Most of us have health questions from time to time. Is this cough something I should have checked? How long should I wait before seeing a doctor when I’m sick? Do I really need an annual checkup if I feel healthy? What about that headache that keeps coming back?
Knowing when to manage a minor health problem at home and when to make an appointment can sometimes be confusing. That is one of the reasons having a primary care provider is so important. Your primary care provider can help you understand what is normal, what deserves attention, and what may require more immediate care.
Here at Cullman Internal Medicine, we want to empower our patients to help them make the best decisions about their health and care. Read on for some of the most common everyday health questions.
When Should I Go to the Doctor When I’m Sick?
Many common illnesses, including mild colds, can be treated at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications when appropriate. However, there are times when seeing a doctor is a good idea.
If your symptoms are severe, getting worse instead of better, or lasting longer than expected, contact your healthcare provider. A fever that persists, a worsening cough, significant sinus or ear pain, dehydration, or symptoms that interfere with normal daily activities may warrant an appointment. If you have an underlying medical condition that could make an infection more serious, be aware and monitor your symptoms closely. When in doubt, seek medical assistance.
Some symptoms require urgent medical attention:
Sudden weakness or confusion
Signs of a serious allergic reaction
This list is not exhaustive, but these are times when you should not wait for a routine doctor’s appointment. In these situations, seek emergency medical care.
When you are unsure, calling us at Cullman Internal Medicine can be a helpful first step. Our healthcare team can help determine what type of care you need.
Do I Really Need an Annual Checkup If I Feel Fine?
Yes. Preventive care is about more than treating problems when you are sick. A wellness visit gives us an opportunity to review your overall health, check important measurements such as blood pressure and weight, discuss lifestyle habits, review medications, and determine which screenings are appropriate for your age and risk factors.
Many health conditions do not cause obvious symptoms in their early stages. High blood pressure and high cholesterol, for example, can be present without making you feel sick. Regular visits can help identify potential concerns before they become larger problems.
Your preventive care needs also change throughout life, so an annual visit is a good opportunity to make sure your healthcare plan is keeping up with those changes.
When Should I Worry About a Headache?
Most headaches are not caused by a serious medical condition. Stress, dehydration, lack of sleep, illness, muscle tension, and other common factors can trigger headaches.
However, a new or unusually severe headache deserves attention, particularly if it develops suddenly or is accompanied by symptoms such as confusion, weakness, difficulty speaking, vision changes, fainting, fever, or a stiff neck.
You should also talk with your primary care doctor at Cullman Internal Medicine if headaches are becoming more frequent, changing in pattern, interfering with your daily life, or requiring frequent use of pain medication.
Keeping track of when headaches occur and what you were doing beforehand can sometimes help your provider identify possible triggers.
How Do I Know If I’m Getting Enough Sleep?
Sleep is an important part of overall health, yet many adults do not get enough quality sleep.
Most adults need about seven to nine hours of sleep each night. However, the quality of your sleep matters too. If you regularly wake up feeling exhausted, have difficulty staying awake during the day, or frequently wake during the night, it may be worth discussing with your doctor.
Loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, morning headaches, and excessive daytime sleepiness can sometimes be signs of sleep apnea. Sleep problems are not something you simply have to accept as part of getting older. We can help determine whether further evaluation is appropriate.
When Should I Get a Medical Test or Screening?
Not every test is necessary for every person, and more testing is not always better. The screenings you need depend on factors such as your age, sex, family history, lifestyle, and personal health history.
Routine preventive care may include screenings for conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, certain cancers, and osteoporosis, depending on your individual circumstances.
Rather than relying on a general checklist found online, talk with us about which screenings are appropriate for you. We can help you understand what you need, when you need it, and why.
Do I Need to See a Doctor About Stress or Feeling Overwhelmed?
Stress is a normal part of life, but ongoing stress can affect both mental and physical health.
If you are regularly feeling overwhelmed, having trouble sleeping, experiencing changes in appetite, struggling to concentrate, or finding that stress is interfering with work, relationships, or daily activities, it is worth talking with your healthcare provider.
