Think Before, Thank Later

Preventative medicine is practiced by all physicians and largely tied to lifestyle habits. Thinking in advance and to have a healthier future is the core of preventative medicine. Getting a balanced diet and exercising daily are just the tip of the iceberg. Small changes can have big impacts.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes are entirely in the individual’s control. These are the easiest habits to practice and improve. Anything to create a healthier mind and body can be considered preventative medicine. The basic lifestyle habits that can increase one’s lifespan include: eating healthy, not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, exercising for at least 20 mins a day, and maintaining a healthy weight. Healthy behaviors should be encouraged over convenience.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations prevent the contraction and spread of both curable and incurable diseases. Certain diseases like Smallpox have been entirely eradicated thanks to vaccines. Polio is likely to be next. The immune system must first contract a disease, and then build antibodies to both fight and remember the germs. Vaccinations create an easier way for the immune system to create these antibodies. Vaccines prevent future illness. Vaccines are the perfect example of preventative medicine. Most people start getting vaccinations at a young age with benchmarks as the years pass. Each age group has a set of recommended vaccines to fit the body’s development and adapt to environmental factors.

Genetic testing

Genetic testing can identify marker for specific diseases and ailments. The markers do not mean the individual will for sure contract the disease or ailments, just that there is a higher than normal chance. From breast cancer to Parkinson’s disease, genetic testing can help families take the necessary steps to prevent or delay the onset of symptoms. Identifying genetic markers can also help determine treatment plans. Couples will use genetic testing to determine if having a child is a good idea. Genetic testing prevents future suffering.

Seeking medical help early on

Almost every person has been there. Waiting to go to the doctor till the symptoms become too much to bear. Soldiering through the discomfort and hoping that home remedies will be enough. There is a time and place for home remedies. Yet it should be noted that something as simple as the flu can escalate into pneumonia. Untreated strep throat can quickly become a tonsillar abscess. It is not necessary to go to the doctor for every cut, scrape, and sniffle. But seeking early medical attention for the more serious ailments is essential. The goal is to prevent an escalation of symptoms to a more severe medical condition.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Get childhood vaccinations. Undergo genetic testing for familial diseases. If a sore throat starts becoming worse, go see a doctor. Creating a future free of suffering is at the heart of preventative medicine. Preventative medicine can save a life.