Procedure Volume Patient Data Patient Conditions Reviews General Payments Back to Top

Home > WA Providers > Internists & Internal Medicine Doctors

Dr. Carlo Torralba Palarca, MD

(No ratings)

Specializes in: Internal Medicine (Adult Medicine), Electrodiagnostic Medicine and Hospital Medicine (Hospitalist)

Professional interests include: pain, headache, vascular disease, and more.

1717 S J STREET
Tacoma, WA 98405

(253) 426-6341

Dr. Carlo Torralba Palarca, MD is an internist in Tacoma, WA specializing in internal medicine (adult medicine), electrodiagnostic medicine and hospital medicine (hospitalist). Dr. Carlo Torralba Palarca, MD is affiliated with Franciscan Medical Group and PROVIDENCE HEALTH AND SERVICES WASHINGTON.

Office Locations

Address:

1717 S J STREET
Tacoma, WA 98405

Some issues Dr. Carlo Torralba Palarca, MD can help you with:

Headache

Headaches are dull or sharp pains that occur in regions of the head and face. Headaches occur in many different forms and vary in location, severity, and duration. They are not necessarily a sign of an underlying illness and often resolve on their own. However, headaches can present significant day-to-day discomfort. The most common forms of headaches include:

Migraines: one of the most prevalent types of headache, migraines typically last from two hours to three days, causing a throbbing pain on one side of the head. Nausea, sensitivity to bright lights, fatigue, and blurred vision all may accompany migraines. While migraines have no known cure, medications and lifestyle modifications may ease symptoms. Avoiding behaviors that may trigger migraines such as lack of sleep or loud, repetitive noises can improve headaches.
Tension headaches: also known as stress headaches, these headaches are characterized by pain in the upper top part of the head and behind the eyes. Tension headaches are common and have no exact cause; however, certain practices may increase the likelihood of developing them. For example, wearing one's hair up in a tight hairstyle or wearing a restrictive hat can put pressure on the scalp, leading to a tension headache. Other causes of tension headaches may include alcohol or nicotine use, caffeine, teeth grinding, stress, overexertion, and eye strain. Some people find posture improvement, alternating sleeping positions, and neck exercise can alleviate tension headaches. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motren) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may also reduce tension-headache pain.
Sinus headaches: this type of headache causes pain in the sinuses, but may progress to pain and pressure in the eyes, forehead, and cheeks. These headaches are often accompanied by nasal congestion, fatigue, and ache in the upper teeth and may or may not be caused by sinus infections or sinusitis (sinus inflammation). Some sinus headaches are allergic headaches, which arise from allergic triggers such as seasonal allergies (pollen allergies) or hay fever, causing sinus pressure and facial pain. Other symptoms of allergic headaches include nasal congestion, irritated or watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Allergic headaches may be treated with antihistamine medications such as cetirizine (Zyrtec). Allergic headaches are common during pollen season, which is usually around springtime.
Cluster headaches: these headaches occur suddenly and cause stabbing, sharp pain from one eye down to the one side of the neck. They are often referred to as the most aggravating and painful type of headaches. Other symptoms of cluster headaches include nasal congestion, droopy eyelid, and enlarged pupil on one side of the face. In the past, it was widely believed that cluster headaches were caused by a bevy or "cluster" of multiple types of headaches, such as a combination of an allergic headache and a tension headache. Medical experts now recognize that cluster headaches are a separate and unique form of headache. Cluster headaches last for around twenty minutes to two hours. They may recur throughout the period of a day or several weeks, but usually dissipate within a month. Treatment for cluster headaches includes over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motren) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Prescription Prednisone can help with swelling and Verapamil may reduce pain by relaxing the blood vessels.

Living with headaches is challenging; headaches can prevent people from fully enjoying life. Medical treatment and care in avoiding certain triggers can help those with headaches begin to feel normal once again.

