Maintaining Your Health


ost people who buy a motorcar, understand that with time there is wear and tear, and the pristine, new car bought off the show room floor needs, eventually to be replaced. Good car owners understand that keeping their vehicles in good condition for as long as possible requires regular servicing. The human body is no different. When we are born, we are in pristine condition, but with time and with the excesses of living our health status changes. Not only do we become slower, but we also become more likely to get one of the "dreaded illnesses". This may be a cancer, a heart attack, a failed organ, or a stroke. Keeping yourself healthy is important for your loved ones, especially as you get older and preventing illness is as important as being treated when you become sick.

To promote good Men's Health, Dr. Dave Horsfall says ….
"The choices you make about the way you live affect your health. Many men spend long hours at the office, have erratic eating habits, do minimal exercise and have little time to relax. The last thing on their mind is health maintenance. It is just a matter of time until their health will let them down and what appears to be a secure lifestyle becomes one of insecurity and fear, especially with their loved ones".

"To maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduce stress it is important to make time in the day to eat healthily, exercise regularly and find time for relaxation and recreation".

"Your doctor is the ideal person to help you make the right choices about your lifestyle and health and a regular health screen is as important to your health as good eating and regular exercise".

To promote good Women's Health, Dr. Sue Evans says ….
"A woman should be aware of her risk factors for developing breast cancer, cervix cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease and diabetes. These illnesses unfortunately are common but are potentially preventable. Regular medical breast examination, mammography and/or breast ultrasound can detect early breast cancers. Mammography screening programmes have been shown to reduce mortality from breast cancer by up to 30%. Cervical cancer can be detected long before the invasive stage with regular Pap smears. Osteoporosis can be a devastating cause of chronic pain and disability in later life, estimated to affect up to 50% of post-menopausal women. Lifestyle assessment, advice and modification and sometimes medication in the premenopausal period and beyond can reduce a woman's risk of this underestimated disease".

"But apart from these typically 'female' problems, the fact is most women will still die prematurely of cardiovascular disease, just like men. This is a huge problem in our society and is, to some degree, preventable. Establishing a woman's particular risk by evaluating her cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, blood pressure, lifestyle and family history status is an integral part of the female health screen".

"An informed patient is a motivated patient. Much ill-health is not a capricious act of God but is something that can be foreseen and prevented. Screening tools are not perfect but they can frequently clarify risk (as well as allay fears) and point the patient in the right direction for positive health changes".

What can you do to keep yourself healthy?
Here are some choices you can make to help yourself stay healthy.

• Don't use any form of tobacco.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Do not use illegal drugs.
• Practice safe sex.
• Use seat belts (and car seats for children) when riding in a car or truck.
• See your doctor regularly for preventive care.
• Make time in the day to relax.

What can your doctor do to help you stay healthy?
In addition to treating you when you are sick, your doctor can follow a program designed to help you stay healthy. This program tells the doctor which preventive services are needed for people of a different gender and at different ages. Each individual also has his or her own specific risk factors. This information will give you a unique health-screening program.

What "preventive service" does MPH provide?
A preventive service might be a test or it might be advice from your doctor. MPH provides preventive services that can include any of the following:

• Tests (also called screenings) to check your general health or the health of certain parts of your body.
• Measurements of weight, cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
• Advice about diet, exercise, tobacco, alcohol and drug use, stress and accident prevention.
• Immunizations for both children and adults.
• Special tests at certain times in your life, such as during pregnancy and after age 50.