5 Possible Causes of Irregular Periods
If you’ve been experiencing irregular periods but aren’t quite sure why, don’t worry! There are many possible factors that can interfere with a woman’s normal cycle, and not all of them are signs of a serious medical condition.
In fact, many of these factors are modifiable, meaning you’ll be able to make active changes in your lifestyle in order to manage the problem. Courtesy of Renewed Vitality, here are five common factors that may contribute to an abnormal menstrual cycle.
5. The Usual Suspects
While there could be various causes behind irregular periods, a hormonal imbalance resulting from natural occurrences like pregnancy, breastfeeding, and perimenopause, as well as the use of hormonal contraceptives, are far and away the most common.
This list will discuss other possible causes more in depth, but to ensure we have all our bases covered, we felt it was important to mention these possibilities as well. If you have any questions regarding the use of hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy, menopause, etc., then be sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible!
4. Stress
Unfortunately, excessive stress is a very common issue in both men and women alike. However, women who experience chronic stress or a particularly challenging month can end up experiencing irregularities with their cycle.
Stress affects the hormones inside your body. If not properly managed, stress can affect your health in a number of ways, including delayed or erratic periods. Luckily, there are many ways to manage stress and resolve this problem, including therapeutic techniques like meditation and yoga, as well as physical exercise.
3. Weight Issues
Hormonal imbalances can affect your body in a number of ways, including weight management. Dealing with an abnormal menstrual cycle over a prolonged period of time can lead to both weight gain and weight loss on occasion.
Both excessive and inadequate body weight can wreak havoc on your body’s ability to regulate its hormones in general. The best way to address this issue is by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, However, for some, weight issues are caused by external factors that need to be treated medically. Consult with your doctor or mental health professional today if you suspect this may be a contributing factor.
2. Certain Medications
Speaking of medications, some medicines can also influence your menstrual cycle. As we stated earlier, this is especially true of birth control pills, which restrict your ovaries from releasing eggs.
However, other medications, like antidepressants, may also lead to this condition. If you have been experiencing issues with your period and are taking medication for the treatment of other conditions, check with your gynecologist to get the inside scoop on the possibility of interference.
1. Some Chronic Health Conditions or Diseases
Irregularities with your period can also be caused by certain chronic health conditions and diseases, including diabetes, celiac disease, and anemia. These conditions can affect your body’s nutrition and hormones directly, leading to issues with your cycle.
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic condition, including the ones mentioned above, consult a trusted medical professional for advice as soon as possible.
At Renewed Vitality, we specialize in helping people get their lives back and achieve their dreams. We are the Berks County area’s premier facility for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other treatments. We serve both men and women, offering safe, effective care that relieves hormone imbalance symptoms and restores quality of life for patients at all stages of life. To learn more, don’t hesitate to contact Renewed Vitality in Wyomissing, PA today!
The sizzling summer months are almost upon us here in Southeast Pennsylvania! In the lazy days of summer, many people enjoy spending lots of time outside soaking up the sun.
While there’s no harm at all in a little rest and relaxation while soaking up the rays, it’s incredibly important that you properly prepare your skin for increased sun exposure, as the sun’s harsh rays can actually be incredibly damaging to your skin if it isn’t properly equipped and maintained.
We’re talking more than just a nasty sunburn. For decades, scientific research has shown that unprotected sun exposure can cause serious damage to your skin, including an increased risk of skin cancer and rapidly increased aging.
At Renewed Vitality, we care about keeping you looking and feeling healthy, young, and beautiful. That’s why we’re giving you five great skin care tips to keep in mind when preparing for a little fun in the sun.
Never Forget Your Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a remarkable invention, so you need to make sure you’re using it properly! Sunblock and sunscreen is an absolute necessity when it comes to maintaining skin health in bright, hot weather.
Before you venture out into the pool or beach this summer, take the time to invest in some high-quality sunscreen products. Remember, the higher a product’s Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is, the better.
