Being proactive and stopping potential health issues before they arise is what Preventative Care is all about. Just making routine checkups with your doctor could end up saving you thousands by catching problems that would otherwise go unnoticed. Exams and checkups also aren’t just for adults, if you have children, starting as early as just a few days old, a regularly scheduled child wellness exam can help make sure your child is on track with their growth by taking notes on their height, weight, age, condition, senses, and developing skills to make sure that any potential issues are brought to light quickly.

Heart disease, strokes, cancer are some of the most deadly diseases out there according to global statistics, and they all have one thing in common, if caught early on, they can be managed successfully, and in some cases treated while still minor. For heart disease, just eating healthy and exercising regularly have been shown to greatly reduce a person’s risk for developing it, though, for some people, genetics is a factor.  If heart disease runs in your family, talk to your doctor during your next visit about a heart-healthy diet. For cancer and several other diseases, another way to lower your risk is to avoid smoking. The side effects of smoking alone accounts for 20% of US deaths every year.

For a longer and better life, consider some of the following ways to take preventative health measures:

• Putting on sunscreen
• Eating healthy
• Exercising regularly
• Practicing safe sex
• Taking precautions for health when traveling abroad with proper vaccines
• Yearly checkups and screenings with your doctors
• Avoid using illegal and recreational drugs
• Keeping good hygiene around the house and washing your hands properly

While not exactly just an “apple a day”, taking care and doing some of these simple things can help out greatly in the long run. If you’re interested in learning how to achieve better health, book an appointment today with College Park Medicine and ask about what you can do to get back on the path to wellness.