By : Devin Morrissey
When thinking of preventative health, we often focus on diet and fitness, which are not the only pieces to the puzzle. Comprehensive preventative health looks at a host of other factors, including mental, sexual, and eye health. Even if you don’t wear glasses or have a family history of illness, it’s important to take care of yourself!
Mental Health
Problems with mental health are more prevalent than you may think; according to Regis College, one in five American adults has a mental health condition. These rates increase for certain populations, such as adults of two or more races, women, and young adults. Young adults have some of the highest rates, with almost a quarter of them experiencing some kind of mental illness.
Many young adults face large stressors, including entering the workforce and moving, as they transition into adulthood. Stress can be one of the biggest triggers for many mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. If your family doesn’t have a history of any mental illnesses, you may not know what to look for. If you begin to exhibit any symptoms, it doesn’t hurt to meet with a mental health professional for a screening.
Sexual Health
We live in an age of Tinder dates and hookups, so taking care of your sexual and reproductive health is vital. If you are sexually active, it’s important to get tested for STIs regularly, especially if you have multiple or new partners. And as always, be sure to use contraceptives to prevent pregnancy and the spread of STIs!
Different people have different needs, depending on gender, age, and family/personal history. Here are some basic guidelines for wellness checkups:
- If you are a woman over the age of 21, you’ll need regular pap tests to screen for cervical cancer. If the results are normal, you don’t need another test for three years; if they’re abnormal, you’ll need annual pap tests until the results are normal.
- If you are a women over the age of 40, get regular mammograms to screen for breast cancer.
- Men need regular health checks too! If you are over the age of 40 and at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, discuss the possibility of doing a cancer screening. You can wait until age 50 if you’re at a lower risk.
If you aren’t at the age to begin regular screenings with your doctor, don’t underestimate the value of doing a self-exam. Though you may not be able to diagnose cancer or other ailments at home, it’s important to know what your body looks like when it’s healthy. That way, If anything ever seems weird, you can talk to your doctor about further testing.
Eye Health
If you have perfect 20/20 vision, it’s easy to lose sight of maintaining eye health. Consider yourself lucky; many Americans require the use of glasses, contacts, or corrective eye surgery like LASIK. Regardless of the quality of your vision, you have to work to keep your eyes healthy.
Some eye diseases, such as cataracts and glaucoma, can begin to develop without your knowledge. Some diseases may be slow to evolve, but others can be fast acting. Visit an optometrist regularly to check on your eye health!
For most adults, optometrists recommend an eye exam every two years. But if you’ve over the age of 60, wear corrective lenses, or have a family history of eye disease, you should have an annual checkup.
If you’re worried about the cost of preventative care, don’t be! Many preventative health services are fully or partially covered by insurance providers, so be sure to check your coverage before making an appointment. Even if you have to foot some of the bill, preventing any diseases from developing or worsening is well worth the cost. Many health conditions are as costly as they are harmful. Continue to eat a nutritious diet and exercise consistently, and make a few doctor’s appointments this year to improve your current and future health.
