With all the news reports talking about the increase in diabetes, heart disease and other serious health problems, it’s a good idea to turn your thoughts to your own health and whether you are doing everything you should to promote your own physical wellbeing. Our Brandon, FL, primary care physicians Dr. Joel Biggers and Dr. Elizabeth Biggers are here to tell you more about the different ways you can incorporate preventive medicine into your current lifestyle.
What is preventive medicine?
There is a reason medical experts say to visit a general practitioner once a year for routine physicals and checkups. After all, not all health problems present with symptoms. So you could be dealing with an issue such as high blood pressure or diabetes and not even know it until it’s too late. The goal of preventive medicine is to provide you with the care you need to prevent these issues from happening in the first place.
For example, we have all heard that being overweight or obese can increase your chances for other long-term and serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. By working with our Brandon, FL, doctors to reduce your weight safely through a healthy diet and more active lifestyle you could stave off these health problems. Plus, getting the proper and thorough preventive health care now could actually save you a lot of money in the future.
Preventive medicine also includes:
- Wellness checkups/physical exams
- Vaccinations
- Routine screenings (everything from blood pressure checks to cholesterol tests)
- Counseling
Of course, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is another way to prevent many health problems. Luckily, there are habits you can adopt each and every day that could reduce your risk:
- Wash your hands often
- Eat a healthy, balance diet
- Exercise regularly
- Find an outlet for your stress (e.g. yoga; meditation; painting)
- Quit smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
We know that everyone leads busy lives, but this doesn’t mean that your health should fall by the wayside as a result. Here at Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL, we believe preventive medicine is key to leading a happy, healthy life. If you need to schedule a routine checkup for you or a family member, call our office today.