Adult preventive care is an important approach to medicine that can help adults take a more proactive stance regarding their health. With a preventive approach, patients can start to think about what they can do to minimize the chances of developing common health issues that afflict many Americans as a result of poor diet, inactivity, and poor health education.
Benefits Of Preventive Care
There are multiple benefits to working with a preventive care doctor.
Identify Chronic Illness Early
Many common chronic illnesses that people experience do not present symptoms early on in their development. Without a close relationship with a primary care doctor, you could miss out on learning whether or not you are at risk for a preventable illness or disease. Additionally, routine checkups with your primary care doctor can help you identify lifestyle habits that may be contributing to the risk of developing a chronic condition.
Save Money In The Long Run
Preventive healthcare can save you money in two important ways. First, it can lower the steep cost of disease treatment down the road by catching the risks and warning signs early on. Second, you can save money because a majority of preventive care services are covered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Setup Healthy Lifestyle Habits
When you work with a preventive care doctor, you will learn very helpful information regarding the importance of an active lifestyle for preventing chronic illness. Undergoing a simple physical with your doctor can help pinpoint lifestyle habits that may be putting you at risk. These factors may include a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, excessive stress, and others.
Prevent Infections
One of the cornerstones of preventive care is vaccinations. Vaccines help to prevent the onset and spread of a variety of communicable diseases including influenza, pneumonia, measles, tetanus, diphtheria, and other dangerous viruses.
While some may be afraid of vaccines, overwhelming scientific evidence shows that vaccines are safe and able to help eradicate the presence of contagious viruses.
Improved Lifespan
A preventive care doctor promotes a longer, healthier, and more sustainable life. When you are taking care of your body in order to maintain health and longevity, not only will you avoid some common chronic diseases, but you will also enjoy more energy, happiness, and overall higher quality of life.
What Do Preventive Care Services Consist Of?
Now that we understand the importance and benefits of preventive care, let’s take a look at some of the most common preventive care services.
Physical Exams
Physical exams allow your doctor to get an idea of your current health status. An annual physical exam lets you and your doctor assess how you are doing medically regardless of whether you are having symptoms or not. It can also help you assess which areas of your health need attention so they don’t develop into more serious issues down the road.
Screenings And Lab Testing
Screening tests are an important part of your preventive healthcare. For people between the ages of 30 and 49, these tests are used for early detection of some of the more common and potentialcdiseases (such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease) that begin to affect people in middle age. Lab screening tests are used for the early detection of diabetes, heart disease, and other illnesses to reduce the risk of disease or to detect it early enough to treat it effectively.
Vaccines
Vaccines, as previously mentioned, are an essential aspect of preventive care because they drastically minimize the spread of communicable diseases. Vaccines teach your immune system how to deal with viruses and bacteria that enter your body and prime it to be able to defend itself.
Counseling
Counseling can come in the form of regular discussions with your doctor about your overall health. These discussions consist of topics such as your lifestyle habits, what risks you need to focus on dealing with, and also other habits such as smoking or overeating and the effects they have on your health. Counseling is a very important form of treatment that can help keep you educated and maintain a transparent relationship between you and your physician.
Contact Imperical Center Family Medicine
Imperial Center Family Medicine is a professional and approachable family care practice that specializes in preventive care services. Their experienced providers offer primary and preventive services to help patients manage their ongoing health and wellness needs. Schedule an appointment today.