To ensure you’re always keeping your skin safe from the sun, you should use a quality sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and be sure to consistently reapply after exposure to water or heavy perspiration.
Avoid Overexposure to Harsh Daytime Heat
While sunblock can help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, this is just the first step in the battle for healthy summer skin.
While spending all day soaking up the rays sounds like a dream to many, it’s important to limit your exposure to the sun during the hottest part of the day, which typically occurs around early afternoon.
To make the most out of your summer and maintain your skin’s youthful glow, try to venture out only during the morning and early evening hours. Less exposure to extreme heat means a lower risk of skin damage.
Make Use of Protective Gear
It’s also incredibly important to take extra precautions to protect your body’s most vulnerable areas, including the delicate skin of your face as well as your eyes. You can do this by wearing wide-brimmed hats, UV-rated sunglasses, and the right amount of protective clothing while outside during the day.
Light cotton or clothing designed with built-in UV protection is a great option. These clothes are made from a tightly woven fabric that is breathable and cool without exposing your skin to the elements.
In addition, as much as you may be tempted to show off the guns or your hard-earned beach bod, you should wear long-sleeved, full length shirts as much as possible while outdoors in the summertime.
Stay Hydrated!
When it’s hot, your body knows it. Typically, it reacts by attempting to keep you cool with natural perspiration. This can often cause a grimy, sticky feeling, but it also means that your body is relying heavily on its internal fluids throughout the day. For this reason, it’s important to stay hydrated, giving your body all the fluid it needs to keep doing its job properly.
It’s always important to drink as much water as possible, but especially on hot days. Remember to take water with you wherever you go, and get into the habit of drinking it regularly, whether you feel particularly thirsty or not.
In addition, you should be extra careful regarding the consumption of diuretics like alcohol and soft drinks, as these beverages are a known cause of dehydration. In the summertime, you can also stay hydrated by consuming foods with a high water content, like salad greens and fruits.
Seek Alternatives to Maintaining Skin Health
Cooking yourself in the summer sun isn;t always the most ideal way of achieving tanned summer skin. There also exist self-tanning gels and bronzer products that can help you achieve the same glow without causing skin damage.
In addition, the best way to keep your skin healthy is by giving your body access to the natural hormones it needs to help keep you looking and feeling young, vibrant, and gorgeous.
At Renewed Vitality, we specialize in helping people get their lives back and achieve their dreams. We are the Berks County area’s premier facility for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other treatments. We serve both men and women, offering safe, effective care that relieves hormone imbalance symptoms and restores quality of life for patients at all stages of life. To learn more, don’t hesitate to contact Renewed Vitality in Wyomissing, PA today!
Did you know that there are anywhere from 80 to 100 billion neurons in the human brain? Each one makes up a complex network of hundreds of trillions of synapses that enable cells to communicate with one another.
With that much complexity going on, there is a lot to maintain. One of the biggest impacts of aging is the thinning of your brain’s frontal cortex, which is responsible for contributing to the formation of memories and concentration.
Keeping your mind clear and your memory sharp is important as you age. Courtesy of Renewed Vitality, here are six great tips for doing exactly that!
Keep Moving
You’ve likely heard it time and time again, but yes, it really is that simple. As we age, our brain cells, or neurons, find it more challenging to communicate amongst themselves. Over time, the vast, tree-branch like connections between them can lose some heft.
One of the best ways to combat this is by daily physical activity. Exercise stimulates brain plasticity by stimulating the growth of new connections between neurons in a variety of ways, according to recent research from UCLA.
Eat Well
Another bit of advice that’s seemingly as old as time itself: be sure you are eating well, giving your body and brain the proper fuel it needs to keep functioning at the highest level. Foods like fruits and vegetables are packed full of antioxidants, which help prevent and slow damage to brain cells caused by aging.
Some beans, whole grains, nuts, and spices are also greater sources of antioxidants. In addition, healthy fatty acids, like omega-3s, have been clinically shown to increase blood flow to the brain, leading to better thinking ability, cognition, and boosted brain function.
