Annual Checkups You Shouldn’t Skip

Mentor

There is no denying that prevention is superior to treatment when it comes to healthcare. Heading off disease and illness is preferential to treating it whenever possible. Thankfully, there are many ways to prevent unwanted and unnecessary illnesses and diseases through annual checkups, exams, and screenings.

Depending on age, there are recommended tests and screenings for men and women throughout their lives. While some are less of an issue in younger years, additional tests come into play as we age.

 Let’s take a look:

Women ages 18-39

  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Pelvic and breast exams, including STD screenings
  • Skin exams

Women ages 50-above

  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Pelvic and breast exams, including mammograms
  • Skin exams
  • Colon cancer screenings
  • Osteoporosis screenings
  • Lung Cancer screenings
  • Hormone screenings

Men ages 18-49

  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • STD screenings
  • Skin exams
  • Testicular screenings

Men ages 50-above

  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Skin exams
  • Colon cancer screenings
  • Osteoporosis screenings
  • Lung cancer screenings
  • Prostate cancer screenings

As you can see, there aren’t many differences in the sort of and type of screenings men and women should be having. Other than reproductive organ differences, men and women have virtually the same systems that are at risk as they age. Screening and looking for changes or alerts of potential issues can make aging easier and catch anything that may be a health threat.


While this list is general, there may be more specialized tests that are recommended based on the individual needs of each person. From hormone testing to genetic issues, every person is unique and deserves a highly personalized well-care plan.

In addition to cancer screenings and other tests, here are some additional tests that should be done every year at a minimum, unless your physician directs you otherwise:

  • Eye exams
  • Hearing tests
  • Dental screenings

These are equally important for great health and remaining independent as we grow older. Issue such as cataracts, hearing loss, and dental diseases can dramatically affect health and quality of life.

Managing health is a lifelong commitment. Many of the checkups taken in younger years can prevent illness, injury, and disease in later years. Consistent and routine medical checkups can make life easier and healthier for you and your family. Schedule your checkups and encourage those you love to do the same.

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The Right Doctor for the Right Reason

Body Image Healing Self-Care

Would you go to the baker for advice on cooking a roast? Would you ask your pharmacist to tell you how to change a tire? Likely not. You would likely ask the butcher how to prepare the best cut of meat for your Sunday dinner and consult a mechanic about how to properly change your flat. Seeking medical attention should be equally thought out.

The field of medicine is vast and incredibly concise. There are doctors who specialize in every aspect of the human body and its functions. Seeking the right doctor for the right reason is the key to optimizing your health care.


So, how do you do that?

Most people have what is called a primary care physician or General Practitioner. This means there is a point person who oversees your medical care on the day-in and day-out basis. This physician is likely the one you see when you have a cold or flu, sprained ankle, or a concern that you need help with. This physician generally conducts your annual well-care exams and maintains most of your baseline information and medical history.

When your primary care physician senses that an issue may require specialized opinions, diagnosis, or care, he or she will likely refer you to a specialist. They often have colleagues that they work closely with, or a network of providers whom they can connect their patients with, to take a more in-depth look.

If you have medical insurance, your carrier may have a protocol for finding, engaging, and paying for services from a specialist. Consult your agent or manual for details on how to access specialized care.

So, when should you seek a specialist?

A specialist is in order when your issue is very specific. Generalized issues are usually managed by primary care physicians or urgent care clinics. Here are some examples of when a specialist might be in order:

You have an acute injury or illness such as a broken bone or heart attack

You need follow-up care from an injury or illness

You have been diagnosed with a specific disease

You have a chronic issue that hasn’t responded to treatment

You have a recommendation from your primary care physician

These are only a few examples of reasons you should seek a specialist. Consult with your primary care physician if you are not sure what your next steps should be.

Just as you seek out the perfect provider in other areas of life, you should seek out the best physician for the intricate areas of your medical care. There is a right doctor for the right reason who can swiftly diagnose your case, provide quality care, and shorten the length of your healing.

