Dr. Balal Hussain

Dr. Balal Hussain provides comprehensive family medical care for a wide variety of health concerns affecting patients of all ages, including but not limited to:

Common Chronic Conditions

• Asthma (All Ages) & Allergic Rhinitis: Working collaboratively with you (or your child) to achieve optimal asthma control, minimize symptoms (wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath), improve lung function, and reduce reliance on reliever medications.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD - Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis): Helping individuals with chronic bronchitis or emphysema manage their symptoms effectively, improve exercise tolerance, and maintain the best possible lung function through a multidisciplinary approach.
• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) - Early to Moderate Stages: Primary care strategies to protect and preserve kidney health, including tight blood pressure and glycemic control, and education on kidney-friendly habits.

Common Acute Conditions

• Common Acute Skin Conditions (Rashes, Infections, Bites, Minor Burns): Addressing sudden onset skin problems, providing effective treatment, advising on skin care and hygiene to promote healing, and identifying potential triggers for allergic or irritant conditions.
• Allergic Reactions (Mild to Moderate - e.g., Hay Fever, Hives, Minor Food Allergy Symptoms): Providing advice on allergen avoidance, prescribing antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids or other medications for symptom relief, and discussing options like allergy testing or specialist referrals if indicated for more severe or complex allergies.
• Headaches (Tension-type, Migraine - Acute Symptomatic Relief): Assessment of acute headaches to differentiate types (e.g., tension headache, migraine, cervicogenic), provide initial pain relief strategies (analgesics, NSAIDs, triptans for migraine), identify potential triggers, and rule out serious underlying causes requiring urgent investigation.
• Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (Acute Bronchitis, Community-Acquired Pneumonia): Managing lower respiratory tract infections that cause persistent cough (productive or non-productive), chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and fever.

Dermatological Skin Conditions

• Benign Skin Lesion Assessment & Management (Skin Tags, Seborrheic Keratoses, Cysts, Lipomas): Evaluating common benign (non-cancerous) skin growths like skin tags (acrochordons), seborrheic keratoses ('age spots'), cherry angiomas, dermatofibromas, epidermal cysts, and lipomas. Providing reassurance regarding their benign nature and offering in-office removal (e.g., cryotherapy, snip excision, curettage, simple excision for cysts/lipomas if trained/equipped) for cosmetic reasons, if causing irritation, or for diagnostic certainty if there's any ambiguity.
• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis), Contact Dermatitis & Seborrheic Dermatitis: Diagnosing and managing various forms of eczema/dermatitis, including atopic dermatitis (the most common type, often starting in childhood), irritant/allergic contact dermatitis (identifying and avoiding triggers), and seborrheic dermatitis (affecting scalp, face, chest). Management focuses on skincare education (frequent emollients, gentle cleansers, lukewarm baths), trigger identification and avoidance, topical corticosteroids (appropriate potency for site and severity), topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs like tacrolimus, pimecrolimus), and antihistamines for itch relief. Referral for patch testing or to dermatology for severe or refractory cases.
• Bacterial Skin Infections (Impetigo, Folliculitis, Cellulitis - uncomplicated): Effective antimicrobial therapy for common bacterial skin infections to resolve infection, prevent spread, and alleviate associated symptoms.
• Fungal Skin, Nail & Hair Infections (Tinea species, Candidiasis, Onychomycosis): Managing common mycotic infections to resolve symptoms (itching, scaling, discoloration, inflammation), prevent spread to others, and restore healthy skin and nails.

This list offers some examples of common conditions managed in family practice. A diagnosis is always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Hussain. If your specific health concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic to discuss your needs.