You do not have to wait until a problem becomes severe before asking for help. We can listen to your concerns, discuss possible causes, and help connect you with additional resources when appropriate.
What Should I Do If I’m Not Sure Whether Something Is Serious?
One of the most important things to remember is that you do not have to diagnose yourself.
Online health information can be useful for general education, but it cannot take the place of an evaluation by a healthcare professional who knows your medical history. If something does not seem right, contacting your doctor’s office can help you determine the appropriate next step.
Sometimes the answer may be simple reassurance. Other times, your provider at Cullman Internal Medicine may recommend an appointment, testing, treatment, or referral to a specialist. The important thing is knowing when to ask.
Your Primary Care Provider Is Your Healthcare Resource
Primary care is not just about treating a sore throat or managing an annual physical. Your primary care provider can serve as your healthcare home base, helping you navigate everyday illnesses, preventive care, chronic conditions, medications, screenings, and questions about changes in your health.
At Cullman Internal Medicine, our goal is to make it easier for patients to get the information and care they need. Whether you have a new symptom, a question about preventive care, or simply want to make sure you are staying on track with your health, talking with your healthcare provider is a good place to start.
You do not need to wait until something is seriously wrong to ask a question. In healthcare, sometimes the most practical question is simply, “Should I have this checked?”
And if you are wondering, the answer is often: it is better to ask. Here at Cullman Internal Medicine, we welcome your questions and look forward to partnering with you. Please reach out.
Bethany is a board-certified family medicine Nurse Practitioner. She grew up in Cullman, watching her father, a physician, and her mother, a nurse, care for patients with both their hearts and hands. She learned from them that not only working hard, but loving and treating patients like family would develop the career that best suited her desire to help others. She has been caring for patients at Cullman Internal Medicine for 25 years. Building long-lasting relationships with her patients is important to her, and she genuinely enjoys being a part of their lives. She strives to provide compassionate, competent medical care which fosters an environment of mutual trust and respect.
Bobi Jo Creel is a board-certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ANCC-ACNP) with over 20 years of nursing experience. Born and raised in Cullman County, Alabama, she is deeply committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to adults and seniors in her local community.
Alicia is from Thomasville, Ga, but practiced in Burlington, Iowa from 2017 until joining Cullman Internal Medicine in 2025. Most of Alicia’s experience is in rural primary healthcare, which is where she learned of her passion for caring for patients with diabetes. From 2023 – 2025, her sole focus was assisting individuals in manage their condition more effectively, with a strong emphasis on long-term health and prevention of complications.
Pam is a lifelong resident of Marshall County and a graduate of Albertville High School, Class of 1976. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1981. Pam began her career in emergency and critical care nursing, serving in both the ER and ICU. When Marshall Medical Center North (MMCN) opened in 1990, she became the Nurse Manager of the ICU.
Stacey Varden is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner who works alongside Dr. Jeremy Stidham in Internal Medicine. She earned her Master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and collectively has over 18 years of nursing experience. Before becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she served as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Children’s of Alabama, where she developed a strong foundation in acute and compassionate patient care.
Lorie Jones is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner born & raised in Cullman, Alabama. Her nursing career began in 1997 after earning her Licensed Practical Nursing diploma from Wallace State Community College, followed by an Associate Degree in Nursing in 2000. She gained extensive clinical experience working at both Woodland Medical Center and Cullman Regional Medical Center before advancing her education to become a nurse practitioner.
Mollie Dockery, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a passion for providing compassionate, evidence-based care to patients of all ages. With over 14 years of nursing experience and two years in advanced practice, Mollie brings a deep understanding of patient needs, especially in managing chronic conditions and promoting preventive health. Her approach is rooted in empathy, education, and a strong commitment to individualized care.
Kristy is known for providing personalized, expert care in Sleep and Lung Health, where she empowers patients thru education, awareness, supportive listening and compassionate guidance. A Cullman native, Kristy is deeply rooted in our community and shares a sincere
With over 15 years of nursing experience, Nancy Cornell is a dedicated and compassionate Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) committed to providing high-quality care to her patients. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Western Governors University in 2017, she went on to complete her Master’s degree in Nursing in 2022. For two years, Nancy has been a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, applying her expertise in community urgent care to treat a diverse range of health needs.
