Most of us go to the doctor when we get sick, right? When we have a fever, a cold, or when we feel unwell. But have you ever thought that you should see a doctor even when you are healthy and free of any illness? That's what we call 'Preventive Care'. It's like blocking the road before an illness occurs. How much better to prevent an illness than to suffer from it, right?
Simply put, what is prophylaxis?
Preventive care, or ``Prophylaxis'' in medical terms, refers to care that keeps you healthy and reduces your risk of developing diseases. Simply put, these are things you do to prevent diseases before they occur .
Imagine that you are using a car. You don't drive it until it breaks down, do you? You service it on time, change the engine oil, and check the air in the tires. Why do you do that? To prevent major repairs. The same goes for our bodies. If we take care of our bodies while we are healthy, we can prevent major illnesses to a great extent.
These preventative measures are not the same for everyone. What is right for you depends on several factors.
- Your age: The care a young person needs is not the same as a small baby. Also, the tests and care needed change as you get older.
- Your family history of diseases: If someone in your family has diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, you may be at risk for them too. Then you need to be especially careful about that.
- Your gender: There are health issues and tests that are specific to women and men.
- Your current health condition: If you already have a medical condition, preventive care will vary accordingly.
What preventive care do we often see?
Preventive care is not a big, complicated thing. We do some of these things in our daily lives. Here are some key examples.
Annual Wellness Visits
It's important to see your family doctor at least once a year for a complete checkup. This is especially important after the age of 40. At this time, your doctor will check your:
- Height and weight (see body mass index)
- Blood Pressure
- Heart rate
- Breathing
- Body temperature
- Eyes, ears, nose, throat and skin
These simple tests can provide your doctor with valuable information about your health condition, and they can then give you appropriate advice.
Getting Vaccinations
Vaccinations are one of the most effective ways of preventing diseases. We are all vaccinated from a young age. Remember the vaccination card we got when we were kids? It protects us from a host of dangerous diseases like tuberculosis, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella.
There are also vaccines that adults need to get. For example, the measles vaccine, the flu shots, and the recently introduced COVID-19 vaccine. The HPV vaccine, which prevents cervical cancer, is now being offered to young girls.
Vaccinations are like a shield that protects us from many diseases. So make sure you and your children get vaccinated according to the prescribed schedule.
Cancer Screenings
Cancer is a disease that many people fear. But if cancer is detected at an early stage, there is a much greater chance of it being completely cured. That is why we do these `(Screening)` tests to detect it early. Let us explain this further in the table below.
| Cancer type | Who should do these tests? | What test should be done and how often? |
|---|---|---|
| Breast cancer | Usually women over the age of 40. If someone in the family has it or there are other risk factors, you may need to start earlier. | Mammogram . Usually every 1-2 years. (As per your doctor's advice). |
| Cervical cancer | Any woman with a cervix, starting at age 25. | HPV test every 5 years or Pap smear every 3 years (up to age 65). |
| Colorectal Cancer | Both men and women between the ages of 45 and 75. Earlier if there is a family history. | Colonoscopy every 10 years (there are other tests too). |
| Lung cancer | People who smoke heavily or have quit smoking. | Annual low- dose CT scan. |
In addition to these, your doctor may recommend other tests depending on your risk. For example:
- A ``Breast MRI'' to look further into breast lumps.
- A ``(CA-125)`` blood test that checks for things like ovarian cancer.
- A blood test for men to check for prostate cancer (PSA).
The important thing is that these are just general guidelines. Be sure to talk to your doctor to find out exactly which test is right for you and when to have it.
Preventive care during pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time when you need to be very careful about the health of both the mother and the baby. The tests and advice given during this time often fall into the category of preventive care.
- Blood tests: Know things like anemia and Rh factor incompatibility in advance.
- Diabetes during pregnancy: A test to check for gestational diabetes.
- Screening for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted diseases .
- Vitamins: Providing prenatal vitamins, such as folic acid, which is essential for the baby's development.
- Scans: Scans like ``Transvaginal ultrasound`` are done to check the baby's development and if there are any complications.
- Raising awareness about breastfeeding.
Eye and dental health
The health of our eyes and teeth is also very important for our overall health.
- Eye Exam: Get your eyes checked regularly to detect conditions like vision loss and glaucoma early.
- Dental Health: It is very important to see a dentist at least once a year to have your teeth cleaned and your mouth examined to prevent cavities and gum disease. This examination also helps in early detection of oral cancer.
So, when should I get these tests done?
It's difficult to give a straight answer to this, because medical science is advancing day by day, and with it, the guidelines for these preventive care measures may also change.
Therefore, the best person to know what tests you need and when to have them is your doctor. He or she will consider everything from your age and health history to give you specific advice.
Most people go to the doctor when they are sick. But remember, seeing a doctor when you are healthy and have no problems can be the biggest investment you can make in protecting yourself from a lot of illness. You may not be able to prevent everything. But with these preventive measures, you can greatly increase your chances of living a healthy, happy life to the fullest.
Take-Home Message
- Don't wait until you get sick, see a doctor and check your health even when you are healthy.
- The screening tests you need may vary depending on your age and family medical history. Talk to your doctor about this.
- Vaccinations are like a shield that protects us from many diseases. Get your and your children's vaccines on time.
- Cancer can be completely cured if detected early. So be sure to attend regular cancer screenings.
- Eye and dental health are also very important for overall health. Don't forget to get them checked regularly.
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