“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” – Benjamin Franklin
The top two killers of Americans are Heart Disease and Cancer which are also known as ‘diseases for dummies’ because they are caused far more by our lifestyle choices than genetic predisposition. The reason they are so deadly is due to the fact that by the time we experience symptoms of the disease, it is often too late. Prevention of sickness and disease rather than reacting to their devastating effects is critical to living long and living well. Though obvious, most people wait until they get symptoms before taking any action to be proactive their health. Knowing your family history and disease risk factors along with getting screened for common health problems are two of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family and are effective ways to catch problems early—or prevent them entirely.
“People get busy, and if they feel okay, they go about their business thinking that they’re healthy,” says Dr. Cory W. Gold. “As a country, we have too much focus on illness and “sick” care rather than on wellness and prevention, which leads to people having problems that could be avoided.”
But it’s easy to get confused on what your risk factors are and what screenings you need, how often you need them, especially when recommendations change or when different medical groups have conflicting guidelines. Your first step: Find a doctor who can help you sort it out, suggests Dr. Gold. “You really need to have a coordinated wellness plan.”
“Being proactive with your health and wellness is crucial,” says Dr. Gold. Knowing your risk factors and getting routine health screenings and checkups are a responsible way to prevent grave diseases such as cancer, heart conditions, many lifestyle related diseases, and so on. “It’s always a good idea to go for certain recommended health screenings, albeit without becoming overly anxious about your health.”
Understanding Risk Factors.
Part of learning how to take charge of your health requires understanding risk factors for different diseases. Risk factors are things in your life that increase your chances of getting certain disease. Some risk factors are beyond your control. You may be born with them or exposed to them through no fault of your own. Some risk factors that you have little or no control over include your:
· Family history of disease
· Sex/gender – male or female
· Ancestry
· Age
· Health – having one health problem may raise your risk of having another (for instance, having diabetes increases your risk of getting heart disease.)
Some risk factors you can control include:
· What you eat
· How much physical activity you get
· Whether you use tobacco
· How much alcohol you drink
· Whether you use illegal drugs
· Whether you use your seatbelt
In fact, it has been estimated that almost 35 percent of all U.S. early deaths in 2000 could have been avoided by changing just three behaviors:
· Stopping smoking
· Eating a healthy diet (for example, eating more fruits and vegetables and less red meat)
· Getting more physical exercise
Having more than one risk factor. You can have one risk factor for a disease or you can have many. The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to get the disease. For example, it you eat healthy, exercise on a regular basis, and control your blood pressure, your chances of getting heart disease are less than if you are diabetic, a smoker, inactive. To lower your risks, take small steps toward engaging in a healthy lifestyle, and you’ll see big rewards.
How do I find out my disease risks? It’s important to talk to your doctor about your individual health risks, even if you have to bring it up yourself. And it’s important for your doctor to know not just about your health, but your family health history as well. Come to health care visits armed with information about you, your children, siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and nieces and nephews, including:
· Major medical conditions and causes of death
· Age of disease onset and age at death
· Ethnic background
· General lifestyle information like heavy drinking and smoking
What if I have a family history of disease?
People with a family health history of chronic disease may have the most to gain from making lifestyle changes. You can’t change your genes, but you can change your behaviors that affect your health, such as smoking, inactivity, and poor eating habits. In many cases, making these changes can reduce your risk of disease even if the disease runs in your family. Knowing your family health history will also help guide you on what screenings are right for you. People who have a family health history of a chronic disease may benefit the most from screening tests that look for risk factors and early signs of disease. Finding disease early, before symptoms appear, can mean better health in the long run.
So now that you know your risks, what screenings are important? Check out our top ten health screenings that you should consider getting:
Blood Pressure Screening
High blood pressure is as common as a cough and cold nowadays; blame it on the stressful lives we all lead or the unhealthy lifestyles we’ve grown accustomed to. Do get it checked once every few months to make sure you don’t suffer from hypertension. A blood pressure checkup helps in keeping the risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney damage in check. Recommended for all adults starting at age 18, then at least every two years.
