Locations:
SearchThe Short Answer from one of our experts
A: Physician assistants (PAs) team up with your doctor and other healthcare providers to care for you. They earn a master’s degree after completing an intense medical curriculum from an accredited physician assistant program (often housed in a medical school).
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Physician assistants graduate as medical generalists. They may practice in a primary care setting or a specialty setting, teaming up with a physician or a surgeon. They can assess, diagnose, treat, prescribe medication, and educate you about health conditions and about wellness.
As our population ages, physicians will rely more and more on physician assistants and other advanced care practitioners, such as nurse practitioners, to improve access to quality medical care.
— Cleveland Clinic Education Institute Executive Dean James Young, MD
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Changing how you breathe, gargling water and distracting yourself are all common ways to stop your diaphragm from spasming
Seek emergency care for vomit that’s red, black, brown or resembles coffee grounds
Forceful vomiting and stomach acid in your esophagus can cause a sore throat that lasts days or even weeks
Acute pain goes away with treatment, while chronic pain is long-lasting and can be complex to manage
Vanilla extract won’t keep mosquitoes away for long, if at all — and could even attract other bugs, like wasps or flies
Keeping your skin dry, wearing the right clothes and investing in anti-chafe products can help minimize skin irritation
Dehydration, medication and nasal congestion are common culprits
Smoking, medications, acid reflux and even aging can all leave you with a bad taste in your mouth
If you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may help
If you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment style
If you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foods
