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A little prevention goes a long wayYou may be one of those people who dutifully make your appointment every year to touch base with your doctor. You cross your fingers in hopes that your doctor will give you a clean bill of health, pat you on the back and say “see you next year.”
 Daniel Holmberg, MD, NUMC Family Medicine Department. But, what are you missing if you just have those once-a-year flybys? What about those tests the doctor recommended? You might be missing something important if you ignore those suggestions. There is a whole legion of preventive healthcare maintenance screenings that a person should have – luckily they don’t all have to be done at once. There are some very specific guidelines for men and women in terms of the health care examinations recommended and the age at which they should be performed (Prevention Schedule Link below). These tests serve to detect disease in its early stage, before it causes noticeable symptoms and while it may be easier to successfully treat. “People who are dedicated to regular, preventive healthcare – not just screenings, but healthy lifestyles – live longer, happier lives,” said Daniel Holmberg, MD, a family medicine physician at New Ulm Medical Center. “We count on our patients to be partners with us in their health care. We can make recommendations as to what screening tests they should have done, but in the long run it is up to the individual to take an interest in maintaining good, preventive healthcare.” Dr. Holmberg is quick to point out that just because medical interventions can often extend a person’s life after they have contracted a disease or medical condition; their quality of life may never be the same again. “That’s why preventing the disease or condition from ever taking hold is so important” he said. Each person is unique and those who have higher risk factors may consider having screening tests more often and starting at a younger age. High risk may include having a chronic disease, such as asthma or diabetes, or a family history of diseases, such as cancer, heart attack or stroke. Your doctor can help determine whether you have risk factors that indicate a more aggressive screening schedule.
Related Links Preventive Health Care Examination Schedule  Back to Health Edition |
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New Ulm Medical Center
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