Locations
Office
Sanford, NC
My office hours
Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Show morePhone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Cigna
First Health Group Corporation
UnitedHealth Group
Wellpath Select Health Insurance
Aetna Life Insurance Company
About
Bio
Family physician for 30+ years in a small North Carolina town who aims to provide the best medical care that can be found anywhere....compassionate care......patient-centric care...
We tell our staff that when a patient calls to be seen, our first question to them should be "how quickly can you get here". We try to be available for our patients...TRULY available...24/7.
I feel that as their family doc, it is my job to stay on top of their care, whether in my office , or in a consultants office, or the hospital. We stay in close contact with our patients as we help them through the current day medical maze.
My staff is just as dedicated, and truly the best. They care. I think that is why we have hundreds of patients that travel several hours to come see us.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Family Medicine
Doctor Q&A
51 Answers
18 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Need more info: This is called breakthrough bleeding, and it can mean alot of things...From being normal for you, (reflecting cycles trying to establish a normal patt... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Rib/Chest wall pain: Many causes of rib pain. One with painful joints between the sternum and the ribs due to costochondritis(c) and it can hurt more when lying down at ni... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Vertigo?: Excellent article from the mayo clinic. Check it out.
http://tinyurl.com/ymaazb
there are exercises you can do to help ( also on mayo site) if thi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Brown Spotting: It can be totally normal, though aggravating. The brown spotting, is usually due to a little blood in the vaginal area.The brown color suggests it may... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
POTS: Good ole postural tachycardia syndrome- good information can be found at- http://tinyurl.Com/akcczmf
several of my patients with pots do not sweat ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
A,B or C: Could be any or all of the above. Need to know more...I would suggest that you see/ call your doc. Based on your question, and if you are trying to ge... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Always possible: I was taught in my training and have seen in 35 years of experience that when a woman who has "pregnancy potential" comes in with unusual menses or cy... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
About ten years: Everything you ever wanted to know about all immunizations, including the tetanus vaccine can be found at-
http://www.Cdc.Gov/vaccines/
great ma... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
"Popping" joints: I had always been told it came from bone on bone when it hurt, and then more ligamentous or involving cartilage if it did not hurt.
A better explan... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
It is possible: During residency many years ago, the chief of surgery talked about folks that had a smoldering appendix. He felt that folks that started to have appen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Yes: I am assuming you have ruled out any type of infection. I also do not know your age. During a woman's sexual prime, secretions are likely to be greate... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Vanilla Extract: Many recipes use more than this. A home dental treatment for toothaches uses at least this much. So no..It is not harmful. Folks that talk about the d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Pain: Really need more information..It could be anything in that area, and all have slightly different triggers, relievers, and features. Like pleurisy ( hu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Blood glucose levels: This is information from one of our nation's best diabetes centers..Their website has a wealth of information-
http://www.Joslin.Org/info/goals_for... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Yes....but: Most of my patients stabilize and thru multiple modalities actually improve. Check out dr. Teitelbaum's data . He actually claims cure and or marked i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Visual White out: A brief or transient loss of vision, whether it is a blackout or white out, can be quite significant. The differential diagnosis could be a special ki... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Probably not the med: Though meds can cause dizziness..In this case, in light of the sinus infection...I usually see it coming from the fact that the sinus drainage, causes... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Kidney stones: Could be either...But first i would check to see if you have a UTI ( urinary tract infection) that can often cause frequent urination. There are other... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Not a good idea: Both can raise your bp...The effects can be additive...Which is dangerous...So why would you want to do this?!?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Phytoestrogens: Foods that mimic estrogen are called phytoestrogens.
Good listing and good article would be-
http://www.Livestrong.Com/estrogen-rich-foods/
ano... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Not a good idea: The shingles vaccincation (known as zostervax) is a live virus, therefore you would run the risk of infection from the vaccination itself. Any med... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
About ten years: Everything you ever wanted to know about all immunizations, including the tetanus vaccine can be found at-
http://www.Cdc.Gov/vaccines/
great ma... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Just say no: The shingles vaccine uses a live virus, so it can shed, causing them to possibly get chickenpox from you.
