Healthy Living | 27
PREVENTION
PREVENTION IS KEY TO FOSTERING WELLNESS FOR THE
IS BETTER THAN CURE
ENTIRE FAMILY. WITH THIS IN MIND, FOLLOW THESE
GUIDELINES FOR A HEALTHIER, LONGER LIFE.
eart disease, cancer, stroke family history may put you at Exercising, eating a healthy diet
and diabetes are some of higher risk for certain conditions, and not smoking are a few things
Hthe most common causes these factors only account for part you can do to prevent many health
of disability and early death in the of your risk. In many cases, the conditions. Any positive changes
United States. For many people, choices you make about the way you make in these areas can
these illnesses are preventable. you live play a much bigger role in improve your health and reduce
While it’s true that gender and your health. the risk of illness.
blood
screening measuring up pressure cancer cholesterol
Regular visits to the Being overweight High blood pressure If you’re age 50 or older, Cholesterol is a waxy
doctor improve your or obese can cause damages blood vessels you should be screened substance your body
chances of staying coronary heart disease, and raises the risk of for colorectal cancer. uses to protect nerves,
healthy. Preventive type 2 diabetes, high stroke, kidney failure, This kind of cancer make cell tissues
screenings can alert you cholesterol and high heart disease and heart is among the leading and produce certain
and your family doctor blood pressure. Knowing attack. Detecting it early causes of cancer death, hormones. All the
to problems before they your weight can help you makes it more likely that but it can be prevented. cholesterol your body
become more serious. recognize when it’s time you can make simple Screening tests can needs is made by
Depending on factors to make changes in your lifestyle changes to bring detect growths (also your liver. Too much
such as your age, eating habits and level your blood pressure called “polyps”) on the cholesterol in your
gender, family health of physical activity. It is down and prevent more inside of your colon blood can raise your
history and your current important to know your serious health problems. before they become risk of having a heart
health condition, you body mass index (BMI). If you’re 18 or older, you cancerous. People who attack or stroke. Men
may need different types Your BMI is a measure should have your blood are at higher risk for who are 35 or older and
of screening tests. Talk of your weight in relation pressure checked at least colon cancer should be women who are 45 or
with your family doctor to your height. Your BMI once every two years. If screened earlier than age older should have their
about which tests are helps determine if you are you’ve had high blood 50. Early detection also cholesterol checked
right for you and your in a healthy weight range. pressure in the past, makes a big difference regularly. If yours is
family, and how often your doctor may want to in breast cancer. Regular too high, you and your
they should be done. check it more often. screening can detect doctor can decide which
cervical cancer and lifestyle changes (such
prostate cancer. as exercise and diet)
Both can be treated if you should make. If diet
caught early. and exercise alone don’t
help, your doctor may
prescribe cholesterol-
lowering drugs.
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