Health & Fitness
5 Ways To Be More Proactive With Your Healthcare
Dr. Jessica Regnaert, a Banner Health physician, shares some practical tips for patients of all ages.
Staying healthy is an important commitment to make to yourself, and being proactive about your health care is an easy way to ensure you’re making the best possible medical decisions for yourself.
Here are five simple ways to stay ahead of the game when it comes to your own health and the health of your family, according to Banner Health experts:
#1 Eat Healthy And Exercise
You know the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?" Turns out, it's true — particularly when it comes to being proactive about your health.
"Nothing beats a healthy diet and exercise," says Dr. Jessica Regnaert, a Banner Health physician practicing in Mesa, Arizona. "There is nothing better you can do for your health — even at a young age — than to eat healthy and try to incorporate exercise on a regular basis to be a lifetime habit."
Learn More About Diet And Behavior Modification
#2 Get Your Annual Checkup
"You want to try to make sure that you find things before they become problems," says Dr. Regnaert. "If you're doing a regular yearly check with your primary care doctor, usually those things get picked up in the very early stages, and then your chance of survival is much higher."
"It's important to have a good relationship with your primary care doctor for many reasons," she adds. "The first one is to make sure you're up to date on your preventive health care."
Schedule An Annual Wellness Visit
#3 Discuss Your Family History
Find out if your family has a history of heart disease, certain cancers, high blood pressure or other common conditions. Tell your primary care doctor about any disorders that run in your family.
For example, if you know a close relative suffered a massive heart attack at a young age, it's important to share this information with your doctor. With this family history in mind, Dr. Regnaert says, "You can work together with your primary care doctor to get your blood pressure under control or your cholesterol under control."
Being proactive when it comes to your family historycan be hugely helpful "in preventing the stuff that maybe a parent or grandparent had [from happening to you]," says Dr. Regnaert.
#4 Get Screened
Prevention is the best cure, but some risks are beyond your control. In those cases, early detection is the next best thing.
Your age, gender and family history are all factors in determining which screenings or tests are essential preventative health measures for you. Knowing which screenings you're due for and when might seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.
"The best way to know is to go see your primary care doctor, and they'll know what prevention tests you're due for," says Dr. Regnaert. "Another place to look at is the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force — they have a list of what preventative screenings should be done at each age as well."
Find Out Which Screening Tests Are Right For You
#5 Know About The Medicines You're Taking
As a patient, it's important to know some basic information about any medicines you may be taking. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about why you're taking each medicine, what it does and how fast it will work. Make sure you understand the correct dosage for you and what time of day it should be taken.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if there are any special instructions for your medicine, or if there are any activities, foods or other medicines you should avoid while taking it. It's also important to discuss potential side effects and what to do if you experience them.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all products you're using, including vitamins, herbal supplements and any over-the-counter drugs. Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects, reduce the effectiveness of your medicine or possibly increase the action of a particular medicine.
Find Your Perfect Doctor At Banner Health
More From Banner Health:
- How to Take Part in Every Medical Decision
- Screening Tests for Common Diseases
- Talking to Your Healthcare Provider: Play an Active Role
First Photo Credit: eggeegg/Shutterstock