See the other articles in the series:

  1. Should You Go to the Doctor if You are Healthy?
  2. 3 Reasons You Should See the Doctor Every Year
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The Risks You Take When You Don’t See the Doctor

Mentor

“Out of sight, out of mind.”

“What you don’t know can’t hurt you.”

Two powerful old-school statements that are used to protect our egos from reality. When it comes to health issues, neither statement has any wisdom. In fact, what you don’t pay attention to can cause great harm if left unmanaged.

Typically, healthcare comes from the standpoint of treating illnesses, diseases, and injuries as they come up. A reaction to a problem rather than preventing problems. While there is nothing wrong with seeking medical interventions when sickness or injury is present, there are great benefits to preventing injuries and illnesses before they happen.

There are many reasons that people do not seek medical help:

  • Lack of education on the benefits of medical care
  • No access to medical care
  • No insurance or income for medical care
  • Religious beliefs
  • Influences in the media
  • Cultural beliefs
  • And more…

No matter the reason, the results can be dire. The risks you take when you don’t see a doctor can be catastrophic, even deadly! One Instagram account, Nicole Angemi, MS, PA @mrs_angemi hosts an educational account that features the devastating realities for men, women, and children who do not seek medical care. Amongst her posts of medical mysteries, freak accidents, and diseases, are autopsies and other posts about preventable diseases that went undiagnosed and/or untreated. Angemi regularly shares that the predominant reasons people do not seek medical care are ignorance, income, or lack of access to medical care.   

What are the risks you take when you don’t see a doctor?

Increased risk of preventable illness and disease- Whether you have annual exams and specialized screenings or seek medical care when prompted by illness or injury, seeing the physician is the best way to prevent or recover. When you don’t see a physician, you increase the risks for developing preventable diseases or illnesses.

Things like:

  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Heart disease
  • Cancer
  • Bone density issues
  • And more…

Many diseases and malfunctions within the systems of the body have few or no warning signs and lack of education can prevent the warning signs from being effective. Not seeing the physician can cause permanent damage from preventable issues.

Increased risk of hurting others- There is an increase of parents choosing not to vaccinate their children. While the reasoning behind this decision is up for debate, the result of not vaccinating children is undeniable. Children who have not been immunized against communicable disease are themselves at risk and put other members of the population at risk as well. Diseases like polio, measles, and other public health issues can easily affect the young, the frail, and those with compromised immune systems.

Men and women with untreated STD (sexually transmitted diseases) can infect others when they have unprotected sex. Not seeking proper medical treatment for an STD can create an epidemic of infected people as well as cause sterilization and other reproductive illnesses.

Needless suffering- Untreated illnesses, diseases, and injuries can morph into far worse issues. Ignoring, avoiding, or not treating an issue can cause pain and suffering that is needless and preventable. Not seeing a physician can leave you and those who care for you or rely on you in great pains as well. Lost days of work, chronic illness, and permanent disability may be in the forecast without treatment.

Early mortality- The fact is, untreated illnesses, diseases, and injuries can reduce life span. From prevention to treatment, seeing a physician can prolong lifespan and give the best quality of life regardless of any diagnosis.

There is great risk from not seeing a doctor. Being prevention-minded and seeking medical care when illness and injury occur is the best way to prevent needless suffering and prolong a better quality of life.

See the other articles in the series:

  1. Should You Go to the Doctor if You are Healthy?
  2. 3 Reasons You Should See the Doctor Every Year

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3 Reasons You Should See the Doctor Every Year

Body Image Healing Self-Care

Do you see your physician annually for a well-care checkup? You should! Our health and risk factors consistently change over time. Each year our bodies change, and regular checkups can prevent some diseases entirely.

If you haven’t established a relationship with a primary care physician, it is highly recommended. While urgent care facilities are great for injuries and issues like the cold and flu, having a primary care doctor and building a relationship can be a lifesaving decision.

