Summer is finally here and now is the perfect time to ensure you are current on preventative health care. Bowdle Healthcare Center is here for your preventative healthcare needs.
What can I expect at a preventative healthcare visit?
Preventative healthcare means seeing your provider outside of times of sickness or injury to discuss how we can protect your health by identifying disease early, when most amenable to treatment.
What kinds of screening tests am I eligible for?
You may be eligible for screening tests, which are tests done to check for illness before there are signs or symptoms of disease. Examples of screening tests include: breast cancer screening with mammogram, cervical cancer screening with pap and HPV testing, colorectal cancer screening with colonoscopy, lung cancer screening with chest scans (depending on age and smoking history), and osteoporosis screening with bone density tests. Several other screening tests may be offered depending on your personal and family history.
Is preventative health just about screening tests?
No. One of the most important parts of your preventative health visit is learning how you can make healthy choices through good nutrition and physical activity to maintain your health. We will also review your eligibility for vaccinations to prevent diseases such as pneumonia and shingles.
How can I prepare for my preventative health visit?
Review your family history. Many conditions run within families and knowing your family history can help your provider ensure you are receiving the most appropriate screening tests at the right time.
Will I be asked personal questions at my preventative health visit?
It is important for your provider to understand all possible risk factors for disease. This requires an open and honest dialogue about topics that may be sensitive in nature. Obtaining a history includes questions about smoking, alcohol use, drug use, and sexual health. Knowing the answers to these questions allows your provider to create a more comprehensive treatment plan aimed at improving your health.
Will my provider manage my chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes at my preventative health visit?
Your preventative health visit is very specific to preventing disease. If you have already been diagnosed with a condition such as diabetes or hypertension, it is important for your provider to know as part of your medical history, but chronic condition management is not part of a preventative health visit. The preventative health visit encompasses many important topics that deserve dedicated time for you and your provider to review so you are positioned to make the right choices for your health.