What is preventive medicine?
Preventive medicine is a type of whole body care that aims to ward off disease by keeping you healthy throughout life. The foundational principle of preventive medicine is that the steps you take to protect your health now can help minimize your risk of disease and illness.
Preventing disease is easier than treating it. By taking preventive measures, such as following a healthy diet and staying up-to-date on your immunizations, you can avoid invasive, costly, and time-consuming treatments in the future.
What is included in preventive medicine?
Preventive medicine aims to protect, promote, and maintain optimal health. Each individual’s preventive health care plan is unique, but most include:
Annual physicals
A physical exam is a comprehensive assessment that evaluates your overall health. The evaluation starts with a medical history review and includes a complete physical examination to help your doctor identify any potentially harmful changes to your health.
Health screenings
A health screening is a test that checks for signs of disease before you exhibit symptoms. Your age, sex, and medical history help determine the types of health screenings you need. Pap smears, bone density tests, blood pressure tests, and breast cancer screenings are some of the most common types.
Immunizations
Immunizations are preventive measures that help protect you and your community against infectious diseases. Also called vaccinations, immunizations cause your body’s immune system to release antibodies (proteins) that ward off specific pathogens.
By introducing a small amount of a weakened or dead virus into your body, a vaccine protects you from that pathogen when you come in contact with it.
Chronic disease management
Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and heart disease require routine management. Working with your doctor to create an individualized healthcare plan can help prevent the disease’s symptoms from progressing.
How can I practice preventive medicine at home?
Preventive medicine is a collaborative effort between you and your doctor. In addition to your in-office visits, you should implement healthy practices into your routine. These practices include:
- A healthy diet
- Regular exercise
- Smoking cessation
- Alcohol moderation
- Lowering your caffeine consumption
- Stress reduction
- Vitamins and supplements
To learn more about preventive medicine, call Osteopathic Medical Associates of Nevada, or schedule an appointment online today.