Even if you only see your primary care doctor once per year, seeing the same person and establishing a relationship with them and their staff can benefit you in ways you may not have thought of. Here are three reasons you should see a doctor every year:

To gather baseline information- Each year, your body changes. Seeing your physician each year provides vital information that can be compared over time. Your baseline is how your body presents in its normal and high-functioning state. Each time you come back and have new tests, those results can be compared to prior tests and changes can be identified easier.

Seeing the same provider over time allows them to have a better perspective when reviewing your annual information and can make a big difference in catching potential problems earlier and provide higher quality care.

To receive an education- Seeing a physician annually can give you an education on what is important at that moment to maximize your health – from explaining typical concerns for your health and wellbeing to making suggestions for you to change and increase your quality of life or decrease something that may be affecting you negatively.

Education is a vital aspect of health care. You can’t change or introduce something into your life if you are unaware that you should. Your physician is trained to know what to look for and what to do based on the information he gathers from your annual exam or specialty screening.

To learn prevention- Similar to education, prevention is key to avoid future illness and suffering. From preventive tests to actions that stop the advancement of other issues, seeing your physician annually can make all the difference when it comes to avoiding health issues down the line.  

Related Posts:

Should You Go to the Doctor if You are Healthy?

The Risks You Take When You Don’t See the Doctor

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Should You Go to the Doctor if You are Healthy?

Body Image Healing Mentor Self-Care

Have you been blessed with relatively good health? Do you find that you don’t use the services of a doctor very often and likely wouldn’t seek their help unless you were seriously ill? That’s a very common mindset. Why would you go to the doctor when you aren’t sick?

In reality, well-care is an important way to stay ahead of diseases and their devastating effects. While the common cold and flu won’t necessarily cause you too much harm, other illnesses will. Many things that can hurt us or seriously affect our health do not present with dramatic symptoms until things have gotten out of hand. Well-care can prevent the escalation of disease that can morph and lead to life-threatening issues.

You may recall taking your child to the doctor for well-baby checkups when they were developing through their first two years of life. These visits were designed to help your baby stay on track with its development and intervene if something wasn’t quite right. The frequency of visits made health care easy and prevention a sure thing. After your child reached two, these visits dropped off to as-needed.

While you likely don’t need to visit the physician as often as a new baby, there is value in regular annual visits as well as milestone visits as we age. An annual exam can alert your physician to changes in your body and its systems that you may not notice on the day-to-day. Having a ‘baseline’ of your blood work, and laying eyes on your physical being, can help prevent illness and/or enable early intervention if something comes up.

Some common annual tests include:

  • Full blood panel
  • Pap smear and other gynecological exams
  • Breast checks
  • Prostate checks
  • Mole and skin checks
  • Hearing and sight exams

Not so common – but equally important – checks as we age include:

  • Colonoscopy
  • Memory and cognitive functioning
  • Cancer screenings
  • STD and HIV screenings
  • Diabetes screenings

If you haven’t given much thought to your health because it has been awesome, consider keeping it that way by getting a routine physical or specialty screening to preserve your health and head off any diseases that might come up.

Routine health care and wellness checkups are a smart and responsible way to manage your health and save money. Contact your health provider today and see what they suggest for your age and risk factors.

Related Posts:

3 Reasons You Should See the Doctor Every Year

The Risks You Take When You Don’t See the Doctor

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Increase Your Mental Health by Going Outdoors

Healing Mentor

Depending on where you live, you may or may not spend much time outdoors. You may or may not have a lifestyle that is integrated with being outside, and you may or may not know the direct benefits that come from spending quality time in nature. Whether you are tuned-in entirely to the wonders that come from being out of the house or have no experience with outdoor activities – there is literally a world waiting for you.

Studies have shown the dramatic benefits that being outside has on physical and mental health. We are designed specifically to be rejuvenated and nourished by fresh air and the vitamins and minerals that come from being in the sun and among the elements. Our human bodies were designed with the expectation to be outside and operate better when outdoor activities are a common practice.

