While some illnesses merely incapacitate a person for a few days, others can significantly undermine health and negatively affect life expectancy. All diseases can be prevented by detecting them as early as possible. In order to do this, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle and get regular checkups.
A Good Lifestyle
Even with a poor heredity, you can try to lower your risk of developing diseases. In addition to a healthy diet, sports (if your health allows it) and quality sleep, you should also take individual preventive measures:
- Follow the rules of personal hygiene;
- get rid of bad habits;
- keep the house clean, ventilate and humidify the air in the rooms more often;
- dress for the weather;
- organize your workplace properly so that it is comfortable to sit;
- Avoid stress.
Such good habits will improve well-being and performance. A simple daily shower and regular hand washing will help to avoid infections and parasite infestations.
But in addition to personal prevention, it’s important to have your health monitored by professionals. To do this:
- Have regular preventive medical check-ups (especially if you know of any diseases);
- Do routine vaccinations.
Under medical supervision
Regular medical check-ups are an important part of disease prevention. Even if you feel well, you should see a doctor at least to make sure you are healthy. Many people are afraid to go to the doctor beyond the escalation of disease, fearing a sudden terrible diagnosis. But remember: any illness is much easier to cure at the beginning, when it does not make itself felt.
If you know about your illnesses, you probably know which specialist you should go to. At least once a year (if not more often required), be sure to visit your doctor with up-to-date test results: MRI, blood chemistry, hormone tests, etc. If there is a negative trend, your doctor will suggest treatment or refer you for more in-depth examinations.
If you think you are healthy, it is not a reason not to be examined. You can use checkups to keep your health under control. Depending on the program, the check-up may include tests, ultrasound examinations of the abdominal and pelvic organs, vascular scans, chest CT scans and consultations with specialists, etc. Full body examinations are worthwhile once every 1-2 years, especially for people over 40. In between major examinations, you can additionally get blood tests, a fluorography and a visit to your general practitioner.
There are several tests that can help you monitor your health and prevent disease. They are recommended to be taken regularly. Of course, they should be interpreted only by a doctor: a general practitioner or a more narrow specialist. The list of tests includes:
- blood tests: general and biochemical tests, cholesterol, ALT, AST, TTG, coagulogram. It is possible to take additional tests for oncomarkers;
- Urine tests: general and biochemical analysis;
- smears for cancer markers and sexually transmitted diseases;
- fluorography;
- Gynecologist and mammologist for women;
- A urologist and proctologist for men.
And don’t forget to see your dentist regularly to avoid not only toothaches, but also infections of the mouth and throat.