Heart Problems

The heart is one of the most important organs in the body. This smooth muscle expands and contracts rhythmically an entire lifetime, pumping blood to the lungs and then to every other cell in the body. When heart problems occur, it becomes difficult for the body to get the nutrients and oxygen it needs via the blood. So while there are a variety of illnesses and disorders that affect the heart, most of them cause weakness, exhaustion and shortness of breath. The most common heart conditions include heart disease, angina, arrhythmia, and valve disorders.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. This includes coronary artery disease, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Some conditions, such as genetics, cannot be controlled. But there are many other things one can do to lower their risk for heart disease. Controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing or stopping smoking, exercising more and losing weight if needed, and eating a diet low in sodium can all protect the heart.

Angina is a squeezing type of chest pain that happens when the muscles around the heart don't get enough oxygen. It can be regular or infrequent. Usually, angina is caused by coronary heart disease. However, not all chest pain is angina. Chest pain can also be caused by a lung infection or panic attack, for example, so it is important to have any sudden pain checked.

Arrhythmia is the word for when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly with skipped beats. It can feel frightening, and depending on the type it can be dangerous, but in most cases arrhythmia is not serious and can be treated. It is very common, especially in older adults.

Heart valve problems can happen in any one of the the heart's four valves that keep blood flowing where it needs to go. Babies can be born with problems in their heart valves, or valves can be damaged by infections. The valves can stiffen and become less mobile, or they can stop closing properly and 'leak' when the heart beats. Valve problems can usually be repaired surgically.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, happens when bacteria enter the body through the opening where urine is normally released. The bacteria infect the lining of the urethra and bladder, turning them red and inflamed. This causes pain in the abdomen or pelvic area, a burning sensation during urination, a sense of urgency about going to the bathroom, frequent urination, and urine that smells bad and looks cloudy, or even contains traces of blood. If the urinary tract infection is severe, it may travel all the way to the kidneys, a more serious kind of UTI called pyelonephritis. Patients with this kidney infection might have blood in their urine, feel back pain, and develop a fever.

Urinary tract infections are extremely common: 12% of all men and 40-50% of all women will have a urinary tract infection during their lifetime. They are more common in women because women have shorter urethras, so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel from the outside of the body to the bladder and cause an infection. Some people also have urethras that are an unusual shape or have an obstruction in the urethra that makes getting a UTI more likely. Also, certain chronic illnesses like diabetes weaken the immune system, so any bacteria in the body are more likely to cause an infection.

A urinary tract infection can be diagnosed very quickly by a doctor. A sample of urine can be examined under a microscope for the presence of bacteria or white blood cells. There are also diagnostic strips that can be used to test a urine sample without the need for a microscope. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment is a course of oral antibiotics, and most patients feel better within just a few days. There are some things that patients can do themselves to help reduce the risk of getting a urinary tract infection in the future. Stay well hydrated, wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom, wear breathable cotton undergarments, and don't hold it in when patients feel the urge to go.

hospital care	396
inpatient care	184
outpatient care	202

**Gender**
Male	163
Female	216

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	222
Black	82
Hispanic	63
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	115
From 75 to 84	106
85 and over	61
Less than 65	97

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	74
Stroke	16
Ischemic Heart Disease	68
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	45
Asthma	18
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	21
Heart Failure	38
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	28
Diabetes	48
Dementia	21
Cancer	15

hospital care	399
inpatient care	167
outpatient care	233

**Gender**
Male	168
Female	230

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	225
Black	90
Hispanic	60
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	109
From 75 to 84	115
85 and over	88
Less than 65	86

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	18
Ischemic Heart Disease	62
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	49
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	21
Heart Failure	37
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	28
Diabetes	52
Dementia	26
Cancer	14

hospital care	359
inpatient care	121
outpatient care	239

**Gender**
Male	308
Female	458

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	516
Black	160
Hispanic	68
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	212
From 75 to 84	218
85 and over	150
Less than 65	186

