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Below is a list of other preventive care. If you answer yes to any
of the statements, discuss whether you need screening with your health care provider.
If you:
- Have diabetes, or if you are over age 40 and African American, or if
you are over age 60:
You should have routine eye examinations.
- Have had sexual intercourse without condoms, have had multiple sexual
partners or have had a sexually transmitted disease:
You may need AIDS (HIV), syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or hepatitis tests.
- Have injected illegal drugs or had a blood transfusion between 1978
and 1985:
You may need an AIDS (HIV) and/or hepatitis test.
- Have had a family member with diabetes, are overweight or have had
diabetes during pregnancy:
You may need a diabetes (glucose) test.
- Are over age 65:
You may need a hearing test.
- Now or in the past, have ever consumed a lot of alcohol or have
smoked or chewed tobacco:
You may need a mouth examination.
- Are a man 50 years of age or older:
You may need a prostate examination.
- Are a man aged 15-35 years, particularly if you have a testicle that
is abnormally small or not in the normal position:
You may need a testicular examination.
- Have had skin cancer in your family or if you have had a lot of sun
exposure:
You may need a skin examination.
- Have had radiation treatments of your upper body:
You may need a thyroid examination.
- Have been exposed to tuberculosis (TB), or if you have recently moved
from Asia, Africa, Central or South America, or the Pacific Islands, or if you have kidney
failure, diabetes, HIV, alcoholism or use illegal drugs:
You may need a tuberculosis test (PPD).
Tobacco Use
Don't start smoking or using smokeless tobacco. If you do smoke,
quit. It is the best thing you can do to stay healthy. Ask your health care provider to
help you pick a date to quit and for advice on how to keep from starting again. Before
trying to quit, stop smoking in places that you spend a lot of time (like at home or in
the car). Once you have quit, avoid smoking even one puff and try to keep yourself away
from all cigarettes. Talk with your provider about things to do when you want a cigarette.
If you fail the first time, don't give up. Keep trying and learn from your experience. Ask
yourself what helped or did not help you in trying to quit. You can succeed and live a
healthier and longer life.
If you have young children, your smoking may harm their health; if
you quit, you will be helping them stay healthy, too.
Physical Activity
Being physically active will help you feel better and maintain a
healthy weight. Regular physical activity helps to control your blood pressure and
cholesterol, and strengthens your heart, muscles and bones. Even daily activities such as
housework, walking, or raking leaves will help. Pick activities that you enjoy, that fit
into your daily routine, and that you can do with a friend or family member. Make time to
exercise, start slow, and keep at it. Start with regular walking before choosing a more
difficult activity. Try for a total of 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the
week.
If you do not have a regular exercise program, talk with your health
care provider about ways you can start one.
Nutrition
Eating the right foods will help you live a longer, healthier life.
Many illnesses—such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure—can be
prevented or controlled through a healthy diet. It is never too late to start eating
right. Follow the simple guidelines below.
Dietary Guidelines
- Eat a variety of foods.
- Balance the food you eat with physical activity—maintain or
improve your weight.
- Choose a diet with plenty of grain products, vegetables, and fruits.
- Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
- Choose a diet moderate in sugars.
- Choose a diet moderate in salt and sodium.
- If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation. (Moderation is
no more than one drink daily for women and no more than two drinks daily for men.)
Depression
We all feel "down" or "blue" at times. However,
if these feelings are very strong or last for a long time, they may be due to medical
illness—depression.
This illness can be treated, but is often not recognized by patients
and health care providers. Some of the warning signs of depression are listed below. If
you have four or more of these warning signs, be sure to talk to your provider about
depression.
Warning Signs of Depression
- Feeling sad, hopeless, or guilty most of the time.
- Loss of interest and pleasure in daily activities.
- Sleep problems (either too much or too little).
- Fatigue, low energy, or feeling "slowed down".
- Problems making decisions or thinking clearly.
- Crying a lot.
- Changes in appetite or weight (up or down).
- Thoughts of suicide or death.
Powerd by www.ahrq.gov
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