Prevention as Treatment: Staying healthy over treating sickness

When we’re young, we tend to think we’re invincible. Most people don’t go to the doctor when they’re young unless they’re living with a chronic condition. When young adults do not seek care for several years, their providers are often seeing them without a medical history to reference. For most, as we age our health becomes an increasingly important priority. To ensure we’re remaining as healthy as we can however, prevention is key.

In practice, that means going to doctor visits when nothing is wrong, and going for a yearly physical with bloodwork.

Rather than waiting to treat illnesses, preventive health screenings and regular check-ups can detect issues early, significantly improving your quality of life and in some cases, preventing illness to begin with. This was the topic of discussion when Legacy’s Dr. Jose Bejarano spoke with Univision in July.

“Occasionally we neglect ourselves because we think we know better; that nothing is going to happen to us,” Dr. Bejarano told Univision. “It’s important that we become aware that prevention is more important than treatment.”

Your 20s and 30s: Building a Foundation for a Healthy Future

Your 20s and 30s are crucial for establishing healthy habits that will serve you well in later years. Regular health check-ups during this period should include:

• Annual Physical Exams: A yearly visit to your primary care provider helps monitor your overall health and catch any potential issues early.
• Blood Pressure Screening: High blood pressure can be a silent threat. Regular screenings help manage and prevent hypertension.
• Cholesterol Checks: Starting at age 20, get your cholesterol checked every 4-6 years, or more frequently if you have a family history of heart disease.
• Mental Health Checks: taking care of mental health is important to address and eventually treat any issues that could affect physical health.
• Pap Smears and HPV Testing: Women should begin Pap smears at age 21 and continue every three years if results are normal. HPV testing may also be recommended.
• Skin Exams: Regular self-exams and professional skin checks can help detect skin cancer early.

Your 40s and 50s: Keeping Ahead of Health Risks

As you enter your 40s and 50s, the focus on preventive care becomes even more critical. During these years, you should include the following screenings:

• Mammograms: Women should start getting mammograms at age 40 and continue every 1-2 years, depending on individual risk factors.
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Both men and women should begin screening for colorectal cancer at age 45. Options include a colonoscopy every ten years or other types of tests more frequently.
• Diabetes Screening: Starting at age 45, regular screenings for type 2 diabetes are recommended, especially if you have high blood pressure or are overweight.
• Eye Exams: Regular eye exams can detect glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.
• Bone Density Tests: Women should start bone density tests at age 50 to screen for osteoporosis, particularly if they have a family history or other risk factors.

Your 60s and Beyond: Maintaining Your Health and Vitality

Entering your 60s and the golden years that follow, staying vigilant with your health screenings can significantly improve your quality of life. Essential screenings during this period include:

• Prostate Cancer Screening: Men should discuss the benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening with their provider starting at age 50, or earlier if they have a family history.
• Lung Cancer Screening: If you have a history of heavy smoking, annual low-dose CT scans for lung cancer are recommended starting at age 55.
• Vaccinations: Ensure you’re up to date on important vaccinations, including the flu shot, shingles vaccine (starting at age 50), and pneumonia vaccines (starting at age 65).
• Hearing Tests: Regular hearing tests can help address age-related hearing loss early.
• Cognitive Assessments: Discuss cognitive health with your provider, especially if you notice memory or thinking changes.

In addition to regular screenings, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital. Incorporating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains is just one way you can keep your body in good health. Regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption are other ways one can keep themselves healthy.

If you would like to make an appointment with your Legacy provider, please visit us online or call us at (832) 546-5000. Together, we can ensure you stay healthy and vibrant at every stage of life!