Preventive Care: Benefits and Measures You Can Take for Your Health!

Modern lifestyle has its blessings as well as threats. With technology helping you in every aspect of your life, lifestyle-related ailments pose as a matter of great concern. The fast-paced and often stressed way of life may increase the risk of diseases such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart conditions and more that is why it is important for you to take preventive care. 

By taking preventive measures for your health, you can treat these conditions in a timely manner. While applying for preventive care, you can choose from multiple options. This will not only boost your options for the best treatment but may also help reduce your stress during the critical time of need.

Read on to know more about the benefits of preventive care and the tests and procedures that come under it.

Benefits of preventive care

Early detection

There are some health conditions that can be prevented and treated in the best way if they are detected early. One of the ways you can aid early detection is by taking preventive tests and going for screenings. These may be recommended on the basis of your and your family’s medical history. The tests help your doctor detect a condition based on subtle signs and treat it at an early stage. 

Increased life-span

When you are better prepared for what is to come, you have a better chance of fighting it. That’s why preventive care can increase your expected lifespan. It also helps control the risk factors of different health conditions as your health is under regular monitoring. 

Reduced health risks

When you are proactive about your health, you are in charge of it. Preventive tests help your doctor detect an underlying condition or its signs. This allows you to make changes in your lifestyle that would reduce the risk or spread of a health condition.  

For example, if you have a family history or signs of high cholesterol levels, your doctor may advise regular lipid profile tests. These will help evaluate the good and bad cholesterol levels in your blood. In case you do have high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, your doctor may tell you to make certain lifestyle changes. These may include changes in your diet and routine, or use of medication to help lower the levels. This way, you can control the problem before it gets worse and creates more issues.

Lower expenses

There are two ways in which preventive care may help lower your expenses. The first is that it reduces your long-term expenses of treating a disease. When a health condition is spread or completely developed, the treatment cost is usually on the higher side. Thus, when you catch the condition in early stages, the treatment cost is lower.

The other way in which preventive care lowers your expenses is through your insurance. Since many providers offer preventive healthcare packages, doing your tests becomes easy and affordable.

Tests and procedure that come under preventive care

Diabetes tests

This measures the glucose levels in your urine and blood. Glucose levels help determine whether you are at the risk of or already have diabetes. These tests are also known as blood glucose test, random blood sugar test, oral glucose tolerance test, or FPG.

Blood pressure check

A blood pressure test is done to determine whether you have hypertension (high blood pressure). This tests the pressure or force in the arteries when your heart beats. It may be a routine test for you at most doctor visits. With the help of the right equipment, you can even perform this at home. 

Lipid profile

This measures the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood. It helps detect your risks of a heart condition, a few types of pancreatitis, as well as certain genetic conditions and other health issues.

Cancer screening tests

As the name suggests, these tests can help determine cancers in breast, cervix, colon, skin, lungs, and mouth. Since 1950s, there has been a 70% decline in cervical cancer because of Pap test which was introduced in 1940s [2].

Apart from these, you should also look for changes in your body and symptoms of illnesses. Some of these are

• Growth of a lump
• Rapid weight loss
• Persistent fever, cough, body pains
• Sores or changes on your skin

You may need a specific type of preventive care based on your risk factors. To know which measure is ideal for you, talk to your doctor. 

Today, many insurers offer preventive healthcare packages as part of the policy. By purchasing the right one, you can reduce the financial strain of regular tests and doctor visits. Some of the preventive healthcare plans offered are

• Family packages
• Children packages
• Cancer packages
• Cardiac packages
• Diabetes packages

With a number of companies offering preventive health care packages, choose a plan that meets all your needs. A thorough analysis of your risks, lifestyle and options may help you reach a decision. The Complete Health Solution plans available on Bajaj Finserv Health offers a range of preventive care services including a free annual checkup. This contains more than 45 tests that can help you track your health better. It also gives you reimbursements on lab tests ordered by doctors. 

You can also choose the Health Preventive Package available Bajaj Finserv Health. The benefits under this plan go from lab tests to doctor consultations. Choose the most suitable plan and take the proactive approach to prevention!