Exercise Your Mind
Keeping your brain sharp usually goes hand-in-hand with keeping your body physically fit, but it’s important to set aside time for workouts that specifically hone in on your brain function.
Logic challenges, like jigsaw puzzles, word games, and even LEGO can exercise both the right and left sides of your brain at once. These types of games have been shown to reinforce connections between neurons, improve mental speed, and are an especially effective way to improve short-term memory, which is one of the earliest functions that begins to weaken as you age.
Laugh Loudly and Often
Laughter, happiness, positivity, and an all-around good mood are great ways to keep your brain active and engaged. As an old saying goes, laughter is the best medicine, and as it turns out, this actually has some serious science behind it.
Not only does laughter relax your body to relieve physical tension and stress, but it also triggers the release of endorphins that promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Always make an effort to enjoy the lighter side of life, your gray matter will thank you down the road!
Stay Calm and Mindful
Chronic stress and anxiety is known to degrade memory and cognitive functioning, leading to impaired function of the hippocampus and the PFC. Over time, this damage can lead to an increased risk in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders like depression and dementia.
Sometimes, practices like yoga and meditation can relax your body and mind, creating stability and balancing the emotional state of your brain. Recollecting a positive emotion or imagining a pleasurable scene during mediation can go a long way in alleviating stress, which will lead to a better quality of life in the long-run.
Try Hormone Replacement Therapy
It may sound like a stretch, but hear us out! A recent study conducted by the North American Menopause Society looked at more than 2,000 postmenopausal women over a 12-year period in order to discover what, if any, association there is between estrogen and brain health.
Over the course of the study, the women were tested at various points on five factors of brain health, including psychomotor skills, memory, identification and association, orientation, and concentration and calculation.
As it turns out, the study found that the longer a woman is exposed to estrogen, whether it be naturally or via hormone replacement therapy, the better her brain health and mental flexibility will be as she enters her sixties.
At Renewed Vitality, we specialize in helping people get their lives back and achieve their dreams. We are the Berks County area’s premier facility for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other treatments. We serve both men and women, offering safe, effective care that relieves hormone imbalance symptoms and restores quality of life for patients at all stages of life. To learn more, don’t hesitate to contact Renewed Vitality in Wyomissing, PA today!
It may be the futuristic year of 2021, but unfortunately, ageism is alive and well. Old age stereotypes lurk around every corner in both private and public institutions. From the water cooler to the webpage, negative bias surrounding age is frustratingly prevalent.
For many older individuals, this reality can be particularly grating. However, the first step toward self-empowerment is recognizing these difficulties. Those who take this step are more likely to make their later years more productive and more purposeful than those you fall into the trap of believing these supposed limitations.
Tips for Getting Rid of Your Ageist Mindset
Ageism is an issue that people face on a global level, but the truth is, it’s a societal stigma that humans have imposed upon themselves. Now is the time to say goodbye to ageism. Here are four practical tips for ridding yourself of your ageist mindset.
Start Working on a Mindset Shift
Before you can begin changing your mindset on ageing, you must first assess and recognize whether you are living with a fixed mindset or a growth mindset.
If you are living with a fixed mindset, then you’re likely focusing only on limitations. Over time, this can limit your ability to grow, seek out new experiences, and take on new challenges. In order to live a fulfilling life, it is imperative that you strip yourself of ingrained behaviors and pave the way for a growth mindset.
A growth mindset not only allows you to learn new things, but it also allows you to push yourself to new heights you never thought possible, giving you the opportunity to take control of your life in a more direct manner.
Don’t Focus on Age
It’s human nature to categorize ourselves into little boxes characterized by restrictions and influenced by our own biases. However, it’s important to remember that this is a choice, not a law. Cliche though it may be, age is just a number.
In reality, there are no limitations on what you can or cannot do at any point of adulthood; all you need is the desire to do something and the willpower to not allow your fears to stand in the way.
