Happy New Year! Like many people, you may have spent the last few weeks or days strategizing for 2020. This is your year and you possibly want to finish it earning more, weighing less, having travelled more etc. Often, when we are setting new goals for ourselves, we forget the one basic thing needed to make it all happen and that is being healthy!
Is there something that has been a bit of a bother but it's not really distorting your way of life? Are you often tired or irritable, are you prone to headaches or do you find that you can't sleep? Women today live very busy lives as students, career women, caregivers, mothers, wives, friends, community organizers etc. We care for everyone but often forget to do so for ourselves. We postpone doctors' appointments and often fail to mention changes in our wellbeing to loved ones.
Make a change this year and tick the following off your to do list:
Eye Exam
These are usually associated with vision correction but according to the CDC, regular eye exams are also an important part of finding eye diseases early and preserving your vision.
Mammogram
It is often said that early detection of breast cancer improves the chances of overcoming it. A Mammogram is key to this and it is an image taken of the breasts to check for breast cancer and other abnormalities. They are non invasive but the process may be slightly uncomfortable. They can detect some types of breast cancer in its earliest stages before a lump can be felt. Women over 40 are advised to do this annually. Younger people with a family history of breast cancer should talk to their physicians about the need for a mammogram.
Pap Smear
This is a test used to detect HPV and cancerous cells in the cervix. There is now an HPV vaccine to protect against the cancer-causing HPV virus but it must be administered between the ages of 11 and 12. The vaccine is also available to older people but may be less effective. Please check the CDC website for more information.
Dental Checkup
Visits to the dentist ensure that we maintain our oral health. Bacteria in our mouths can find their way to our respiratory and digestive tracts according to the Mayo Clinic.
Annual Physical Exam
This is recommended for regular checks on sugar levels, blood pressure and any other symptoms you may have. The earlier you start having these exams the more useful they'll be as they can act as a benchmark against which your results can be measured as you get older.
Regular visits create a medical record for you and help personalize your healthcare with your chosen physician.
Generally, we should treat our health appointments with more than the priority we give to our hair and nails appointments; you never know, it might just save your life!
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