Let’s look at unexpected ways that going outside makes an impact on our bodies and mental health

Better Scenery- From a hike in the woods to walking the beach, being outside offers scenery that is breathtaking. Whether exploring your backyard and all of the wonders you have locally or traveling – domestic and foreign – there is unlimited opportunity to see the wonders of the world. Taking in the beauty of nature elevates your compassion, your self-esteem, your appreciation, and your understanding of a world bigger than yourself.

Better Bones- Vitamin D is found most readily in nature. Being in the sun daily from 5 to 15 minutes can increase the levels of Vitamin D in your body. When the sun is absorbed through the arms, hands, and face, Vitamin D works to develop stronger bones. Though long exposure to sun at peak times – usually 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. – can be damaging, responsible exposure to the sun is an important part of staying healthy and building stronger bones.

Better Mood- Light and dark work in tandem to create hormones that regulate mood. Being in the sun increases serotonin which supports energy, happiness, and mood during the day. Melatonin is produced at night which helps with restful and restorative sleep. Being in the sun regularly can prevent depression and increase energy levels. 

Better Skin- Some skin conditions like eczema and acne benefit from sunlight. The healing and drying properties that come from the sun can reduce the frequency and intensity of some skin conditions. 

Better Health- Being in nature generally requires movement. Whether hiking, biking, swimming, walking, running, or simply playing with your children, there are limitless ways to be outside. Being active – rain or shine – builds healthy muscles, and fresh air clears your mind and removes stress. The more you are outdoors, the more you are incorporating movement with your lifestyle and your overall health will improve. Being outdoors is one of the easiest ways to reduce stress, enjoy nature, and build a better body inside and out. Find new ways to enjoy being outside and discover a fresh new perspective and a renewed body.

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Journaling

Anxiety Healing Meditation Mentor

Journaling

When I first started journaling, I had no idea how it worked. I thought it was just recording what happened during my day.  As I got older and started to understand what a wonderful tool it is.

Journaling allows you to work through your emotions and dive deeper into your everyday thoughts and behaviors.

  • Having trouble knowing what write or feeling uninspired.  Try doodling drawing etc to get juices flowing.
  • Create a running list of journal prompts that you can turn to in a pinch.
  • If physically writing out your thoughts is causing writer’s block, don’t force yourself to stick with it. You can type in Google docs or use your phone’s notepad application. Digital journals are easy to back up, access, and organize.
  • Let yourself be messy, your journal isn’t here to look pretty. It’s here for you to explore your thoughts, work through big emotions, and encourage introspection.
  • Don’t Edit as You Go – If you make a mistake, scribble it out and keep going. ‘Mistakes” distract you from your train of thought.
  • Carry Your Journal at All Times, you can write whenever inspiration strikes (and you have a few minutes to spare!) Can’t write the entry immediately, jot down a vague heading and some bullet points containing your thoughts and ideas. Later, you can remind yourself what you thought and write the full entry.
  • Write to Yourself – great way to track your progress and growth. Try to remember what it was like to be 5, 10, or 20 years younger. What were you worried about? What were your dreams? After putting yourself in a smaller pair of your own shoes, write a letter to that version of yourself.
  • Write about the people you know now, your job, your family, your pets, your habits, things you’ve overcome, and areas where you’ve changed. Compare and contrast your life now and then.
  • Write About What You Want – don’t force yourself to write about something that irritates you. Your journal is a tool meant for your benefit and growth. If you hate a prompt, get annoyed with a specific journal structure, or find an entire guided journal infuriating – you don’t have to stick with it.
  • Write In Different Places – they can trigger different memories and bring out different aspects of your personality
  • Turn Off Distractions
    • Turn off your phone if you can, otherwise put it on silent and place it face down. Put away anything that will distract you as you’re writing.
  •  Set a Timer – set a judgment-free timer for 10 or 15 minutes. If the timer  goes off and you’ve found a flow or are on a thought path you want to dive deeper into, you can continue! But you can’t stop until the timer goes off.

Stream of Consciousness  – write down whatever pops into your head. Don’t worry about finishing sentences – if your thoughts switch, your writing must too!