Have you been dreaming of traveling the world since your teens? Are you thinking about getting a tattoo at 50? Are you eager to learn a new skill in your 70s? Go for it! The trick is to empower yourself by embracing these changes in a positive way.
Be Inspired By Others
The next time you find yourself using the “I’m too old for this” excuse as a crutch, take some time researching the lives of people in your age bracket from all over the world and all throughout history. Look at the accomplishments they achieved, take note of the age these people were when they finally achieved their dreams.
For example, fashion mogul Vera Wang was 40 years old when she opened her first bridal store. Henry Ford didn’t invent the Model T until he was 45. Julia Child was 50 years old when she published her first cookbook. J.R.R. Tolkien didn’t complete his famed Lord of the Rings trilogy until he was 63 years old.
Whether its fitness, business, hobbies, dreams, skills, or trades, you have the ability to bring change to the world and inspiration to your life at any age.
Make a Plan and Stick to It
While it may be easy to fantasize about change and occasionally even experience moments of inspiration and motivation, removing ourselves from the cyclical nature of our harmful ideas and habits is another beast entirely.
If you truly want to change your mindset on aging and your status in life, you have to make a plan. Start today by mapping out a one year goal. Create an outline for what you want to accomplish each week, each month. Set small goals along the way as forms of stepping stones (there’s nothing wrong with a good sidequest!).
Over time, you’ll be amazed at how simple it is to develop and grow into an even stronger, more wholesome person. Most importantly, keep at it! You have one life to live, you’d best live it to the fullest.
At Renewed Vitality, we specialize in helping people get their lives back and achieve their dreams. We are the Berks County area’s premier facility for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other treatments. We serve both men and women, offering safe, effective care that relieves hormone imbalance symptoms and restores quality of life for patients at all stages of life. To learn more, don’t hesitate to contact Renewed Vitality in Wyomissing, PA today!
The years after you turn 50 are a time of great change, but some of the biggest changes don’t get discussed as openly as perhaps they should.
As our bodies and minds mature and change, our relationships — and our sexual health — changes as well. But what if we told you that there are many things you can do to keep things lively in the bedroom, even as you enter into your later years.
Courtesy of Renewed Vitality, here are five simple ways to improve your sex life after 50.
Go With the Flow
The physical changes that accompany aging are inevitable, but they don’t have to drastically affect your libido, desire, drive, or ability to perform.
According to the North American Menopause Society, up to 45 percent of postmenopausal wonen find sex painful due, in part, to increased vaginal dryness. One great way to combat this natural and common side-effect of aging is good-quality lubricant.
As you age, try making lube a regular part of your sex life. Doing so is a simple and inexpensive way to make sex feel physically comfortable again.
Additionally, small dietary changes, like eating more soy products, flax seeds, fruits, and vegetables can make a big difference in the bedroom for older couples. This is due to the natural phytoestrogens found in those foods, which may help women raise their estrogen levels.
Be Open and Honest
One of the most important aspects to a healthy sexual relationship is trust and understanding. By offering judgement-free, open communication about sex with your partner, you can unlock a whole new world of experiences.
For example, did you know that it is common for couples to have mismatched sex drives? If you find this to be the case in your relationship, you and your partner should always speak frankly about what is important for both of you sexually. Always work towards a compromise that tries to meet both of your needs.
In addition, don’t be ashamed to talk about experiences like erectile dysfunction, which can make it difficult for a man to achieve or sustain an erection during sexual intercourse. For many men, this experience can be an embarrassing ego killer and a source of serious emotional stress.
If ED is something that concerns you or your partner during sex, try respectfully and soothingly talking to them about the many effective medical treatments, lifestly changes, and therapies that can help with this issue.
Replace Quickies With Romance
For both men and women, getting in the mood can be a challenge as you age. Sure, when you were younger quickies and one-offs may have been fun and satisfactory; but as you mature, you may find that slower, more intimate, and more romantic sex is the way to go.
