Preventative healthcare saves lives and money.  It is estimated that thousands of lives and millions of dollars can be saved annually if more Americans take preventative measures with their healthcare.  Preventative tests promote early detection of many medical conditions as well as thwart conditions from arising in the first place.  They allow doctors to check for any signs of a threatening condition.  By finding a condition before it is able to develop, you are able to medicate (and hopefully cure) the condition before while it is still tolerable.  These tests will require less advanced technology and therefore will be less expensive.  Depending on your age and gender, it is recommended that you get certain tests and vaccines more often than others.

Vaccinations are just one of the preventative services we all need

9 preventative measures to maintaining your health:

1. Routine Vaccinations: it is important to get routine vaccinations, like the flu, tetanus, and Hepatitis shots.  Protecting yourself from illnesses will keep your immune system healthy and ready to fight off other diseases.
2. Blood Pressure Screenings: these screenings will monitor your blood pressure and advise you on how to maintain a healthy blood pressure level.  Regular screenings will monitor your level to avoid the risk of a cardiac event.
3. Cholesterol tests: your awareness of this level will also help you know if your level risks a cardiac event.  If your cholesterol level is too high, your doctor can give you tips for lowering it.
4. Blood tests: these tests can determine if you have certain conditions that you are unaware of.  Such conditions include diabetes, anemia, and thyroid disorders.
5. Annual check-ups: these will check to make sure you’re maintaining a healthy weight (unhealthy weigh puts you at risk for many medical conditions) and they will check that you are up to date on all your medications.  Check-ups are also another opportunity to get your blood pressure and other tests updated.
6. Bone mass tests: these tests examine you bone density to determine if you are at risk for osteoporosis.
7. Mammograms (for women): women should get an annual mammogram to detect breast cancer.
8. Cervical Cancer Shots (for women): these shots will help protect women against developing cervical cancer.
9. Prostate Cancer check-ups (for men): There is a 1 in 6 chance that men will develop prostate cancer.   Men should get regular examinations to catch any signs of the development of prostate cancer.

Now, new Healthcare regulations require that many preventative tests are covered by your insurance carrier!  These new regulations will be applied to insurance plans no later than September 23, 2010.  So there is no reason why you should avoid doctor’s office, even when you are healthy.  Also, it is important to stay up-to-date on all of your medical tests.  This task of managing all of your medical needs may seem daunting at first, but making it more of a routine will help you stay on track.  Importantly, routine visits to the doctor’s office will develop your relationship with your doctor.  Your relationship is so central to your health because it allows your doctor to become familiar with you and your conditions.  This way, he or she will be able to notice changes in your behavior and medical tests that may be indicative of an arising medical condition.

Every year, more than 16,000 Americans are infected with Lyme disease, a disease spread by deer ticks that carry the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Discovered in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975, Lyme disease can be found throughout the United States and even into Europe. Ticks themselves are infected with the disease after feeding on deer and mice. Ticks can also easily bite people as they’re walking through grass, and pets are known to carry deer ticks into the household.

Check out what a deer tick really looks like! Placed next to a belt buckle you can see how tiny they really are!

Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose because few people remember even being bitten by a tick, while lab testing has accrued false test results. People with Lyme disease have been misdiagnosed with other neural illnesses, like Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and even Multiple Sclerosis. The Time for Lyme organization is working to fund more research on Lyme disease.  Currently, researchers are working to more easily determine Lyme disease from other neurological diseases to avoid wrong diagnoses and improve patient health.

Most people develop a red “bull’s eye” shaped rash, also known as erythema migrans, generally located around the legs or buttocks.  The rash is very distinctive, with pale skin surrounded by a red circular rash. Even this can cause problems with diagnosis, because around 20 percent of people with Lyme disease don’t even get the rash. Other Lyme disease sufferers can experience flulike symptoms—especially fever, chill, and fatigue. Others suffer from joint pain, stiff neck, facial paralysis, heart problems, and other physical problems.

