Preventive health care
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| Preventive health care : All adults should visit their health care provider from time to time, even when they are healthy. The purpose of these visits are to: - Screen for diseases, such as - high blood pressure - , - diabetes - , and - cancer - Look for and, if possible, reduce future disease risks, such as high cholesterol and - obesity - Discuss - alcohol use and safe drinking - Discuss - tobacco use and tips on how to quit it - Encourage a - healthy lifestyle - , such as healthy eating and - exercise - Update vaccinations - Maintain a relationship with your provider in case of illness - Discuss medicines or supplements that you are taking WHY PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE IS IMPORTANT Even if you feel fine, you should still see your provider for regular checkups. These visits can help you avoid problems in the future. For example, the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly. High blood sugar and high cholesterol levels also may not have any symptoms in the early stages. A simple blood test can check for these conditions. Below are some of the tests that may be done or scheduled: - Blood pressure - Blood sugar - Cholesterol (blood) - Colon cancer screening - test - Depression - screening - Genetic testing - for breast cancer or ovarian cancer in certain women - HIV test - Breast cancer screening test - Osteoporosis screening - Cervical cancer screening test - Lung cancer screening test - Tests for - chlamydia - , - gonorrhea - , - syphilis - , and other sexually transmitted diseases Your provider can recommend how often you might want to schedule a visit. Another part of preventive health is learning to recognize changes in your body that may not be normal. This is so you can see your provider right away. Changes may include: - A lump anywhere on your body - Losing weight without trying - A lasting - fever - A - cough - that does not go away - Body aches and pains that do not go away - Changes or blood in your stools - Skin changes or sores that do not go away or get worse - Other changes or symptoms that are new or do not go away WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY HEALTHY In addition to seeing your provider for regular checkups, there are things you can do to stay healthy and help lower your risk for diseases. If you already have a health condition, taking these steps can help you manage it. - Don't smoke or use tobacco. - Exercise - at least 150 minutes a week (2 hours and 30 minutes). - Eat healthy foods - such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat or nonfat dairy. - If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation (no more than 2 drinks a day for men and no more than 1 drink a day for women). - Maintain a - healthy weight - . - Always use seatbelts, and use car seats if you have children. - Don't use illegal drugs. - Practice - safer sex - . | |
| Review Date: 01/01/2025 | Updated By: Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. |