Joan Price, an advocate for ageless sexuality and the author of The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Fifty: How to Maintain — or Regain — a Spicy, Satisfying Sex Life, has this to say on the subject.
“As we age, our sexual needs and preferences may change. Where we like being touched, how we like being touched, even who we want to touch us may change. Let the changes be an opportunity to explore. Make a date with yourself or your partner to rediscover how your body responds. In a private, relaxed setting, spend a long, languid, sensual time touching without any goal except to experience sensation and pleasure.”
Live a Healthy Lifestyle
As we age, it can become more and more of a challenge to stay physically fit, but this doesn’t mean you should let yourself go. Even as you age, be sure to stick to a balanced, health diet and a firm exercise regiment.
Refusing to do so can not only pose serious health risks like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol, but it can also lead to problems with erections, libido, and self-esteem.
If you already have an established condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, it’s very important that you speak to a doctor regarding your concerns surrounding sex and intimacy.
Don’t Be Ashamed to Ask For Help
Sexual issues like low libido and and performance can have an emotional effect as well as a physical one. This is why it’s so important to always speak confidently yet considerably about these things.
Gaining the courage to consult various professionals can have quite the benefit on your sex life. Take hormone therapy for example. If you’re having issues with your sexual satisfaction, don’t be afraid to reach out to Renewed Vitality in Reading, PA to see how we can help.
Renewed Vitality is the Berks County area’s premier facility for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other treatments. We serve both men and women, offering safe, effective care that relieves hormone imbalance symptoms and restores quality of life for patients at all stages of life.
Our practitioner, Becky McClure, has made it her mission to help others achieve wellness, with over 30 years in healthcare and over 10 years providing state of the art pellet therapy. To learn more about Renewed Vitality and how it could benefit you, please contact us as soon as you’re comfortable. We look forward to helping you get your life back on track!
Testosterone is the single most important male sex hormone. Starting in utero, this hormone shapes a man’s physical form, influences a multitude of tissues and cody systems, and has even been shown to affect personality. This is why it is vital to a man’s overall health and well-being to maintain healthy levels of testosterone as he ages.
Low levels of testosterone can affect a man’s body composition through weight gain, cause a reduced sex drive, and even affect sexual function in the form of reduced erections and infertility.
While it is natural for testosterone levels to decline the older one gets, there are several steps you can take to slow, and perhaps even reverse the process. Check out some of our tips for how you can raise testosterone in a natural and healthy way right here courtesy of Renewed Vitality!
Get Plenty of Sleep
Lack of proper sleep can adversely affect the balance of chemicals and hormones in your body. In fact, a recent study conducted by the University of Chicago found that testosterone levels in even young, healthy men can drop as a result of sleep deprivation.
The researchers found that after just one week of restricted sleep, the daytime testosterone levels of ten healthy men aged around 24 years old dropped by up to 15 percent! By contrast, normal aging has only shown steady decreases of 1-2 percent per year.
You should always aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night. If you have problems getting to sleep on a regular basis, be sure to contact your doctor for professional advice.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Eating well is essential to proper body function now matter what age, sex, or ethnicity you are. This is especially true regarding testosterone levels.
According to one report that appeared in the Journal of Neuroinflammation, low testosterone levels may correlate with being overweight, and can even contribute to a variety of inflammatory conditions and impaored neurological function.
Other research has shown that both overeating and crash dieting can also disrupt hormone levels, though this effect is most prevalent in athletes and other very active people.
The best diets are the ones that stick to a mild intake of mostly whole foods and a healthy balance of fats, carbs, and proteins. Eating a healthful and nutritious diet helps to keep all hormone levels balanced and promotes long-term health.
Exercise Regularly
Just as a healthy and balanced diet is vital to well-balanced hormones, so too is regular exercise and physical activity.
A recent study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology found that the more active an individual is, the more testosterone they have. Another study suggested that increasing casual exercise was even more beneficial than weight loss as a whole when it comes to improving testosterone levels.