Clark Still is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Cullman Internal Medicine. Clark is also the founder of New Beginnings Counseling of Cullman. He specializes in Christian-Based Professional Counseling.
Charlie Thornton has spent more than 24 years caring for others in a variety of healthcare roles—including paramedic, registered nurse, and for the past 10 years, nurse practitioner. He began his training at Wallace State Community College, completed his nursing degree at Jacksonville State University, and went on to earn graduate degrees from the University of South Alabama, where he became board certified as both a Family Nurse Practitioner and an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
Jeremy Stidham, M.D., is a board-certified internal medicine physician who has been caring for patients in Cullman for more than 15 years. He currently serves as President of Cullman Internal Medicine and the Cullman Physician Alliance, where he works alongside a team of dedicated colleagues to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.
Nathan is a highly experienced Nurse Practitioner with a rich background spanning over two decades in healthcare. For the past ten years, Nathan has been a vital part of the CIM team as a Nurse Practitioner, also serving as a hospitalist nurse practitioner when needed. His extensive foundation was built over 19 years as a critical care registered nurse. Nathan is an alumnus of Wallace State Community College (RN), Jacksonville State College (BSN), and UAB (MSN), holding his nurse practitioner certification from the ANCC.
Dr. Benjamin Rogers obtained a degree in Classical Studies from Hillsdale College before attending medical school at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He then completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Wake Forest University. He joined Cullman Internal Medicine in 2012.
Morgan McHugh, CRNP, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a special focus on diabetes management. A native of Hartselle, Alabama, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Dr. Erin Britt is a compassionate physician proudly serving her local community as a hometown provider. Raised in Cullman, Alabama, Dr. Britt graduated from Cullman High School. Her desire to care for others lead to enrollment at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM), where she earned her medical degree.
The goal of my practice is to help patients achieve optimal health. Eating a balanced diet, exercising, taking care of our mental health, and achieving quality sleep are all crucial for feeling good and living a healthy, enjoyable life. However, sometimes weight gain and hormone imbalances can get in the way.
Naykala is a Triple Board-Certified physician with over 25yrs of experience, dedicated to delivering comprehensive patient-centered care. Her practice emphasizes a whole-body approach, combining traditional Internal Medicine with advanced training in Obesity Medicine and Medical Acupuncture. She evaluates complex medical conditions with a focus on identifying root causes–especially those contributing to weight gain—and provides thoughtful, integrative treatment plans. Naykala’s 10 years of service in the U.S. Air Force deepened her commitment to non-pharmacologic pain management, and acupuncture has become a meaningful part of how she cares for patients.
Dr Parker grew up in Cullman County and attended West Point High School. His path to medicine was not direct. After high school, He attended Wallace State Community college and received an associates degree in business. Shortly after graduating Brian was married to his wife Karen. Unsure of what to do next he left his job as a butcher for the local Walmart distribution center where he would work for the next 7 years. After reflecting on his goals and desire to help others he decided to pursue medicine.
Dr. Vintson is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician originally from Cullman. She graduated medical school from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Auburn, AL, and completed residency training at UAB Family Medicine in Huntsville. Dr. Vintson practices medicine seeing the patient as a whole person, understanding there are many components of one’s life that affects overall health and wellness. She loves seeing a variety of patient ages throughout her day and feels this is what makes family medicine and primary care so special. In addition to routine primary care she especially enjoys women’s health and preventative medicine, including Pap smears and menopause care, as well as diabetes management, nutrition, and mental health care. Dr. Vintson loves the Lord and enjoys time on the lake with her family, fishing, hunting, gardening, and podcasts. She has two young children and a loving husband of 12 years.
Dr. Adam Harrison is proud to serve his hometown of Cullman as a dedicated physician. A local from East Elementary through Cullman High, he earned his Biomedical Sciences degree from Auburn University, completed medical school at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and his residency at UAB Huntsville Family Medicine. Drawn by the opportunity to give back to his community, Dr. Harrison chose to build his career at Cullman Internal Medicine.