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| Image credit: CDC Public Health Library |
Men are especially notorious for ignoring their health;
especially at the holidays. But women shouldn't postpone having an annual physical either. Scheduling a health exam can give you and your
family peace of mind. Also, most insurance co-payments will go up in 2013,
making getting a health check-up now a good budgetary decision.
Disease
prevention
According to University of Alabama physician and
Professor of Internal Medicine, Stephen
Russell, M.D, getting a physical helps with prevention, which in turn
saves cost in the long run.
“We think it’s important for all people
in their twenties to establish relationships with a primary care physician,
because that’s when we can get baseline health information, discuss family
health history, talk about lifestyle changes and evaluate for obesity-related
illnesses,” Russell said in a press release.
Cost savings
Knowing your current health status means
you’ll save money.
“Evidence is clear that we can save a
tremendous amount of money through primary prevention,” Russell said. “Silent conditions can be
identified, and we can intervene and save on long-term health-care costs.”
Health checkups should start before age
20. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) you should have your blood pressure checked
every two years starting at age 18.
Other important testing includes
prostate cancer screening for men starting at age 50 or sooner if there is a
strong family history of the disease. Women too should have a colonoscopy
starting at age 50, yearly mammogram and PAP smears.
It’s important for everyone to get an
annual cholesterol check and some pediatricians recommend even recommend widespread
testing for children.
The CDC, as well as UAB Division of
Infectious Diseases Associate Professor Turner Overton, M.D say men in their 40’s
should be tested at least once for Hepatitis C.
Overton warns you might not have
symptoms until cirrhosis and liver failure occurs. People at highest risk are
those born between 1945 and 1965.
A one-time screening for HIV is also
recommended. Like Hepatitis C, the disease might not manifest until AIDS
symptoms are present.
Empowerment
Knowledge is power. Understanding your
health and risks means taking an active part in decisions that can lead to
improved health. Russell explains getting a complete physical can “…
give people the power to make health choices, and Americans are independent and
like to make decisions based on information.”
It literally pays to get a health exam this year - and every year. The benefits include cost savings, empowerment and good health through preventive screenings.
Reference:
11/29/12
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