Health Care in Canada: Make Some Routine Choices About Aging Successfully.

Women tend to go for check-ups on a reasonably regular basis; men on the other hand, tend not to go so often. Both genders should invest in their health. You would neglect your car by not checking the oil and the brakes, why would you be less careful about your body?

Regular check-ups & vaccinations: These are truly important. Check-ups provide baselines on your health - these are vital should you get sick. On an on-going basis, check-ups allow your doctor to monitor how you are doing; they are invaluable for early detection of what could be serious problems later. For example, 120/80 is normal for blood pressure readings. If yours is slowly creeping up, regular check-ups can catch it before it becomes a serious issue. You should also know your cholesterol readings, have your weight monitored, be sure your bones are healthy and get routine blood work done - again - to pick up problems early. Having a one time shot against pneumonia may be a good idea, flu shots in the fall can keep you healthy and having regular shots for things like tetnus can safe guard your health. Females need breast exams; mammograms and pap tests; males are wise to get regular prostate screening.

Dental check-ups: Seeing your dentist is a smart way to ensure your teeth and gums don’t provide a breeding ground for cavities and gum disease. Cavities can be painful and loosing teeth will seriously compromise your ability to chew your food. There is increasing evidence that infections in the gum area could have repercussions for heart health. Bleeding gums need to be dealt with promptly. Why not play it safe, pop in to your dentist and hygienist every 6 months.

Optical check-ups: A routine eye exam serves many purposes. It allows contact with a doctor who can provide advice about eye care, which may reduce the incidence of eye disease and injury. Having regular optical check-ups help to catch degenerative eye diseases such as glaucoma and/or AMD, and lead to earlier treatment to slow the progression of the disease.

Protecting your health is important at any age, and it’s never too early or too late to start.

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