8 must do health tasks for 2014
Women: Time to mark your 2014 calendars with important dates for the upcoming year! Don’t forget to include important health screenings and check ups!
Learn more about the important health tasks you need to do in 2014!
1. Physical
Routine physicals can uncover many seemingly minor problems that could become significant health issues if left untreated. Getting a yearly physical gives you not only a clear picture of your health, but a clear idea of what you can do to be as healthy as possible.
2. Glucose/Cholesterol/Blood pressure
Diabetes and heart disease are two very common and very serious diseases. Testing glucose and cholesterol levels at regular intervals can help your primary care provider monitor your risk and ensure that prompt an appropriate treatment be prescribed if any abnormalities are found.
3. Flu shot
Influenza can be a serious disease for some patients. Many regard the flu as only slightly more dangerous than a cold, but for people at risk because of other illnesses such as cancer or respiratory diseases, getting the flu can be quite serious. Make a resolution to get your flu shot every year. This will not only protect you from the illness but will help prevent you inadvertently spreading it to others.
4. Skin
Exposure to sun, among other factors, can cause rapid changes to your skin and can put you at risk for developing skin cancer. Frequent skin exams will help you become familiar with what is normal for your skin, and to help you recognize if something develops that is not. Monthly self-exams are recommended and can be complimented by an annual clinical skni exam by a primary care provider or dermatologist.
5. Breast exam
Most women are aware of the risk of developing breast cancer. One of the best ways to maintain breast health is to do routine breast exams. Many find doing a monthly self-exam to be a good way to learn what is normal for your body. American Cancer Society guidelines indicate that a yearly breast exam by a healthcare provider is recommended for women over the age of 25. If you’ve never done a self- exam try doing one right after your clinical exam so you know what your breasts feel like normally.
6. Dental exam
Many people don’t realize that poor dental health can put you at risk for other serious health issues like heart disease. For good health yearly dental check-ups are just as important as any other check-up.
7. Pelvic
Many women believe that if they don’t need STD or Pap testing, a pelvic exam is not needed either. But that is not the case. Yearly pelvic exams serve as a checkup on a women’s reproductive system and are valuable in detecting potential problems early on.
8. Specialized screenings based on age and lifestyle
Some specialized screenings are recommended for women based on their age, family history and lifestyle. These include:
- Pap smear: Recently recommendations have changed from a yearly Pap smear to varying intervals based on personal history. Check with your provider to find out when screening is appropriate for you.
- Colonoscopy: Screening colonoscopy is recommended for women and men at the age of 50 if there is no family history. If you have a family history, or a personal history, check with your provider to find out when screening is appropriate for you.
- Mammogram: For some women, yearly mammograms are common after the age of 40. If you have a family history, or a personal history, check with your provider to find out when screening is appropriate for you. Request a mammogram appointment now!
These screenings are very important test that can help early stages of very serious health issues. Early detection saves lives and allows providers to offer more treatments and often faster resolution of health issues. Your primary care provider can evaluate your individual need for these screenings and can direct you on the frequency with which they may be appropriate for you.
The good news is that many of these important tasks can be taken care of with one visit to your trusted primary care physician. For busy women, getting so many to-do’s off our list with one visit, makes a lot of sense
Call (717) 231-8900 if you need help finding a doctor to set up any of your 2014 Health Tasks!
This article provided by PinnacleHealth