Establishing a routine that includes plenty of physical activity without overdoing it is a key component to maintaining hormone health naturally. Aerobic exercise in particular improves cardiovascular fitness, decreases body fat, and increases testosterone output.
Actively Reduce Stress
Chronic, long-term stress isn’t good for anyone, but can be especially dangerous the older you get. Stress naturally elevated hormone cortisol levels, a chemical that is responsible for managing a variety of body responses, including the immune system and metabolism.
Elevated cortisol levels can negatively impact testosterone. In one 2016 study, researchers found that stressful events can actively contribute to erratic changes in testosterone levels in both men and women.
In this study, the men showed significant increases in salivary testosterone (an increased excretion of testosterone) under exam stress, while the women had substantially decreased testosterone levels altogether.
The research even suggested that the stress response in males resulted in increased aggression, emotional inhibition, and rumination.
Avoid Excessive Drug and Alcohol Use
Any substance that actively alters brain and body chemistry can affect all kinds of hormone levels, but this is especially true of drugs and alcohol. In fact, excessive drug and alcohol consumption has been linked to lower testosterone levels directly.
According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol use affects the glands and hormones involved in reproductive health. In addition, alcohol use has been shown to cause significant hormonal reactions and even cell damage.
As a whole, alcohol and other substances including caffeine and tobacco should only ever be used responsibly and in moderation.
Try Hormone Replacement Therapy
Despite your best efforts to raise testosterone levels naturally, lifestyle changes alone are often not enough to get you where you want to be.
While some men may be reluctant to try pharmacological treatments, hormone therapy can often be helpful when the body fails to produce enough testosterone on its own.
Renewed Vitality is the Berks County area’s premier facility for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other treatments. We serve both men and women, offering safe, effective care that relieves hormone imbalance symptoms and restores quality of life for patients at all stages of life.
To learn more about your hormone replacement therapy options at Renewed Vitality in Wyomissing, PA, don’t hesitate to contact us at your earliest convenience. We look forward to assisting you!
Like it or not, winter is right around the corner in Southeast PA. For many of us, the incoming colder months and harsher weather can make it especially difficult to stay active, not to mention the coming holiday season that centers around sweets and relaxation.
Our tendency to hibernate in the wintertime can become greater as we age, but a lack of physical activity can become more and more problematic the older we get. That’s why it’s important to make a concerted effort to stay physically active during the winter season.
At Renewed Vitality, your wellness is our primary concern, and we love to help! That’s why we’re here to give you some very useful information regarding wintertime exercise before the cold front rolls in to stay!
The Importance of Staying Active As You Age
Believe it or not, too much relaxation can actually do more harm than good, especially for seniors.
Engaging in regular physical activity can help you maintain healthy muscle mass and bone density as you age. This is a significant factor in preventing dangerous falls and the fractures breaks, tears, or sprains that may result.
In addition, frequent physical activity can also help lower your blood pressure, reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, regular exercise can also help to limit the effects of arthritis by continuously lubricating your joints.
The positive effects of exercise for older adults doesn’t just stop at the physical either. In fact, several recent studies have confirmed that regular workouts can help to prevent cognitive decline and symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression as well.
Key Tips For Staying Active Through the Winter
While the benefits of regular exercise for older adults is incredible, the harsher winter season can make this task seem daunting and dangerous. Whether it be icy sidewalks or persistent precipitation that is preventing you from achieving your exercise goals, there are several ways to overcome these obstacles.
Check out some of our best bits of advice right here:
- Exercise At Home: While the ongoing situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely reassured many of us about the benefits of getting out and interacting with others, accomplishing this feat can be especially challenging for seniors. However, there are many exercises that you can do in your very own home. Many exercises that focus on balance can be performed without extravagant equipment, while keeping a light pair of weights around the house can even encourage you to get a little lifting in when you have some downtime.
