How You Can Use Preventive Medicine To Stay in Good Health

Going to the doctor is rarely a fun pastime, but it is especially unenjoyable when you have a serious health concern that must be addressed. Medical procedures can be time-consuming, expensive and physically uncomfortable. Wouldn't it be preferable to stop these issues from developing in the first place? Although many medical problems are completely out of your control, there are a handful of things you can do to decrease the likelihood of future health issues. 

Develop Good Habits

Preventive medicine physicians such as Dominique Fradin-Read are well aware that peoples' lifestyles have long-lasting consequences for their health. Early in life, it may seem as though your body can withstand almost anything; to the contrary, each lifestyle decision has important implications for your future. Consider a few healthy habits you can develop now to prevent medical problems later in life:

• Diet: What you put into your body can impact your health in many ways. Eating a variety of foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, ensures that your body is not deficient in any of the vitamins or other nutrients you need to thrive. Diet can also influence your heart health, as eating too many high-cholesterol foods can lead to conditions such as atherosclerosis. 
• Exercise: Along with eating right, it is important to avoid being sedentary. While you don't have to be a world-champion weightlifter to be physically fit, it is important to exercise the muscles in your heart. Burning calories through exercise also helps to maintain a healthy weight.
• Substance Use: There are many substances that can harm your body when they are used in large quantities over a long period of time. It is prudent to drink alcohol only in moderation and to avoid smoking.

Visit Your Doctor

Regularly seeing a primary care physician or preventive medicine doctor, such as Dr. Dominique Fradin-Read, is another way to stay on top of any potential health concerns. Not only can these professionals help you to identify and address problematic habits, but they can also perform routine tests that may catch a developing issue in its early stages. This includes things as simple as measuring your blood pressure, checking your cholesterol and calculating your body mass index.

Sometimes medical issues pop up out of nowhere. While this is true, the majority of health problems reflect lifestyle choices. Consider how you could make small changes to your habits now that may positively impact your health in the future. The future you will be glad you did.