Internal and Geriatric Medicine in Santa Monica
Baharvar Medical Clinic provides physician-led medical care for adults and older adults at Parkside Medical Center in Santa Monica. James Baharvar, MD, evaluates new symptoms, monitors ongoing health concerns, reviews medications, and helps patients understand the next steps in their care.
The clinic’s work centers on two connected areas of medicine. Internal medicine addresses health needs across adulthood, including preventive visits, common illnesses, and the long-term management of chronic conditions. Geriatric medicine applies that adult-care foundation to the changing needs that can come with age, multiple diagnoses, several medications, mobility changes, and greater involvement from family caregivers.
Medical Care Built Around the Whole Adult Patient
A new symptom does not always belong to one body system, and an ongoing condition rarely exists by itself. A patient may be managing blood pressure while also experiencing fatigue, sleep problems, changes in balance, or side effects from medication. Internal medicine looks at these concerns together instead of treating each one as an isolated issue.
For older adults, that broader view is especially important. A treatment that is appropriate for one condition may affect another condition, interact with a medication, or make daily activities harder. Geriatric-focused care considers the medical problem as well as function, safety, medication burden, and the patient’s priorities.
Internal Medicine Services
Internal medicine visits support adults who need a regular physician for routine health needs, new concerns, or continued monitoring. The exact evaluation and treatment plan depend on the patient’s history, symptoms, examination, and any testing the physician determines is appropriate.
- Adult wellness and preventive visits, including review of personal risk factors and age-appropriate health needs
- Evaluation of new or changing symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, digestive concerns, breathing changes, or unexplained discomfort
- Monitoring of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol concerns, and other ongoing adult health issues
- Medication review to confirm what the patient takes, why each medication is used, and whether any concerns need attention
- Review of outside records, laboratory findings, and specialist recommendations when available and relevant
- Care coordination and referrals when evaluation by another physician or service is needed
Geriatric Medicine Services
Geriatric medicine is designed for older adults whose care may involve more than a single diagnosis. Visits may address several concerns at once and help patients and families understand how health changes affect everyday life.
- Health assessments for older adults with multiple medical concerns
- Medication review for patients taking several prescriptions, over-the-counter products, or supplements
- Discussion of falls, balance changes, mobility limitations, and other factors that may affect safety
- Evaluation of memory or thinking concerns and guidance on appropriate next steps
- Review of nutrition, sleep, energy, and changes in the ability to complete daily activities
- Care planning conversations that include a family member or caregiver when the patient requests or authorizes their involvement
Dr. Baharvar’s reported areas of expertise include chronic hypertension and high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, chronic diabetes, diabetic emergencies, lower back pain, underactive thyroid, and upper respiratory infections. These conditions can affect more than one part of a patient’s health, so evaluation may include medication review, symptom assessment, review of prior test results, and coordination with specialists when needed.
A listed area of expertise does not mean every condition can be managed through a routine office appointment. Diabetic emergencies, chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, stroke symptoms, or other potentially life-threatening problems require immediate emergency evaluation.
Areas of Expertise for Dr. Baharvar
Additional Areas of Care for Dr. Baharvar
Dr. Baharvar treated a small portion of Medicare patients for the following conditions and treatments.
- Enlarged prostate
- Inflamed tendons of the upper body
- Atrial fibrillation and flutter
- Sleep apnea
- Varicose veins
- Osteoporosis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Emphysema & COPD
- Acute kidney failure
- Joint pain
- Anxiety & depression
- Conjunctivitis
- UTI
- Bronchitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Alzheimer's disease
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Neuropathy
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Acute sinusitis
- Intestinal diverticulosis
- Insomnia
- Pneumonia and respiratory infection
- Intestinal or bowel obstruction
- Prostate inflammation or infection
- Congestive heart failure
- Anemia
- Hearing loss and impairment
- Heart valve disorders
- Menopause
- Ear conditions and infections
- Chronic nasal allergies
- Heart failure
- Acid reflux
- Enlarged thyroid
- Schizophrenia
- Hemorrhoids
- Chronic anemia
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Stomach inflammation
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Non-Alzheimer's dementia (chronic)
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Overactive thyroid
- Ventricular tachycardia
- Scoliosis
- Skin infections & cellulitis
- Parathyroid gland disorder
- Gout
- Gastroenteritis
- Ankle or foot injury
- Acute gallbladder or bile duct inflammation
- Urinary tract infection
When to Contact the Clinic
You may contact Baharvar Medical Clinic if you are looking for an internal medicine physician, need follow-up for an ongoing adult health condition, have a new non-emergency concern, or want medical care that accounts for the added complexity of aging. When calling, describe the reason for the visit and ask what records, medication lists, identification, or insurance information the office would like you to bring.
For a life-threatening emergency or symptoms that may require immediate attention, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not rely on a website message or routine office call for emergency care.