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What are limiting beliefs

Anxiety Healing Mentor

Limiting Belief

Limiting beliefs are self-sabotaging and untrue thoughts that a person believes to be true about themselves and their capabilities.

These beliefs limit a person’s potential and keep them from reaching their goals. Some examples of limiting beliefs include: “I’m not smart enough,” “I’m not talented enough,” “I can’t succeed,” “I’m not good enough,” “I’m not worthy,” and “I’m not capable.”

Limiting beliefs can be extremely damaging and can prevent a person from achieving their dreams.

These beliefs can be acquired through childhood trauma, negative experiences, or even society’s standards. For example, if a child fails a test, they may develop a limiting belief that they are “not smart” or “not capable” of succeeding in the future, even though this may not be true.

To overcome limiting beliefs, it’s important to recognize them and challenge them.

Acknowledge the thought, but don’t let it define you or hinder your progress.

Working on self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-acceptance can also be beneficial in overcoming limiting beliefs.

Ultimately, it’s important to recognize that we all have potential, and everyone deserves to be given the opportunity to succeed.

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What does Holistic healing mean?

Healing

Holistic healing is an approach to health care that looks at the entire person—body, mind, spirit, and emotions—in the quest for optimal health and wellness.

Holistic healing considers the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle.

It emphasizes the connection between the mind and body and strives to achieve balance and harmony of the mind, body, and spirit.

Holistic healing takes into account all aspects of the individual in determining treatment.

Rather than simply treating the symptoms of a disease, a holistic approach looks at the underlying cause. It attempts to address the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the person.

Holistic healing focuses on using natural remedies and treatments rather than relying on Western medicine. It uses a variety of therapies, such as massage, acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, movement, and energy work. Some therapies, such as homeopathy, may not be widely accepted by Western medicine, but many holistic practitioners believe that these modalities can be effective in treating a variety of illnesses and conditions.

The goal of holistic healing is to create balance in the body so that the body can heal itself. This can be achieved through lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, and spiritual practices. Holistic healing encourages a person to become more aware of their body and its needs, and to take responsibility for their own health and wellness.

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What is healing energy healing?

Healing

healing hands, chakras and lotus

This is the first in a series on Energy Healing.

Healing energy is the power of positive energy which can be used to heal and help others. It is often used as a way to improve physical, mental, and spiritual health. Healing energy is a form of energy healing which is based on the belief that all living things have energy fields that can be harnessed to heal and promote wellness.

Energy healing includes many modalities. These modalities include spiritual healing, laying on hands, prayer, meditation, crystal energy work, reiki, crystal reiki, emotional freedom technique, yoga, plant-based healing (includes aroma therapy, essential oils and Herbal remedies), chakra work, and sound therapy (also known as sound bath) are the ones I am most familiar with. (This may not be a comprehensive list but does give a general idea of what is available. I will be going into more detail on each of the modalities in later posts.

Energy healing is not specific to any religion or spiritual belief. The modalities can be used by anyone.

Reiki is one of the most popular forms of healing energy. It is based on the belief that the practitioner can channel energy from the universe and transfer it to the recipient. Reiki is commonly used to address physical ailments such as chronic pain, improve emotional health, reduce stress, and promote spiritual growth.

Pranic healing is another form of healing energy. Pranic healing is based on the belief that the body has an energy field that can be manipulated to heal the body and mind. This form of healing focuses on the manipulation of the body’s energy fields to restore balance and wellbeing.

Crystal healing is a form of healing energy that uses crystals to absorb and direct energy. Crystals are believed to have healing properties and can be used to balance the body’s energy fields. Crystal healing is often used to promote physical and emotional healing as well as spiritual growth.

Sound healing is a form of healing energy that uses sound vibrations to restore balance and wellbeing. Sound healing works with the body’s energy fields to reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and promote healing.

These are just a few examples of healing energy. Each form of healing energy has its own unique benefits and can be used to improve physical, mental, and spiritual health.

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