Top Trends In Preventive Medicine
Preventive medicine is a proactive approach to managing your healthcare. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, seventy-five percent of annual healthcare costs are utilized for the care and treatment of chronic disease or conditions. Preventive medicine may reduce those costs and promote a healthier population.
Personalized Medicine
Personalized medicine is not a new concept. It was just temporarily lost under the guise of progress. Physicians and other healthcare professionals are beginning to reexamine patient quality of care and are refocusing on a more personal approach.
Preventive medicine does not treat an illness. It promotes health and well being. This means your doctor may encourage you to adopt healthier eating habits or to quit smoking. He may suggest a variety of health screenings to identify potential health risks before symptoms appear.
DNA testing, along with artificial intelligence, is starting to be used as a fast and extremely accurate diagnostic tool. Genome or DNA testing is becoming a more common method of identifying mutations in an individual’s genes, chromosomes or proteins. The National Cancer Institute reports that medical science has identified over 50 gene mutations that are directly related to various forms of cancer.
It is important to note that not all mutations are harmful or mean you will contract cancer. DNA testing is a useful tool for identifying potential risks and developing a plan of care.
Dental Care
The U.S.Surgeon General requested a call to action in an oral health report published in 2000. The report urged all healthcare workers to recognize the importance of oral health regardless of their specialty.
According to the CDC, tooth decay is the most common childhood disease. This is especially disturbing since periodontal disease can be prevented in most cases. It is essential to realize the impact poor oral health has on a person’s overall physical and emotional well being. There is evidence suggesting a direct correlation between periodontal disease and conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and some dementia-related syndromes.
Many healthcare professionals are including oral health in their assessments and plan of care. It is a positive step toward treating the whole person and preventive medicine.
Occupational Medicine
Many businesses, large corporations, in particular, are beginning to realize the advantages of maintaining a healthy workforce. Some companies have healthcare professionals on staff while others utilize trained consultants.
Occupational medical specialists are trained to assess workplaces for health risks. The specialist will examine the work environment for physical, chemical and social factors that may impact an employee’s well being. The occupational specialist may make recommendations to improve employee health, decrease injuries and promote productivity.
Do not be afraid to seek wellness advice from your doctor. Taking an active role in your preventive health care is important. Visit your physician regularly, and consider either getting healthcare or direct primary care so as to keep healthy and catch any burgeoning problems as they form, therefore lowering your costs later. In addition to this, practice a healthy lifestyle, being careful with your diet and exercising regularly.