SOUTH PLAINFIELD PRIMARY CARE CENTER

Preventive healthcare consists of measures taken for disease prevention before symptoms begin, as opposed to treatment of a disease after symptoms start.  Just as your health encompasses a variety of physical and mental states, the stages of an illness are affected by environmental factors, genetic predisposition, disease agents, and lifestyle choices. Diseases begin before you realize you are affected. Disease prevention relies on anticipatory actions to modify and balance the body’s defenses and fortitude.

 

Each year, millions of people suffer from preventable illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer, diabetes, and certain infectious diseases. By modifying risk factors of patient lifestyle and starting medication regimens, the disease progression can be significantly slowed or completely halted. With the rise in world-wide prevalence of chronic diseases and growing medical costs, preventive healthcare has become increasingly important in our healthcare model.

 

There are many approaches to preventive medical care. It is recommended that adults and children aim to visit their doctor for regular yearly check-ups or well-visits, even if they feel healthy. The purpose is to perform screenings and identify risk factors for disease, while discussing tips for a healthy and balanced lifestyle, staying up-to-date with immunizations and boosters, and maintaining a good relationship with a long-term healthcare provider.