An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
It’s an old cliché, but when it comes to your health, it’s very true! Who wouldn’t prefer to not get sick in the first place, or at the very least, catch it early on?
There are a lot of things we can do to stay healthy and reduce our chances of getting sick. Think of it as a three-legged stool: preventative medicine and proactive health screenings, along with an ongoing relationship with your primary care provider (PCP), form the foundation of preventative health care.
First Line of Defense: Your PCP
“A primary care provider is your one-stop for the vast majority of healthcare needs,” says Dr. Mark Hammonds, a family medicine physician in North Richland Hills. “Yes, we are there for you when you get sick or suffer an injury. But equally important, we’re there to help prevent you from getting sick in the first place.”
Your PCP will have all your health records, medication history and know when you are due for certain screenings or vaccines. He or she will know your health history and if it calls for more frequent screenings in some cases.
Your insurance plan requires you to have a PCP. Generally, you should see that provider first anytime you need healthcare.
PCPs are the people who keep everything on track and on time as it relates to your health care.
Second Line of Defense: Vaccines
If you have young children, you know the importance of making sure they are up to date on vaccines. But vaccines are not just for kids – adults need them from time to time, as well.
The following recommended immunization schedule is for most adults. Additional immunizations and/or a modified immunization schedule may be recommended by your PCP based upon medical history and overall health. For adults who did not receive – or are unsure if they received – certain vaccines in their youth, they should discuss this with their health care provider, who may recommend receiving some additional vaccinations as an adult.
| COVID-19 | |
| Who Needs It & When | Everyone, once a year |
| Why It’s Important | COVID-19 is still with us. It continues to mutate, and getting a vaccine annually is the best way to prevent getting it and be less sick if you do get it. |
| Influenza (Flu) | |
| Who Needs It & When | Everyone, once a year |
| Why It’s Important | At a minimum, the flu will cause you to feel miserable for a week or even longer. For some people, it can lead to hospitalization and even death. Getting a flu shot is one of the best things you can do for your health. |
| Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) | |
| Who Needs It & When | Pregnant women who are pregnant at 32 weeks, 0 days through 36 weeks, 6 days from September through January. People aged 60 or older, after a discussion with your PCP. People at higher risk are recommended to receive this vaccine. |
| Why It’s Important | While RSV usually only causes mild symptoms, it can lead to more serious illness, including bronchiolitis – the inflammation of the lungs’ small airways – and pneumonia. RSV can be especially dangerous for older adults. |
| Tetanus, diphtheria & acellular pertussis (Tdap) | |
| Who Needs It & When | Any adult who did not receive a Tdap as a child (11-12 years) should receive one dose. Women who are pregnant should receive a Tdap between the 27th and 36th week of each pregnancy for the protection of the mother and baby. Family members and others who will be spending time around a newborn should receive a Tdap at least two weeks before the child is born for the child’s protection |
| Why It’s Important | Pertussis continues to be a significant health risk, with continued reports of the disease in the United States. Since babies are especially vulnerable to the disease, a Tdap during pregnancy helps provide protection. |
| Tetanus/diphtheria (Td) | |
| Who Needs It & When | Once one has received a Tdap, regardless of age, everyone needs to get a Td booster every 10 years. For someone who suffers a significant wound, a Td booster or Tdap should be administered if it has been 5 years or longer since the last dose. |
| Why It’s Important | Unlike other infections, tetanus does not spread from person to person. It is a type of bacteria that live in soil, dust and manure and can enter the body through a superficial wound, even a minor cut or scrape. Getting a tetanus booster every 10 years is critical to protecting against this risk. |
| Hepatitis B (HepB) | |
| Who Needs It & When | Adults between ages 19 and 59; three-dose series |
| Why It’s Important | Hepatitis B is a common liver disease caused by a virus. The vaccine provides 80% – 100% protection. |
| Zoster (Shingles) | |
| Who Needs It & When | Adults at age 50; two doses, 2-6 months apart |
| Why It’s Important | Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Most people carry the virus, whether or not they ever had chickenpox. |
| Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23) | |
| Who Needs It & When | Adults at age 65 |
| Why It’s Important | Senior citizens are much more susceptible to developing pneumonia, a severe respiratory illness that claims the lives of more than 50,000 Americans each year. PPSV23 helps protect against 23 different strains of pneumococcal bacteria. |
Third Line of Defense: Routine Screenings
The third main component of preventative health care is to have routine health screenings from time to time. Like with vaccines, everyone is unique – these are general recommended guidelines that will apply to most adults. Your primary care provider will let you know if you should have any of these screenings more frequently or begin them earlier.
