14
May '20

Preventative Health Care

Posted on 2020-05-14 in General, Newsletter |

14
May '20
June is Men’s Health Awareness Month and is used to promote healthy practices in men like exercising, healthy eating and regular health checkups. In honor of this month, which is centered on proactively caring for yourself, below are some recommendations for both men and women on ways to stay healthy and keep up with health screenings.
 

MEN & WOMEN

Yearly physical exam:

During your yearly exam with your doctor, they will check for a variety of things to ensure you are in good health. Some of the things they check on is:

  • Overall health exam to listen to your heart and lungs, and look at your eyes, ears, nose, mouth and skin.
  • Blood work which can test for things like high cholesterol and diabetes.
  • Blood pressure to make sure it is within a healthy range.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI): calculation of your height and weight which can determine if you are at risk for other health conditions.

Colon cancer screening:

  • Recommended for ages 50 or older.
  • There are different ways to test for this, so be sure to talk with your doctor about which one is right for you.

Vaccines:

  • The flu vaccine is recommended every year at the start of the flu season, which is typically in the fall.
  • There might be other recommended vaccines, especially if you are an older adult.
  • Be sure to check with your doctor to ensure you are up-to-date on all vaccines.

MEN

WOMEN

Prostate exam:

  • Recommended for men every year over the age of 50.
  • Screens for prostate cancer.

Mammogram:

  • Recommendations vary based on age and risk (i.e. family history).
  • Be sure to discuss with your doctor about when you should have your mammogram and how often, especially if you are over the age of 40.
  • Screens for breast cancer.

Pap smear:

  • Recommended every 3 years for women ages 21-65.
  • Screens for cervical cancer.

 

Other tips for staying healthy:

  • Eat a well-balanced diet with lean proteins, vegetables, fruits and grains
  • Exercise! The recommended amount of exercise for an adult is 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week
  • Quit smoking. Smoking can put you at risk for diseases like lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses. If you have a current or past history of smoking, talk about it with your doctor.