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	18
Ischemic Heart Disease	66
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	51
Asthma	24
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	26
Heart Failure	40
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	29
Diabetes	49
Dementia	28
Cancer	16

hospital care	380
inpatient care	134
outpatient care	247

**Gender**
Male	170
Female	207

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	206
Black	94
Hispanic	60
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	102
From 75 to 84	99
85 and over	75
Less than 65	101

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	63
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	62
Asthma	28
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	23
Heart Failure	40
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	27
Diabetes	50
Dementia	28
Cancer	15

hospital care	375
inpatient care	283
outpatient care	93

**Gender**
Male	117
Female	152

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	164
Black	42
Hispanic	21
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	24

**Age**
From 65 to 74	67
From 75 to 84	84
85 and over	61
Less than 65	57

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	14
Ischemic Heart Disease	60
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	61
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	25
Heart Failure	49
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	37
Diabetes	41
Dementia	30
Cancer	13

hospital care	309
inpatient care	191
outpatient care	119

**Gender**
Male	112
Female	167

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	193
Black	33
Hispanic	28
Asian	14
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	87
From 75 to 84	77
85 and over	64
Less than 65	51

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	74
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	58
Depression	42
Chronic Kidney Disease	64
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	26
Heart Failure	48
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	33
Diabetes	48
Dementia	28
Cancer	20

hospital care	330
inpatient care	176
outpatient care	155

**Gender**
Male	151
Female	192

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	266
Black	28
Hispanic	18
Asian	13
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	115
From 75 to 84	88
85 and over	81
Less than 65	59

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	14
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	42
Chronic Kidney Disease	62
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	31
Heart Failure	52
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	39
Diabetes	48
Dementia	32
Cancer	14

hospital care	195
inpatient care	98
outpatient care	98

**Gender**
Male	115
Female	100

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	170
Black	15
Hispanic	12
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	64
From 75 to 84	65
85 and over	37
Less than 65	49

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	62
Stroke	15
Ischemic Heart Disease	53
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	68
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	23
Heart Failure	48
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	36
Diabetes	50
Dementia	29
Cancer	11

hospital care	347
inpatient care	195
outpatient care	153

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Carlo Torralba Palarca, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Carlo Torralba Palarca, MD treated as an internist in Tacoma, WA were hospital care, inpatient care and outpatient care.

hospital care	344
inpatient care	172
outpatient care	171

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Carlo Torralba Palarca, MD.

**Gender**
Male	130
Female	172

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	54
Asian / Pacific Islander	2
Non-Hispanic White	196
Native American / Alaskan Native	2
Hispanic	33
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	85
85 and over	61
Less than 65	68
65 to 74	87

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Carlo Torralba Palarca, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Carlo Torralba Palarca, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	48
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	46
Asthma	13
Osteoporosis	7
Heart Failure	35
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	38
Atrial Fibrillation	19
Cancer	11
Dementia	22

Education & Training

He has a state license in Washington.

Licensed In: Washington

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Carlo Torralba Palarca, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Franciscan Medical Group

PROVIDENCE HEALTH AND SERVICES WASHINGTON

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Carlo Torralba Palarca, MD does not have any reviews yet, be the first to leave a review of Dr. Carlo Torralba Palarca, MD here: Leave a Review

(No ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Carlo Torralba Palarca, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Pfizer Inc.	$244 ELIQUIS $244
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc	$150 XARELTO $100	INVOKANA $50
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.	$140 Heart Valves $140
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.	$124 SAMSCA $124
Gilead Sciences, Inc.	$122 Epclusa $122
Other	$133 LANTUS $84	NON-PRODUCT $29	QVAR $19

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$884
Education	$29

Biography

Dr. Carlo Palarca is a specialist in hospital medicine (hospitalist) and electrodiagnostic medicine. Dr. Palarca's clinical interests include diabetes, heart problems, and urinary tract infection (UTI). He is affiliated with Orlando Health and Franciscan Medical Group. Doctor.com reports that he is not accepting new patients.