Your Guide To Preventive Healthcare By Irina
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Your Guide To Preventive Healthcare
Medical experts all agree that good health depends on improved access to and increased use of preventive services. With health insurance premiums being what they are and skyrocketing even further year after year, first part (affordable access to quality healthcare) can serve as a worthy subject for a whole book. Notwithstanding significance of problem, it is beyond scope of this article. More information on getting affordable access to quality healthcare is available from http://www.megaone.com/hbb/savemoney/affordable.html
If you already have access to preventive services, you are responsible, in large part, for managing your own care. Your primary-care practitioner is your partner, but numerous decisions of paramount importance are up to you. The following should help to decide if you need any of tests listed below. You should, if possible, have a copy of your test results and records.
These are major screening tests (that is, routine tests for people without symptoms) and adult immunizations. The advice is based largely on recommendations of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Most HMOs and Medicare cover these services; fewer traditional insurers pay for them. Infants, children, and pregnant women need other kinds of preventive care not described here.
- Blood pressure measurement (to detect hypertension) Who needs: All adults. How often: Once every 2 years for those with normal blood pressure. Comments: More frequent monitoring for those with readings of 130/85 or higher.
- Cholesterol measurement Who needs: All adults. How often: Once every 5 years. More often if total or LDL ("bad") cholesterol is high, HDL ("good") is low, and/or you have risk factors. Comments: Those at high risk for heart disease need medical advice about life-style changes and possibly drug therapy.
- Diabetes screening (fasting blood glucose test) Who needs: Everyone 45 and older; earlier for those at high risk. How often: Every 3 years. Comments: Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, obese people, and those with a strong family history need more frequent screening, starting at age 30.
- Dental checkup Who needs: All adults. How often: Every 6 months, or on professional advice. Comments: Should include cleaning and exam for oral cancer.
- Tetanus/diphtheria booster Who needs: All adults. How often: Every 10 years. Comments: People over 50 are least likely to be adequately immunized.
- Hepatitis B vaccine Who needs: All young adults, as well as adults at high risk. How often: On professional advice. Comments: All newborns should be vaccinated.
- Chickenpox vaccine Who needs: Anyone who has never had chickenpox. How often: Once. But above age 13 it requires two shots. Comments: Not recommended for pregnant women or those with compromised immunity.
- Pap smear (for early detection of cervical cancer) Who needs: All women with a cervix, starting at age 18, or earlier if sexually active. How often: If 3 annual tests are normal, then once every 3 years. More often if you smoke, have multiple sex partners or other risk factors. Comments: Some experts advise that women who have never had an abnormal result can stop being screened after age 65.
- Breast cancer screening (mammography) Who needs: All women 50 and over; those 40-49 should discuss riskfactors with a doctor. How often: Annually. Medicare reimburses for it. Comments: Clinical breast exams are also important-consult your doctor.