• Diabetes Mellitus Care (Type 1, Type 2, Gestational, Prediabetes): Ongoing support, education, and evidence-based treatment for individuals living with all forms of diabetes to help them manage their condition effectively and maintain a high quality of life.
• Chronic Respiratory Disease Care (Asthma, COPD, Chronic Bronchitis): Providing ongoing care for individuals with asthma or COPD to optimize symptom control, reduce frequency of flare-ups, and improve exercise tolerance and quality of life.
• Urgent Care for Non-Life-Threatening Conditions: Providing assessment and management for urgent medical issues that are not life-threatening but require prompt attention, such as minor allergic reactions, asthma flare-ups, or infections needing timely treatment.
• Evaluation of Acute Musculoskeletal Injuries (Sprains, Strains): Managing common injuries sustained during sports, work, or daily life, with appropriate follow-up and rehabilitation guidance.
• Cardiovascular Disease Management (Stable CAD, Heart Failure, Atrial Fibrillation): Primary care support for patients with established heart conditions, ensuring regular follow-up, adherence to complex treatment plans, and promotion of heart-healthy lifestyles.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Hussain. For a comprehensive understanding of all services, or to discuss your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation.

All services are provided in accordance with the scope of practice for Family Doctors in ON and the ethical and professional standards set by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

At Humber River Family Health Team, family medicine is centered on a collaborative partnership to help individuals like you achieve significant improvements in your health, manage ongoing conditions effectively, and enhance your overall well-being. Dr. Hussain frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• If foot pain, like sharp pain in their heel (plantar fasciitis) or a painful ingrown toenail is a barrier, Dr. Hussain develops strategies aimed at receiving a timely diagnosis of a previously unrecognized condition like obstructive sleep apnea, celiac disease, or hypothyroidism through Dr. Hussain's astute clinical screening and appropriate referral for confirmatory testing, leading to effective treatment and significantly improved quality of life, facilitating the ability to enjoy feeling physically strong, mentally resilient, and emotionally capable of consistently handling the often unpredictable and demanding day-to-day responsibilities of active parenting, grand-parenting, or intensive caregiving roles.
• If getting a comprehensive skin check for new or changing spots, especially with a history of significant sun exposure or family history of skin cancer is preventing you from spontaneously making and eagerly keeping enjoyable plans with a wide circle of friends for various social outings such as dinners out, casual coffee chats, shared recreational activities, or weekend excursions, Dr. Hussain can help. The aim is to achieve their elderly family member maintaining their cherished independence and dignity for a longer period due to Dr. Hussain's comprehensive focus on geriatric syndromes, functional assessment, fall prevention, and medication safety through personalized family medicine care.
• Struggling with wanting to discuss preventative health screenings appropriate for their age, gender, and family history risks? Dr. Hussain helps patients target having all their health concerns, no matter how seemingly small or 'embarrassing' they felt, listened to attentively, validated with respect, and addressed thoroughly and with genuine empathy, dignity, and professionalism by Dr. Hussain, making a return to activities such as patiently, effectively, and enjoyably helping their school-aged children or young grandchildren with challenging homework assignments, creative school projects, or extracurricular learning activities that require sustained patience, focus, and clear communication more achievable.
• For patients where a persistent hoarse voice or a lump in their neck that they are concerned about is a concern, Dr. Hussain focuses on plans that lead to having their pain, whether acute from a recent injury or chronic from a long-standing condition, acknowledged without dismissal, assessed comprehensively using a biopsychosocial lens, and managed more effectively with a personalized, multimodal plan from Dr. Hussain, supporting their ability to comfortably and easily using stairs at home, in their workplace, or in various public places as needed throughout the day, without experiencing significant breathlessness, joint pain, or instability.

Your personalized healthcare plan, developed in discussion with Dr. Hussain, will be thoughtfully designed to help you reach your specific functional, preventative, and wellness objectives. He believes in empowering patients with the knowledge and support needed to take an active role in their health journey.

Dr. Hussain practices at the Humber River Family Health Team, located in the Walkerville, Ottawa Street Village neighborhood of Windsor. The clinic is conveniently located near Windsor Waterfront Parks (Dieppe Gardens, Odette Sculpture Park) and is accessible via Transit Windsor. Free patient parking is often available on-site or on nearby streets.

What is 'continuity of care' and why is it important with a family doctor like Dr. Hussain?

