Preventive Care: How to avoid long-term illness
Doctor's advice /
Gain insight into the importance of preventive care and wellness in maintaining lifelong well-being. This Doctor's Advice article discusses the role of preventive care, including annual wellness visits, health screenings, vaccinations, and a healthy lifestyle, in preventing costly and long-term illnesses. Additionally, it highlights how preventive medicine can save money and protect against financial devastation.
Prioritizing prevention and taking proactive steps towards a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of developing costly, long-term illnesses, allowing you to enjoy lifelong well-being.
Understanding Preventive Medicine
Preventive medicine is the practice of promoting a healthy lifestyle, annual wellness visits, and regular cancer screenings to improve your well-being. Its ultimate goal is to prevent disease, disability, and premature death.
Did you know that being overweight or obese heightens the risk of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, fatty liver, or cirrhosis? Similarly, smoking can lead to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This is why maintaining a healthy lifestyle through balanced nutrition and regular exercise is crucial for preventive medicine. By taking proactive steps to prevent these conditions, you can avoid costly medical treatments and enhance your overall well-being.
While not all conditions are preventable due to genetic factors, early detection remains crucial for effective treatment. Annual wellness visits and regular health screenings play a vital role in monitoring your health and detecting potential issues early, saving both lives and money.
The Importance of Your Annual Wellness Visit
An essential component of preventive medicine is the annual wellness visit or routine checkup. This visit is usually $0 with insurance, even if you haven't met your deductible, and allows you to discuss your health concerns with your primary care doctor or nurse practitioner to develop a personalized plan for maintaining your health.
During this visit, your provider can assess your overall health, discuss any chronic conditions you may have, recommend health screenings and vaccinations, and provide guidance on lifestyle choices promoting long-term wellness. It's an opportunity for you to ask questions, address concerns, and collaborate with your care team towards a healthier future.
Health Screenings: Detecting Issues Early
Regular health screenings are key to preventing future diseases. While many diseases cannot be prevented, screenings help detect potential health issues early, enabling prompt treatment and better outcomes. These screenings can include tests for blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes, STDs, and various cancers. Prioritizing these screenings helps you stay on top of your health and address concerns before they become serious.
The risk for many conditions increases as you age. Sanitas doctors generally recommend the following screenings for men and women:
Women Without Known Risk Factor
| Checkups and Screenings | When? |
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| Annual wellness exam Physical examination, blood pressure, BMI and routine blood tests. |
Every year |
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| Heart health Cholesterol |
Starting at age 45, frequency determined based on level and risk factors* |
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| Breast health Mammogram |
Baseline age 35-40; every two years age 40-50; every year age 50+. |
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| Reproductive health Pap test - HPV test - STD |
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| Bone health Bone density test |
At least once beginning age 65* |
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| Colorectal health Colorectal cancer screening |
Age 45-75. Frequency depends on type of test* |
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* Onset and frequency of the test may differ depending on certain conditions. Please discuss with your primary care provider
Men Without Known Risk Factors
| Checkups and Screenings | When? |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual wellness exam Physical examination, blood pressure, BMI and routine blood tests. |
Every year |
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| Heart health Cholesterol |
Starting at age 35, frequency determined based on level and risk factors* |
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| Prostate Prostate cancer screening |
Discuss options with your doctor |
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| Colorectal health Colorectal cancer screening |
Age 45-75. Frequency depends on type of test* |
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| Reproductive health Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) |
Sexually active adults at risk for STDs as indicated based on history |
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* Onset and frequency of the test may differ depending on certain conditions. Please discuss with your primary care provider
The Importance of Vaccinations
Vaccinations are another crucial aspect of preventive medicine. Adults should receive annual flu shots, COVID boosters, and reinforce tetanus shots every 10 years. HPV vaccines are recommended up to age 45 to prevent cervical, oral, and throat cancers. As you age, additional vaccines such as shingles (age 50), RSV (age 60), and pneumonia (age 64) become important to prevent or lessen serious illness.
Promoting a Proactive and Healthy Lifestyle
Preventive medicine emphasizes adopting a proactive and healthy lifestyle to prevent future diseases. Balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking significantly reduce the risk of preventable conditions. Small steps, such as maintaining a balanced diet and staying active, can have a significant impact on overall health and well-being.
Preventive Medicine: Saves You Money
Beyond the obvious health benefits, preventive medicine can also save you money and prevent financial devastation. By detecting health issues early, preventive care can help you avoid expensive medical treatments associated with advanced diseases. Moreover, maintaining good health through preventive measures reduces the likelihood of missed workdays and productivity losses due to illness, ultimately safeguarding your financial stability.
Most health plans must cover a set of preventive services — like shots and screening tests — at no cost to you. All plans sold on the Health Insurance Marketplace and many other plans must cover certain preventive services without charging you a copayment or coinsurance. This is true even if you haven’t met your yearly deductible.
Conclusion: Prioritize Preventive Care
Prioritizing preventive care and wellness is essential for lifelong health. Understanding the importance of health screenings, making the most of your annual wellness visit, and adopting a proactive lifestyle can help prevent future diseases and improve your quality of life.
Don't postpone your health and wellness—call 1-844-665-4827 to schedule your annual wellness visit at a Sanitas Medical Center near you today.
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