Merck says at http://www.Merck.Com/produ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
?TMI: This may be tmi , or too much information..But good articles on both are found here-
http://en.Wikipedia.Org/wiki/tetanus and
http://en.Wikip... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Infants swollen Eye: Depending on the age of the infant...This can be worrisome( for newborns until perhaps 6 months) due to the types of infections, etc.
A good discussi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Bleeding &sex: There are many potential causes...Some simple and some not so simple. This type of question is nicely dealt with in books like "our bodies, ourselves"... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Topical meds: Most meds are quickly absorbed through the skin. If you do not believe it...Crush up a fresh clove of garlic, and stand on it. The skin on the sole of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Labial Hypertrophy: Enlargement of the labia is also known as labial hypertrophy. This condition can be congenital (present at birth), but can also result from childbeari... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 55-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Normal Thyroid is?: Alot of variables. From your picture, i assume you are female. If you are on ocp's or hrt, this affects thyroid function. That is why most folks now l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Natural approaches: Many ways to attack it . Traditionally folks use SSRI's for chronic anxiety and many of them are less than $4 a month.
I like more natural approaches... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Many possibilities: Can be sinusitis that won't clear. Often resistant cases must be drained by ENT doc.
If it comes with some facial paralysis too then you think of thi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Ouch!: If you look at an artists drawing of the ribs, you will see alot of connective tissue, especially in the area you are mentioning. This tissue can get ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Hernia: If it seems to get harder or "more visible and prominent" when you are lying flat, and lift your head it is probably a hernia. If it is there all the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Not that uncommon: This can cause a multitude of symptoms. Many can be long lasting and recurrent....and difficult to clear. Here is a great review article-
http://www.w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Normal?: The brown discharge is often "old" blood. Sometimes that is all you will have. I do not know your age, or your meds, or history. This can be normal in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Several types: I am attaching references to 2 articles. One is about the different types of cancer ( there are several) and then when you know the type of cancer, th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
It varies: Everything you ever wanted to know about all immunizations, including the tetanus vaccine can be found at-
http://www.Cdc.Gov/vaccines/
great ma... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Yes!: Everything you ever wanted to know about all immunizations, including the tetanus vaccine can be found at-
http://www.Cdc.Gov/vaccines/
great ma... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Post-pill-pregnancy: It varies on what type of contraceptive you were using, and on you individually, as to when you restart ovulating. A pretty good article can be found ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Intervention Rx: Intervention is a treatment, and quite powerful. This site is well known to publish some excellent resources that I use in my practice. I am not sure ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Potentially: This stuff is used to raise blood pressure, especially in folks with orthostatic hypotension ( BP drops when they stand up) overdosing can cause sever... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Infant formulas: It is okay to switch anytime that you have a reason to do so. There are many considerations. I usually give my new parents the educational piece from ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Potentially: This stuff is used to raise blood pressure, especially in folks with orthostatic hypotension ( BP drops when they stand up) the normal dose is 10 mg 3... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Call Poison Control: If overdose is suspected, you should call your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Us residents can call the us national poison... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Indirectly: Often the stress of any event, both physical, and/or mental can cause a bump in your cortisol levels, which can then cause a change in your glucose le... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Anything is possible: Could be...But it can also be normal, or an infection. Probably need to get checked out!
dr. P.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Many things: Acute or sudden blue painful spots can be due to bruising. They can come from systemic issues ( like liver, etc), hemaniomas and other things both "b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Good and bad: Can have estrogenic effects... Some good and some not so good. Great review summary- http://tinyurl.Com/c9defwu.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Many possibilities: Well, brownish discharge can be a sign of many conditions or even normal, but in some cases it can mean that there is some kind of problem ( like a ut... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robert Pattersonanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Pysillium Overdose?: Probably not an issue...Just make sure you have had plenty of water/liquids to handle this. Some folks have problems with allergies to this, but seldo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
6
Recommendations
232
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Patterson is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Patterson is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Patterson is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Awesome,detailed answer! I'll be sure to give my daughter the link you sent. Thank you again.
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! Thanks for the quick and to the point response.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I greatly appreciate your answer
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of North Carolina School of Medicine, NC
Graduated 1978MD
Residency
CHARLOTTE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Completed 1981
Awards
Community Physician of the Year 7 of past 10 years
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