Having continuity of care with Dr. Hussain means that he is your consistent point of contact for your health needs over many years. This long-term relationship allows Dr. Hussain to understand the nuances of your health, track changes over time, and provide care that is personalized and proactive. It improves communication, reduces duplication of tests, helps in managing chronic conditions more effectively, and fosters a stronger doctor-patient partnership, all leading to better overall health management.

How long do appointments with Dr. Hussain typically last?

Typically, a regular appointment with Dr. Hussain to discuss a specific health concern or for a follow-up lasts about 10 to 15 minutes. However, if you are a new patient, scheduled for a complete physical exam, or need to discuss multiple or complex health matters, the appointment will likely be scheduled for a longer duration, such as 30 minutes. Please inform the reception staff at Humber River Family Health Team about the nature of your visit when booking, so sufficient time with Dr. Hussain can be arranged.

How can I find a family doctor (Family Doctor) in ON who is accepting new patients?

Finding a family doctor in Ontario who is accepting new patients can be challenging. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario often has a "Find a Doctor" tool or list on their website. In Ontario, you can register with Health Care Connect. You can also ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations, or contact local community health centres or new patient clinics directly. It may take time to find a doctor.

What exactly is a family doctor (Family Doctor) and what is their role?

A family doctor, often called a general practitioner (GP), is a medical doctor specializing in comprehensive primary healthcare for individuals and families across all ages and life stages. They serve as your first point of contact for most health concerns, offering preventative care (like check-ups, immunizations, and health screenings), diagnosing and treating acute illnesses (such as infections or minor injuries), managing chronic conditions (like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma), providing mental health support, and coordinating your care by referring you to specialists when necessary. A key aspect of their role is building long-term relationships with patients to promote overall health and well-being.

What should I bring with me to my appointment with Dr. Hussain?

For every appointment with Dr. Hussain, please bring your valid provincial health card (e.g., Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card). It is also very helpful to bring an up-to-date list of all your current medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements, along with their dosages. If you have them, any relevant medical records, recent test results (blood work, imaging reports), or letters from other doctors can be useful, especially if you are seeing Dr. Hussain for the first time or for a specific complex problem. Having a written list of your questions or concerns can also help ensure you cover everything you need to during your visit.

Is seeing a family doctor (Family Doctor) covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

Medically necessary visits to a family doctor are typically covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) for eligible residents with a valid health card. However, some services, such as cosmetic procedures or travel medicine consultations, may not be covered and may have an associated fee. Please confirm with Humber River Family Health Team if you have questions about specific services or potential fees.

What does 'preventative care' involve with a family doctor like Dr. Hussain?

Preventative care with Dr. Hussain focuses on keeping you healthy and identifying potential health problems before they become serious or cause symptoms. This involves a range of services tailored to your age, gender, and risk factors, such as routine check-ups (periodic health exams), age-appropriate cancer screenings (e.g., Pap tests, mammograms, colon cancer screening, PSA discussions), immunizations (flu shots, travel vaccines, routine boosters), blood pressure and cholesterol checks, screening for diabetes, counseling on healthy lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, smoking cessation, responsible alcohol use), and risk assessments for various conditions. The primary goal is to prevent illness, detect diseases early when they are most treatable, and promote your long-term health and well-being.

Do I need a referral to see a family doctor (Family Doctor) in ON?

Generally, you do not need a referral to see a family doctor in Ontario if the doctor is accepting new patients. However, finding a family doctor who is accepting new patients can be challenging. Provincial resources like Health Care Connect may be helpful. A referral is usually required from a family doctor to see most medical specialists.

Humber River Family Health Team
2469 Dougall Avenue
Windsor, ON, N8X 1T3

Phone: (519) 916-1446

Dr. Balal Hussain is regulated by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 & Medicine Act, 1991 (Ontario) in ON and is a registered member in good standing with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

Registration Number: 102274

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Hussain-Balal/0290887-102274

Family doctors like Dr. Hussain are skilled in managing a wide range of health issues. 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 family doctor about all aspects of your health, including any treatments received from other practitioners.