4 Facts about Preventive Medicine
Preventive medicine is a healthcare specialty focused on monitoring individuals’ health as well as working to improve the health of a community. Here are four facts about preventive medicine.
1. Diagnosing Conditions Early
Doctors who specialize in preventive medicine, such as Dr. Dominique Fradin-Read, are probably the doctors people see most often. A doctor of preventive medicine will perform routine tests such as cancer screenings, blood tests and blood pressure tests. Many of these routine tests can flag potential issues that may require further testing or review, such as high cholesterol levels. You can also access preventive care when you feel there’s an issue with your health. For example, if you experience pain and aren’t sure where it comes from, you can see your preventive care physician for testing and recommendations for further care.
2. Discussing Supplement Options
In some cases, a preventive care physician like Dr. Dominique Fradin-Read can discuss with you certain vitamin and mineral supplements that may be beneficial to your health and healthcare. Sometimes, vitamins are recommended as part of a course of treatment for or prevention of certain diseases. One example is vitamin D, which can be recommended to support bone health and help prevent osteoporosis. Other supplements may be recommended for dietary reasons, such as vitamin B12 for people on vegan diets, which tend to be deficient in sources of B12.
3. Mental Healthcare Recommendations
While doctors who specialize in preventive care don’t generally specialize in providing mental healthcare, they can be involved in the process of seeking it. Your preventive healthcare provider can provide counseling regarding such conditions as addictions, eating disorders and depression. Once the initial screening is done, your doctor will be able to help you find the right mental health professional for your needs.
4. Wellness Check-ups
General healthcare guidance suggests everyone get a preventive care checkup once annually. This applies to children and adults. a pediatric doctor will provide routine vaccinations and check-ups to children and a preventive care physician will provide check-ups to adults, as well as any necessary boosters. Check-ups are an essential health service because sometimes you may not be aware that a condition is developing. Some diseases cause symptoms like pain that you notice, while others can fly under the radar. Routine physical examinations can catch issues you may not have otherwise noticed.
Preventive medicine can have many benefits for both the community and individuals, including wide-reaching community health initiatives and close monitoring and detection of any individual health problems so you can get them treated sooner.
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