What Is Preventive Medicine and How Do You Benefit?

Chronic diseases are increasingly prevalent in today’s society, with heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases, and diabetes all being some of the leading causes of death in the US. Rather than waiting around for a devastating diagnosis, preventive medicine treatment centers help people take control of their health and wellbeing in order to prevent disease, death, and disability.

What Is Preventive Medicine?

Why do you go to a doctor or other healthcare professional? Is it usually because you’re sick or in pain and want to have your existing symptoms treated? This traditional healthcare model involves waiting until something is wrong or broken and then seeking treatment to make the problems go away. As the prevalence of various chronic diseases and other health problems increases, people are suffering more while also watching the financial burden increase. The preventive medicine model seeks to break this cycle by helping people take control of their health before it ever falls apart. Preventive healthcare is about disease prevention as well as decreasing disability and death. It is a multifaceted field that takes into account genetic factors, environmental factors, lifestyle choices, disease agents, and other elements that can cause or contribute to future disease. By taking steps to prevent disease rather than wait around until it comes knocking on your door, you can life a happier and healthier life while also lowering healthcare costs and other burdens.

What May Your Preventive Healthcare Involve?

Preventive healthcare isn’t about focusing on just one thing – it’s about taking a look at the big picture where your health is concerned and minimizing risks where possible. This may involve genetic screenings, standard immunizations, physical examinations and checkups, screening for risk factors for common ailments like hypertension or cancer, and more. It is also about making lifestyle choices that reduce your risk for disease, such as quitting smoking, choosing a healthful diet, and getting enough physical activity. You may work with physicians, registered dietitians, exercise professionals, physical therapists, nurses, and other professionals to help detect and prevent disease.

What Are Things You Should Be Doing to Improve Your Health?

An appointment at a preventive medicine treatment center is a great way to start your preventive healthcare journey. The experts can help you come up with an individualized approach to maximize your health. You can also start making healthful lifestyle choices like getting the recommended amount of sleep, drinking more water, participating in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, or getting the recommended 25-30 grams of fiber each day.