Preventive health care

Information

The most important part of preventive health care is maintaining good health habits. This includes:

• Avoiding alcohol use or using it in moderation
• Avoiding smoking and drug abuse
• Controlling any diseases or disorders, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high levels of cholesterol in the blood
• Controlling weight
• Getting daily exercise
• Getting proper nutrition

In addition to these habits, some screening services may help prevent or minimize disease.

1. It is important and recommended for adults to have the following periodic screening tests:

• Abdominal aortic ultrasound in certain people
• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar
• Cholesterol screening
• Colon cancer screening
• Depression screening
• Genetic testing for breast cancer or ovarian cancer in certain women
• HIV test
• Osteoporosis screening
• Pap smear
• Mammography
• Sexually transmitted disease screening

See also: Physical exam frequency

2. Many diseases can be effectively treated when detected early. See your primary health care provider right away if:

• A lump or persistent sore appears on your body.
• You have unexplained weight loss.
• You have a lasting fever.
• You develop a chronic cough.
• You notice continued body aches and pains.

Have a plan for getting professional care before the need arises.

3. Keep immunizations up-to-date. See: Immunizations - general overview

References

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Accessed February 22, 2009.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Guide to clinical preventive services 2008. Rockville, MD. 2008. AHRQ publications 08-05122.

Woolf SH. Principles of preventive health care. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 12.

• Drug Abuse

  Drug abuse is the use of illegal drugs, or the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
  
  Because you can feel the effects almost right away, you can stop breathing in at any time to reduce the effect. In contrast, eating marijuana produces effects more slowly. These effects add up and last longer, making unpleasant reactions more likely.
  
  Drug addiction is a serious and complicated health condition that requires both physical and psychological treatment and support. It is important to be evaluated by a trained professional to determine the best care.

• Abdominal Ultrasound

  Abdominal ultrasound is an imaging procedure used to examine the internal organs of the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. The blood vessels that lead to some of these organs can also be looked at with ultrasound.
  
  The significance of abnormal results depends on the organ being examined and the nature of the problem. You should consult your health care provider with any questions and concerns.

• Blood Glucose Test

  A blood glucose test measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in a sample of your blood.
  
  Levels vary according to the laboratory, but in general up to 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are considered normal.
  
  Persons with levels between 100 and 126 mg/dL may have impaired fasting glucose or prediabetes. These levels are considered to be risk factors for type 2 diabetes and its complications.

• Cholesterol Test

  A total cholesterol test is a rough measure of all the cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.
  
  Cholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance found in all parts of the body. Your body needs a little bit of cholesterol to work properly. But too much cholesterol can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease.
  
  Some cholesterol is considered "good" and some is considered "bad." Different blood tests are needed to individually measure each type of cholesterol.

• Bone mineral density

  
  Regular BMD testing can be important in combating osteoporosis in certain people. The overall cost-benefit value of screening everyone, including those who are not at high risk, is still a matter of debate. Many insurance companies today will pay for bone density testing under certain circumstances.
  
  Simple bone density scans using portable machines may be available as part of health fairs or screenings. These portable scanners may check the density of your wrist or heel. However, keep in mind that hip and spine scans are more reliable.

• Immunizations

  Immunization exposes you to a very small, very safe amount of the most important infections. This exposure helps your immune system recognize and attack the infection and prevent the disease it may cause. If you are exposed to the full-blown disease later in life, you will either not become infected or have a much milder infection. This is a natural way to deal with infectious diseases.
  
  After immunizations were introduced on a wide scale, infections such as tetanus, diphtheria, mumps, measles, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio became rare. Newer immunization have also decreased certain types of meningitis, pneumonia, and ear infections in children.