Preventative care is incredibly important. Finding and identifying health issues before they progress into something serious is a key component of staying healthy and happy–regardless of how old or young you might be. This is why we take our kids to dental checkups every six months.
As we age, preventative care becomes even more important. For example, prostate issues really don’t occur with regularity until a man is 50 years old or older. By the time someone is well into their senior years, if there’s a problem that has gone undetected, it could very likely be a major problem. However, detecting these issues earlier on gives doctors a chance to rectify issues while they are still minor.
Some health issues can be detected easily just by going to normal, yearly checkups with your doctor. If you suddenly see a huge change in blood pressure, doctors will know that something is going and investigate further.
The need for prevention never goes away. Planning for the future is always necessary, and maintaining health and keeping up with appointments is going to be necessary for as long as someone lives.
But doing it right doesn’t need to be the hassle that many people have come to believe that it must be. For example, advances in technology, preventative care is easier to access today than ever before. You might not need to leave your home!
There are things that you can do at home to help make preventative care a lot easier. One is to schedule ahead of time and keep a planner. This will look different for different people. You can put a calendar on the fridge with important appointments and obligations written down. I program everything into my phone so I get emails and alerts the day before things happen. Something else might work for you.
Additionally, you will find that these kinds of appointments are easier if you’re making healthy choices geared toward maintaining health. Reduce fried foods and sodium intake if you’re worried about diet. Quit smoking if you have cardiovascular issues. Being proactive with our health means less bad news, and makes these appointments less dreadful.
And as always, if you have questions, concerns, or you are in pain, it’s really important to see a doctor. Some of us can be quite stubborn about seeing a medical professional (me included!), but that doesn’t mean that doctors are not the right choice. It’s always important to work with a medical professional when it comes to your health. They are trained to help identify and resolve problems, and they can do it a lot more effectively than you or I can. If you or a loved one haven’t seen a doctor in a while, schedule a preventative checkup or physical. And if you have concerns, questions, or health goals you’d like to start realizing, it’s okay to get an appointment scheduled for that, too. In-person or virtual, a doctor is going to have much more accurate help and information for you and your unique situation.
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