Heart Screenings
Lipid Profile Test. A lipid profiling test helps in identifying the cholesterollevels of a person and keeps the general overall vascular health under check. It helps in identifying ‘bad’ low density lipoprotein, which helps in cholesterol screening. The test helps in checking the cholesterol levels in the body. Men: Get your cholesterol checked at least once every five years. Women: Get your cholesterol checked once every five years if you are at risk for heart disease.
ECG (Electrocardiogram). You should go for an electrocardiogram, especially, if you aren’t very physically active. Go for one if your body shows symptoms like sweatiness, fatigue, anxiousness and chest pains. An electrocardiogram will help rule out an angina, any blockages or any other cardiovascular troubles.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening. Men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked should get a one-time screening. This test screens for a bulging in the largest artery in your body; if it bursts, it could be fatal.
Women’s Health: Cervical & Breast Cancer Screenings
Pap Smear Test. These tests help in detecting cancerous and pre-cancerous changes in the cervix. This is a must do test for women who have crossed 40 in order to keep their cervical changes under check. It is also a must-do test for women who are sexually active. Recommended at least every three years.
Mammogram. If you have witnessed any changes in your breast tissue, then this is a must-do test for you. These tests help in detecting cancerous lumps in the breast at an early stage. Recommended every two years for women aged 50 plus.
Colon Cancer Screening
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a colonoscopy screening every 10 years in adults, beginning at age 50 and continuing until 75. But if you have a family history, consult your doctor about screenings more often.
Blood Glucose Tests
A blood or a urine test for blood sugar will tell you whether you suffer fromdiabetes or not. The American Diabetes Association suggests that if you are overweight and over 45, or are younger than 45, overweight and have other risk factors (high blood pressure, family history, a history of gestational diabetes) that you get checked for prediabetes or diabetes at least every three years.
Spinal Health
A healthy spine is an often overlooked and essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Chiropractic is a natural method of health care that focuses on spinal health and an optimally functioning nervous system. A spinal health exam can reveal subluxations which are misaligned vertebrae that put pressure on the nervous system and can be a precursor to many symptoms such as migraines, headaches, numbness, tingling, pain and much more. New York Chiropractic Associates recommend a spinal health exam four times a year.
Prostate Exam
Prostate-specific antigen is a component released into a man’s blood by his prostate gland. The release of this component tends to increase with age, thus increasing the chances of prostate cancer in men. Thus, an annual PSA test is a must-do test for men who have crossed 60. A prostate exam helps in making sure that there are no abnormalities. This test must be performed once every 2 years for early detection. The American Cancer Society suggests that at 50, men talk to their doctors about the pros and cons and their own personal risk factors. Black men, or men whose father or brother had prostate cancer before 65, should start that conversation at 45.
Bone Density Test
Women 65 and older should be screened routinely for osteoporosis; if you are at increased risk for fractures related to bone loss, begin screenings at 60.
Skin Cancer Examination
There is no set routine schedule but factors like an unusual amount of moles or rapid mole growth is something that everyone should look out for. If you notice moles that are asymmetrical, have ragged or blurred edges, pigmentation that is not uniform, larger than 6 mm in diameter or changes in size, shape or color, talk to your doctor.
Body Mass Index
A full yearly physical exam includes measurements of your height and weight and a calculation of your body mass index (BMI). BMI indicates obesity, which can assess the risk of serious health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. You can also calculate your BMI at home using an online BMI Calculator.
It’s time to take charge of your health! Put it on your to-do list to schedule an appointment with your health care provider to discuss what screenings and exams you need and when you need them. After you have any screening performed, be sure to follow up with your results and find out what they mean for your personal health. Also, discuss with your doctor how often these exams and screenings should be repeated. Their frequency and occurrence varies for every person depending on family history, risk factors and past health circumstances.