Preventive Care: The Importance of a Proactive Approach

Consistency and proactiveness are essential to so many things in life. Whether you’re trying to maintain a home, keep an old vehicle running or tend to a garden, a little routine maintenance can prevent a minor problem from turning into a major issue.

Simply put, it’s just easier (and cheaper) to solve most problems before they spiral out of control. Weeding a garden regularly is not as taxing as spending three or four days out in the glaring afternoon heat, fixing a roof leak before the water rots the wood is much less expensive, having regular oil changes is essential to—well, you get the idea.

Our health is no different. Similar to having a trusted mechanic check out your car, a regular checkup with a healthcare professional is an opportunity to identify minor issues before they escalate.

For a variety of reasons, however, millions of Americans do not take advantage of preventive health care services. One of the major reasons why is a lack of awareness about the benefits of preventive health care.

With that in mind, it’s important to understand that a physician can help you resolve a variety of issues. Changing your diet, level of physical activity, alcohol and/or tobacco consumption can significantly decrease the risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Regular checkups give healthcare professionals the chance to assess these factors and guide you to healthier choices.

Mental Health

The brain is part of the body, of course, and stress is well known to have a detrimental impact on physical health. During a checkup, a healthcare professional can help you identify any stressors that may be affecting your life and recommend coping strategies.

It may be somewhat obvious but it is still worth noting that good physical health can be positively impactful to your mood and daily life. Avoiding chronic health problems means having a chance to enjoy life without experiencing preventable health-related obstacles.

A healthy wallet and/or purse can also have a positive impact on one’s mental well-being. Having a regular checkup can reduce the need for costly medical treatments down the road. By focusing on prevention, you can protect your financial health.

Preventive Care vs. Reactive Care

The journey to a longer, healthier life is a marathon, not a sprint. Being consistent and taking the necessary steps to identify potential issues is an effective means of safeguarding your physical well-being. A nagging health issue can be similar to a missing shingle on a roof; if you are proactive and catch it early it may be an easy fix.

If you wait until water stains appear on the ceiling, the repairs will be more expensive and complex. Similarly, being reactive about ongoing health problems can result in significant complications that may have been avoided with a little proactiveness.

Of course, reactive care is a necessity sometimes. But in cases where it becomes essential, a greater emphasis on prevention leads to better outcomes.

To be proactive, make sure your immunizations are up to date. These can protect against problems like tetanus, measles, smallpox and Covid. Having your blood pressure checked is also important, as doing so can provide a variety of insights about your health.

Many issues are treatable if caught early. Making regular health screenings and checkups a priority can protect you, your finances and the future of your family.

For more insights on how to be proactive about your health or to schedule a checkup, please visit our website at dawson-med.com or contact us at (910) 387-3788.

Let’s take control of our health!

Dawson Med offers both comprehensive primary care and walk in urgent care for residents and visitors of the greater Wilmington area seven days a week.  The team of Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants care for patients of all ages, with a wide spectrum of needs.  At Dawson Med, we believe that knowing where to turn can make a world of difference, and being treated by familiar practitioners in a comfortable setting can relieve stress in times of need. We encourage you to get started by calling us at 910-387-3788 or visiting us on the web at www.dawson-med.com.