- Wear Extra Layers: The winter chill can make it harder for us to stay warm, but if outdoor exercises are more your style, look for ways to layer up before heading out in a brisk winter walk. For example, a pair of long thermal underwear or a down winter coat can help keep you comfortable when the temperatures drop. In addition, a warm cup of tea or cocoa can also do wonders for you both before and after a chilly workout session. Before going out however, make sure you check the forecast for slippery conditions.
- Keep It Fun: Exercise doesn’t always have to be a chore. There are many fun and uplifting exercises you can try as well! Playing with your grandkids or even indoor gardening can be a great way to stay in motion in the wintertime, and it doesn’t require extravagant planning to accomplish either.
In Conclusion
While it can seem like quite the hurdle for older individuals to fit in regular exercise in the wintertime, these aforementioned tips can go a long way in boosting your activity level in simple and healthy ways.
That said, safety is always important to keep in mind, if you or a loved one experience mobility issues, be sure that another family member, friend, or caregiver is present while you get your workout in!
For any additional questions about staying fit and healthy as you age, don’t hesitate to contact Renewed Vitality today! We are always happy to help!
Everything you do each and every day, including the foods you eat, the exercise and sleep you get, and even the stress you have, can all affect your future health. That’s why it’s incredibly important to keep up with preventative health care tasks throughout your life, but especially as you age.
Why Preventative Healthcare is Important
According to the Centers for Disease Control, seven out of every 10 U.S. deaths are caused by chronic disease. That means that over half of the country has been diagnosed with a chronic illness such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other similar conditions.
Although this number may shock you, the good news is that your risk of developing diseases like these can be dramatically reduced just by introducing a little preventative healthcare maintenance into your life.
This can be done in a variety of ways including diet and exercise management, routine health screenings, receiving vaccinations, and even receiving hormone therapy.
In addition to lowering your risk of chronic illness, preventative healthcare maintenance can also significantly increase your life expectancy, especially if you are between the ages of 30 to 49.
Routine Screenings and Check-Ups You Should Consider
Even if you feel generally healthy, it can be difficult to really get a full picture of what may be happening inside your body slowly over time.
The best way to keep your finger on the pulse of your personal health is by receiving regular health screenings and check-ups which can help you detect any hidden issues and help prevent larger health problems in the future.
Below are some examples of preventative care screenings that you should schedule with some regularity:
- Blood Pressure – The only way to truly find out if you may be suffering from high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly. This screening is simple and easy, and can even be done via machine at most pharmacies.
- Blood Sugar – A blood sugar test measures the amount of glucose in your blood. This information is incredibly important to the proper diagnosis of diabetes. Typically, a small blood sample will be needed for this screening.
- Cholesterol – While your body needs some cholesterol to function properly, too much can increase the risk of heart disease. Usually, a blood test is performed to determine your cholesterol levels.
- Mammogram – October is breast cancer awareness month, and a mammogram is a vitally important screening every woman should receive in order to detect her risk of developing this disease. This screening is usually done in the form of a quick and easy x-ray image of the breasts, and is used to detect any tumors or potentially cancerous growths.
- Pap Smear – A pap smear (or pap test) is a routine gynecological exam that is designed to detect the possibility of cervical cancer in women. This test is performed by gently scraping a few cells from the opening of the cervix, which are then examined under a microscope and evaluated for any abnormalities.
Other Things to Keep An Eye On
Another big part of preventive health care is training yourself to recognize changes in your body that may not be normal. Doing so will help make you more aware of situations that may not be normal so that you can see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Keep an eye out for abnormal changes such as:
- The emergence of lumps anywhere on your body
- Losing weight without trying
- A lasting fever or cough that doesn’t go away
- Chronic body aches and pains
- Skin changes or sores that won’t heal
What You Can Do To Stay Healthy
Regular checkups are a great way to maintain your everyday health, but there are plenty of lifestyle choices you can make to continue preventing the onset of health issues. Getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and limiting alcohol and tobacco intake are all great ways to increase your likelihood of living a long and healthy life. Even hormone therapy can help to strengthen your immune system and improve your overall health. To learn more about what we do at Renewed Vitality, click here.