Heart Health Screenings
Heart disease is the number one killer of American adults. The three conditions most linked to heart disease – high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes – can be easily screened for and detected early.
| Cholesterol Screening | |
| Who Needs It & When | Adults every 4-6 years, if no history of heart disease. Adults with a history of heart disease should visit with their physician about how often to be screened. |
| Why It’s Important | Elevated cholesterol can be successfully treated with prescription drugs known as statins. |
| Blood Pressure Screening | |
| Who Needs It & When | Men and women, age 18-39 with normal blood pressure: every three to five years. Men and women, age 40 and older and adults under 40 with elevated blood pressure: every year. |
| Why It’s Important | Hypertension is called the ‘silent killer’ because it has no symptoms, even as it damages arteries and creates additional strain on the heart. High blood pressure also increases the risk of diabetes. |
| Diabetes Screening | |
| Who Needs It & When | Men and women ages 45 and older, every three years. Men and women ages 19-44, if overweight or obese. Women who have had gestational diabetes. |
| Why It’s Important | Diabetes is a metabolic disorder resulting from the body not using food properly. Diabetes may cause a number of serious health problems, including heart disease, vision loss, kidney disease and nerve damage. Through regular screenings, physicians can often catch the onset of diabetes and get blood sugar back to within a normal range. |
Cancer Screenings
There are hundreds of types of cancer and unfortunately, there is not yet a reliable screening test for all of them. However, there are proven tests for some of the most common types of cancers.
| Breast Cancer Screening | |
| Who Needs It & When | Women ages 25-39 should have a clinical breast exam every 1-3 years. Women ages 40 and older should have a clinical breast exam every year. Women ages 40-49 who have a normal risk of breast cancer should have a mammogram every year or every other year. All women ages 50 and older should have a mammogram every year or two years. Screening should continue until at least age 75. |
| Why It’s Important | Clinical breast exams and mammograms are the keys to early detection of breast cancer. We have made tremendous strides in helping women beat breast cancer, and early detection leads to more effective treatment. |
| Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Test & Pelvic Exam) | |
| Who Needs It & When | Women ages 21-29 should have a Pap test every three years. Women ages 30-65 have options for regular testing: a Pap test and human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years or a Pap test alone every three years and an HPV test alone every five years |
| Why It’s Important | The Pap test is used to detect cervical cancer, as well as cellular changes that may eventually lead to cancer. By detecting these changes early, physicians can treat or even prevent cancer from occurring in the first place. |
| Colorectal Cancer Screening (Colonoscopy) | |
| Who Needs It & When | For healthy adults, colorectal screening should begin at age 45. If there are no abnormal results, repeat test once every ten years until age 75 |
| Why It’s Important | Colorectal cancer, cancer of the colon or rectum, is the fourth-most diagnosed non-skin cancer in the country. Among cancers that affect both men and women, it is the second deadliest. |
For information on optional cancer screenings, such lung cancer and prostate cancer, as well as genetic testing for cancer, see our in-depth article on cancer screenings.
Other Screenings
There are many additional health screenings available that may be appropriate, depending on your age, gender and health history. Your PCP can review these with you. Three of the more common additional screenings include:
- Glaucoma screening: Glaucoma is a serious eye disease and if untreated, can lead to vision loss. People over the age of 40 should discuss the merits of this screening with their PCP.
- Osteoporosis screening: Osteoporosis is a disease that increases the risk of bone fractures in older adults, especially women. Your provider may recommend a bone mineral density test, especially if you have one or more risk factors for osteoporosis. This is a painless test, similar to an x-ray, that measures bone density in the hip and spine.
- Hearing screening: Hearing loss is common, especially as we get older. An otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) and audiologist can diagnose hearing loss and determine if hearing aids are warranted.
An Ounce of Prevention…
You know the rest!
“If you’re not sure if you are current on your vaccines, health screenings or just have general questions about your health, make an appointment to see your PCP,” says Dr. Murali Manne, an internal medicine physician in Fort Worth. “That’s where your preventative health care starts – and we are here to help keep you healthy!”
This article has been reviewed and approved by a panel of Privia Medical Group North Texas physicians.
This article contains information sourced from:
