you from obtaining a CDL. Diabetes that is controlled with oral medications is permitted. Some cardiovascular conditions are allowed if you can pass a stress test and you have a letter from your primary care physician stating that you can safely operate a commercial vehicle.

A few conditions will automatically prevent you from obtaining a CDL. If you’re color blind or you have diabetes that requires insulin injections or a pump to control, you’re not eligible to drive a commercial vehicle.

How often do I need to have CDL exams?

Once you receive your DOT medical certificate, it’s valid for 24 months. If you have a heart condition or another condition that could become worse before 24 months have passed, you may be required to schedule your next CDL exam at an earlier date to maintain a valid commercial driver’s license.

To schedule your next CDL exam, call Dan G. Alexander M.D. today, or make an appointment online.

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School Physicals

School-aged children in Pennsylvania are required to have at least three physical exams during their school career. Dan G. Alexander M.D. is a physician in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, who’s board-certified in internal medicine, and has expertise performing school physicals for teenagers. To schedule your teen’s next school physical, call the office today, or make an appointment online.

The state of Pennsylvania requires students to have physical exams within four months prior to the start of the school year as follows:

  • The first year they attend school
  • 6th grade
  • 11th grade

Individual schools can apply for permission to require physical exams in different grades as long as at least three exams are performed during the student’s school career, so you should always check with your child’s school for confirmation of physical exam requirements.

Individual schools can apply for permission to require physical exams in different grades as long as at least three exams are performed during the student’s school career, so you should always check with your child’s school for confirmation of physical exam requirements.

Pennsylvania also requires that all children who attend school receive immunizations before the first day of school, as follows:

  • The first year of school
  • 7th grade
  • 12th grade

You can apply for an exemption from immunizations for your child for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons.

Additional physical exams may be required for students to participate in certain extracurricular activities such as sports. Dr. Alexander performs physicals for high school students.

What is involved in a school physical?

Dr. Alexander is a friendly, board-certified physician with extensive experience performing school physicals. He makes physical exams easy.

During the exam, Dr. Alexander reviews your teen’s health history and asks you and your teen some questions. He then checks that your teen’s height and weight are within the normal range for their age, and evaluates their physical health, including:

  • Blood pressure and heart rate
  • Respiratory and digestive systems
  • Eyes, ears, and throat
  • Reflexes and musculoskeletal function

Dr. Alexander may also order blood work to check for any underlying health conditions. When your teen’s physical exam is complete, they receive immunizations if needed.

How should I prepare for a school physical?

Before your teen’s appointment, you should find out what paperwork is required by their school. Dr. Alexander has standard forms that are accepted by many schools, but if your child’s school has its own forms for physicals, you need to bring them with you to the appointment.

If this is your teen’s first time having a physical with Dr. Alexander, it’s a good idea to bring prior immunization and medical records with you to make sure they receive the appropriate vaccinations, and any previous concerns can be addressed.

To schedule a school physical for your teen, call Dan G. Alexander M.D. today, or make an appointment online.

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Immunizations

Immunizations keep children, teens, adults, and seniors safe from some of the most dangerous illnesses. Pennsylvania requires that all non-exempt children have routine immunizations to attend school, international travel requires certain vaccinations, and others keep you safe from illness and disease in your daily life. Dan G. Alexander M.D. is a board-certified internal medicine physician in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, with more than 25 years of experience providing safe, effective immunizations. For immunizations, call the office today, or make an appointment online.

Immunizations, also known as vaccinations, help the body develop antibodies that fight contagious diseases. They protect against dangerous illnesses; they also help protect vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

How do immunizations work?

Vaccines are made from weakened or killed strains of an infectious virus or bacteria, which trigger the same immune response as the live strains, without actually making you sick. When your body has already produced these specific antibodies, it’s prepared to respond if you do contract the disease.

While no vaccine is 100% effective for every patient, there is extensive evidence that immunizations prevent or lessen the severity of many serious illnesses. They also curb the spread of disease, prevent epidemics, and, in many cases, have entirely eradicated dangerous illnesses within certain populations.

What are the recommended immunizations? 

Dr. Alexander advises that men and women who missed any of the immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in childhood, like measles, be vaccinated as adults. He also recommends that adults and teens have the following.

  • Annual influenza vaccine
  • Pneumonia vaccine
  • Tetanus
  • HPV (human papillomavirus, linked to cancer-causing infections)

There are additional CDC guidelines based on age and health history, and for those who are traveling to certain countries.

Dr. Alexander also offers the pyridostigmine bromide (PB) vaccine for active-duty military personnel who are preparing for deployment.

What are travel vaccines?

When you travel to a foreign country, you may be exposed to diseases you’re not likely to encounter in the US such as yellow fever or polio. Whether you need immunizations to travel depends on your destination. Some countries require vaccination, while others recommend certain vaccines. Speak with Dr. Alexander regarding travel vaccinations and whether you need them for an upcoming trip.

Are vaccines safe?

Modern vaccines have been approved for safety by the FDA. Some vaccines may cause mild side effects, such as low-grade fever or pain at the injection site; these symptoms usually go away within a day or two. More severe reactions are possible but extremely rare, and highly treatable.

Most physicians and researchers agree that benefits to you, your child, and the greater public far outweigh the minimal risks associated with immunizations.

To schedule an appointment for immunizations, call Dan G. Alexander M.D. or book online.

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