Early stage Lyme disease is often treatable by a regimen of antibiotics. In June, Massachusetts passed a law allowing physicians to treat Lyme disease with extended aggressive treatment, protecting them from regulatory bodies and allowing patients to get the treatment they need. Many Lyme disease patients feel that long term, aggressive treatment is more effective in combating the illness. Opponents, including some physicians’ groups, argue that such prolonged use of strong antibiotics may be detrimental to patients’ health in the long run. Connecticut passed a similar law back in 2009.

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for Lyme disease.  Deer ticks are most visible from May to July, so take extra precautions during this time period.. There are several simple steps you can take to avoid both ticks and infection. Remember, not every tick carries Lyme disease, although it is important to remain vigilant. If you can, try to avoid grassy areas where deer ticks may lurk. If you have to enter woody, grassy areas, wear long pants and tuck them into your shoes to protect skin from ticks.  Plus, make sure you utilize tick repellent (with 20 to 30 percent DEET) to maximize your protection.  You should not use tick repellent on young children.

Check your body after going outside, and if you do find a tick on your body, remember that it takes 24 hours for a tick to infect you with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, so you can safely remove it with tweezers.  Still, if you have been bitten by a tick, make sure to consult a doctor.

Being healthy starts with what you eat!

You’ve always been reminded to “eat your fruits and veggies”, but what is the big attraction to these two food groups? Eating your fruits and veggies can reduce your risk of chronic diseases. The news frequently gives us new stories divulging the latest research about foods you need to eat more of or foods you should avoid.  Some claim to lower your cholesterol, help you lose weight, or make you live longer.  These boundless stories and choices make it difficult to decipher which foods are actually the best choices to eat. Well, we have narrowed down the list for you.  The following are foods that you should make sure to eat every day.  Chronic diseases are the cause of 59% of deaths around the world yearly. By eating these foods each day, you can reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

1-2. Blueberries and Tomatoes

Fruit, in general, is known to reduce your risk of many cancers, such as mouth, lung, and digestive cancer.  Blueberries are known as the “miracle fruit” due to all of the health benefits of blueberries.  They have tons of antioxidants that prevent the damaging of cells. All these antioxidants and vitamins help keep your immune system running in good order and it helps with vision and healthy skin, among many others.  The nutrients in tomatoes have similar health benefits and, yes, a tomato is considered a fruit.  The bright red color of a tomato is given by a carotene called lycopene which protects against many other cancers.

3-4. Carrots and Spinach

Vegetables are important in your daily food intake because they are known to help prevent Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), a chronic heart disease.  Carrots in particular have a high content of Vitamin A and fat-solutes.  These sources reduce your risk for cancer by promoting good cell communication.

For spinach and leafy foods, a darker leaves have more nutrition.  These nutrients reduce muscle degeneration, which protect your bones at risk for osteoporosis.  Spinach contains folate.  This vitamin reduces your risk of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).  These vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in vegetables reduce your risk for many cancers.

5. Yogurt

Yogurt contains several vitamins and nutrients.  These help boost your immune system to reduce your risk of chronic disease.  Calcium and Vitamin D found in yogurt will protect your bones from osteoporosis.  You can also find “probiotic” bacteria in yogurt, which is active in your digestive track to help reduce digestive cancers.  Calcium also prevents tooth decay; and good mouth health can increase your immune system and reduce your risk of bacterial infections.

6-7. Salmon and Nuts

Salmon and walnuts are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids.  The high content of omega-3s is great for heart protection.  They lower your blood pressure and raise circulation, both of which reduce your risks for chronic heart diseases such as CHD.

8. Whole grains

The fiber found in whole grains help to lower your cholesterol, which reduces our risk of heart diseases.  They also have low concentrations of glycemic.  This reduces your chance of becoming diabetic.

Eat right and stay healthy! Exercise is also important to maintaining your health and reducing your risk of chronic diseases.  You should have 20 minutes of vigorous cardio activity 3-4 times per week.  To reduce your risk of many chronic diseases you should also avoid high alcohol consumption, lower or avoid tobacco use, and reduce the amount of salt in your diet.