Preventive Testing Lifestyle Change

Do lifestyle changes (like proper diet, low weight, exercise, avoidance of tobacco, etc.) really keep the hypertension and high cholesterol under control if it runs in your family? Genetic disposition to diseases is tough to beat. My own health issues that have been inherited have been resistant to my ongoing 30 year regimen of proper health recommendations - and new ones are popping up earlier than in my ancestors. My cholesterol remains high, and now high blood pressure is staring me in the face. Medication has been required as I continue to do all the other right things. Has this happened to you? Please blog with me about it.

As a physician in training I recognized that prevention also includes routine checkups , and screening tests. When you get a heart scan that shows heart disease, or a self breast exam that turns up a lump, or a prostate blood test that shows cancer, you usually get more testing and treatment. It seems as if checking yourself routinely before disease that you know runs in your family is the best and right thing to do. Is it? What if something that doesn't run in the family shows up? Early detection can very critical. You can be cured and your quality of life can be better.

If you are at risk for some disease whether or not it is inherited, why not check for it early? This brings to mind the recent news about the rise of AIDS and HIV in the world. I think everyone should be checked for it. After all most routine blood tests include a syphilis test. Society has made individuals "afraid" to be HIV positive; therefore, the secrecy surrounding this makes people less likely to talk about it let alone be honest about it.

Wake up world! Get checked for everything you possibly can that is available. It's your life. To those lifestyle changes like weight control, exercise, proper diet, etc., add routine total body checkups.

Ideally, your health care provider should be helping you. Help yourself and your health care provider by reading "Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal "112 page" Health Guide". www.mypatienthandbook.com. Preview pages at www.books.google.com. Information on routine physical exams, and preventive tests are detailed. Make this another lifestyle change to improve your life.

Great health is true wealth! Best health, Dr. Joan