2017-10-05

doctorWhen it comes to visiting the doctor, the results will vary from physician-to-physician. Despite opinions, there are some medical instances that remain true across the board. Not only are these statements universal, but it’s also safe to assume that these are good elements to judge your own individual health.

1. Check your skin for moles regularly: Early detection of melanoma can make all the difference between removal and treatment. Keep a close eye on your skin and discuss any changes with your doctor immediately.

2. Practice stress management: Stress hormones can negatively affect an individual’s mental and physical state. Some basic stress management techniques include – eating a healthy well balanced diet, breathing properly, getting enough sleep each night, and exercising on a regular basis. In addition, try to focus on the positive things going on within your life. Having a healthy mindset will release dopamine into your brain which is a stress lowering chemical.

3. Buckle up: It’s important to always wear your seatbelt in the car no matter how short your travel distance may be. Whenever you get into a vehicle, there is always a chance that an accident could occur. Remember that seatbelts save lives and also prevent serious injuries from occurring.

4. Always consult your pharmacist and physician: It’s important for your doctor and pharmacist to be up-to-date on all of the medications, supplements, over-the-counter drugs and allergies that you have. From time-to-time, you may run into a situation where certain prescribed medications cannot be taken together. If a prescription, or over-the-counter, should be avoided then your pharmacist or physician can recommend an alternative.

5. Get regular mammograms: Beginning at the age of 40, it’s important to get an annual mammogram. Dense breast tissue is a huge risk factor for breast cancer and is something that should be addressed during visits with your gynecologist. Dense breasts can cause mammograms to be less accurate at detecting cancer.

6. Eat breakfast every day: Research has proven that breakfast eaters are able to maintain a healthy weight and lose weight easily. Each morning eat a breakfast meal that includes proteins and vegetables, but avoid processed foods.

7. Exercise regularly: Exercising regularly is one of the most important things an individual can do. Not only does exercise relax the arteries but it also lowers level of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisone. A healthy exercise regiment has proven to also reduce blood sugar, raise good HDL cholesterol, prevent abnormal heart rhythms, lessen the possibility of heart attacks and strokes, lower risk of obesity and related cancers, improve bone density, and boosts testosterone levels in men.

8. Oral Hygiene is a must: It’s important to floss your teeth before bedtime and to brush your teeth, at least, twice daily. An individual’s saliva flow slows at night while they sleep, which increases the risk of gum and tooth decay. Furthermore, the state of an individual’s gums impacts how their body works on several levels – tooth and gum decay are linked to conditions such as lung disease and diabetes.

Do your best to adhere to those eight rules in order to live a happy and healthy life. You’ll find that there are several do’s and don’ts that differ amongst doctors however, these eight concepts are universal.

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