Preventive Healthcare Is No More a Choice!

Care beforehand is what's required to shed diseases away; rather than investing huge amount of wealth to heal the pain when it's too late. The concept of preventive care is such valuable that one who understands about investing some time and money earlier can shield themselves from the culprits attacking their health. Desirable decisions previously taken are precious and are of utmost importance because when you become diseased they serve the purpose of healing not curing!

Meritorious Healthcare
Preventive healthcare in simple words can be defined as measures taken towards routine care for the body. This includes screening and counseling to help prevent illness, diseases or other health problems. It assists us to notice the diseases well in advance before any symptoms appear which make us to note them. Thus, has a significant effect on future course and outcome of a disease. It's an important determinant of health as it avoids or slows down the progress of a disease. To a greater extent, it deals with prevention of illness and decrease the burden of diseases and the associated risk factors.

Which diseases can be averted?
Regular check-ups will prevent the chances of getting ill in the first place. They have been recognized as a big barrier to battle against the enemies of our health. In turn these tests help us to recognize the disease at an initial stage and allows to start related treatment before the disease can develop and have harmful effects on health. Today, numerous tests have come up to predict the contingency of diseases, the prime ones are as under.

' Diabetes
A prediabetic stage can be detected and aptly managed so that it does not get converted into diabetes. Examining the blood glucose levels through simple tests gives exact idea about chances of becoming diabetic. It also allows to monitor abnormal glucose levels and plan accordingly to recover them to normal values. Following tests helps to do so:
1. Hemoglobin Alc Test Identify and monitor blood glucose (last 3 months)
2. Fructosamine test Check glucose control (past 2-3 weeks).
3. Random Blood Glucose Test Reveal blood glucose levels at the time of test.
4. Fasting Blood Glucose Test Detects hypoglycemic state.
5. Post Prandial Blood Glucose Test Indicate glucose levels (2 hours post meal).

' Thyroid Disorders
Thyroid disorders like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease and Goiter can be indicated by evaluating levels of thyroid hormones. Tests recommended for early recognition of the condition are:

1. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) Test Detects hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
2. Free Triiodothyronine (FT3) and Free Thyroxine (FT4) Test Diagnose hyperthyroidism and observe the treatment
3. Antimicrosomal Antibody (AMA Test) and Antithyroglobulin Antibody (ATG Test) For diagnosis of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Graves' disease.

' Liver Diseases
Health of one's liver can be determined by a liver profile test. Results of the test tells that how efficiently liver perform its role of detoxification, proper energy consumption, protein breakdown and transportation of bilirubin, hormones, metal ions, vitamins and drugs. In this test, the amount of following parameters are estimated.
1. Albumin and Globulin Test Transportation of bilirubin, hormones, metal ions, vitamins and drugs.
2. Alanine Transaminase (ALT) Test Examine proper energy consumption
3. Aspartate Transaminase (AST) Test Detect liver damage.
4. Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Test Analyze efficient protein breakdown.
5. Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) Test Evaluate liver diseases.
6. Bilirubin (conjugated and unconjugated) Test Examine detoxification by liver.

' Heart Diseases
A complete cholesterol profile is an easy indicator that checks the levels of good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol in the body. Some markers are efficient to determine the risk of cardiovascular diseases and are mentioned below:
1. Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) Test Inadequate levels serves as an indicator of cardiovascular diseases.
2. Apolipoprotein A (apo A) and Apolipoprotein B (apo B) Tests Monitors cholesterol levels in the body.
3. Homocysteine Test Elevated levels reflects risk of coronary heart diseases, stroke and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
4. Lipoprotein Test Increased levels posses risk of heart diseases.

' Kidney Diseases
Keeping an eye on certain important parameters can be suggestive of the possibility of kidney diseases.
1. Uric Acid Test To monitor gout.
2. Albumin Urea Evaluate kidney diseases.
3. Calcium and Creatinine Test Monitor kidney function.
4. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Determines the working of kidneys to excrete waste.

' Obesity
Many things can raise the chance of developing obesity like genes, lifestyle, food habits and gender too. However, evaluating the reasons that can have negative impact on metabolism can help us to predict the root cause. Assessing functions of liver, kidney and estimating the levels of cholesterol, iron, vitamins, human growth hormones, insulin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormones etc. may be helpful. Also, managing diet and lifestyle could make a big difference.

' Vitamin Deficiency
Sometimes the vitamins we are deficient of does not become evident to us but by specific tests of vitamins like Vitamin B and vitamin D beforehand; one can include the changes in the lifestyle, diet and avoid the circumstances that can cause the situation to become worse. Also, few supplements are used to treat and reduce the symptoms of deficiency. It can be diagnosed and monitored by Vitamin D and vitamin b12 test.

' Mineral Deficiency
Deficiencies of minerals can occur when they are present in lesser than the amounts required by the body. Insufficient amounts of these minerals in the body can be stopped from reaching harmful levels by testing and making small changes in the diet. Checking the levels of minerals will help to manage the deficiency to great extent. It can be diagnosed through testing of iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium and many more.

Early Recognition is Profitable
Importance of preventive care lies in the fact that it scrutinizes for diseases without the arrival of symptoms. Therefore, picking tests in advance and maintaining its continuity shall surely benefit us. Out of the numerous advantages, some are:
1. Every age group can be secured.
2. Increased average life expectancy.
3. Early detection of diseases today (not tomorrow on symptoms).
4. Aid in disease prevention with minimum loss to health.
5. Helps to prepare, plan and manage diseases better.

Don't Stay in Denial
While taking an insurance, one invests small amount to ensure his or her safety, if caught in an accident or diagnosed with disease. Similarly, preventive health checkup serves dual purpose as a person does not have to invest much, plus probability of suffering from any disease also becomes less. The need for the hour is a wide spectrum of preventive care education. Reliable sources which can provide individualized and affordable services can be done through preventive assessment, counselling and screening services. So, neglecting this care would not be a wise decision.

This is the time wherein the trends of supervising every health aspect is in air. Thus, preventive health care is a must which focuses on wellness and prevention of illness, ensure health management and provides an alternative primary care model that help us to achieve the health goals.

This concept picks the cause early than later, enables us live a long and healthy life, only with mere prior regular checkup strategy...