How to help yourself in the spring: 9 investments in health
OLGA LUKINSKAYA
In the spring you want to do something useful for yourself. - and this is a good idea, because to prevent a problem or illness is usually easier and cheaper than to treat or correct later. We tell you what useful things and procedures for health are worth investing in instead of a curious, but little useful genetic test or buying unnecessary vitamins.
Sunscreen
In order not to end up with unprotected skin in the sudden bright spring sun, we recommend buying several sunscreens at once: for daily care to apply in the morning, and sprays, sticks or small bottles that can be kept in a bag, backpack and locker of the fitness center. Tools with SPF have long ceased to be sticky, greasy and foul-smelling - you can choose from a variety of textures and formats (in this selection of our more than fifty options). Sun protection is recommended to be regularly updated, and this can be done even with makeup on the face.
HPV vaccination
Human papillomavirus is the cause of cervical cancer and several other types of malignant tumors. It is believed that the best time for vaccination is the age before sexual activity, and in many countries the HPV vaccine is included in the national vaccination calendar for children and adolescents. Nevertheless, the testimony is now expanding - in Australia and the United States, the testimony age is extended to 45 years. In Russia, the vaccine is not covered by the MHI and it will have to be done at its own expense, the vaccination course includes three doses (the second and third are administered 1 and 6 months after the first).
In addition, adults need to repeat vaccines against diphtheria and tetanus every ten years, and every year against influenza. Vaccination against the hepatitis B virus is recommended to anyone who has not received it before. Some adults need measles and rubella vaccination. These vaccines are included in the national calendar and are made free of charge.
Screening moles
Light-skinned people with a large number of moles, that is, in fact, most of the population of Russia, have an increased risk of melanoma. It is even higher for those who have sunk in the sun at least once in childhood. For the prevention of melanoma, it is important to avoid sunburn, not to go to the solarium, protect the skin with clothing and cosmetics and try to be in the shade. And it makes sense to examine a mole once a year with a specialist.
It is difficult to monitor changes in existing moles and the emergence of new ones on their own - especially on the back and in other places that are difficult to inspect. Therefore, it is worth regularly taking a digital dermatoscopy FotoFinder - this is a screening that includes photographing different areas of the body and the study of individual moles under high magnification. All photos are saved in the system and automatically compared with new ones at the next visit.
Pedometer or fitness gadget
Official WHO recommendations for adults - at least 75 minutes of intensive or 150 minutes of medium-intensity cardiac load per week. This is a permissible minimum, and for additional benefits, it is recommended to train twice as much - that is, with a high intensity of 150 minutes a week or with an average, but already 300 minutes. At the same time, there is no mention of a specific number of steps per day, and the popular goal of ten thousand steps is not confirmed by scientific evidence.
This does not mean that there is no need to go on foot and track activity — it’s just not proven that ten thousand steps a day are better than eight or, for example, twelve. Devices and applications that monitor activity, help to understand at what level it is, and take measures for their health. We only advise you not to bring the situation to extremes and not to scold yourself if one day you have passed a lot less than what you were supposed to.
Prevention for teeth
Dental health is an opportunity not only to avoid acute pain and costly treatment, but also to maintain the cardiovascular system in good condition. The basic preventive visit to the dentist is an examination and professional dental hygiene every six months. For the prevention of dental caries, the doctor may advise remineralizing therapy or sealing the fissures on the chewing teeth - however, the latter is often done in children and adolescents.
If the teeth are uneven, it is worth going to a consultation with an orthodontist; crowding and biting problems contribute to the development of caries and diseases of the temporomandibular joint. Another important prevention tool is a plastic night cap, which will relieve the load on your teeth, if you have bruxism, that is, the habit of tightly clenching your jaws. Without protection against bruxism, the tooth enamel suffers, the jaw bones are heavily loaded, and headache can occur.
Vision correction
Myopia or farsightedness is a state of discomfort that glasses or lenses generally help to cope with. For many people, they do not cause inconvenience, but it happens that the headache from the glasses, and the eyes can not get used to the lenses. Points can be forgotten, broken or lost; after all, not in all situations it is convenient to use them. If you have already thought about laser vision correction, it may be time to decide on it. Recovery from surgery is usually quick, and 90% of patients are satisfied with the results.
If you don’t think about surgery, and you don’t bother your eyes, but you haven’t been to an ophthalmologist for a long time, you should make an appointment to check your visual acuity and eye condition, and if necessary, choose glasses or lenses.
Contraception selection
Highly effective contraception is an opportunity to enjoy sex without worrying about the risk of unwanted pregnancy and not being nervous about each day of menstruation. Hormonal drugs from the first time can not perfectly find everything, but it's worth a try; a bonus to the contraceptive effect is often the normalization of skin condition and weight, the disappearance of the inconvenience associated with menstruation, and mood swings.
If it is difficult to drink pills every day or you are sure that you will forget about them, discuss with the gynecologist long-term methods such as implants, injections or intrauterine systems. The latter should not be afraid - although in Russia they often believe that they are only suitable for women who have given birth, in the USA this is one of the most recommended contraceptive methods among teenagers.
Infection tests
Sexually transmitted infections may not manifest themselves for some time, so it is better to do tests regularly, and not only when something is bothering you. There are no unambiguous recommendations on the frequency of STI tests - it depends on the number of partners, preventive measures and the presence of risk factors. Women who have a partner change are recommended to be checked annually for chlamydia and gonorrhea. A blood test for HIV is also best made part of a regular check-up.
As usual, we advise you to carefully choose a clinic or laboratory, studying reviews on the Internet or using the recommendations of friends. If gardnerrelez, ureaplasmosis or mycoplasmosis is called an STI and persuade to heal - look for another specialist.
Medical insurance
Choosing a VHI insurance, you should look at the specific clinics that are part of it, and study the reviews about them. On the other hand, if you often do not have to go to the doctor, and the city clinic is conveniently located and generally comfortable, then you can do without VHI. Another good insurance option for yourself or your loved ones is coverage for dangerous diseases, including cancer. It is highly likely that the standard DMS policy will not include the treatment of such conditions, and special insurance will allow you to pay for treatment of any complexity, including abroad.
PHOTO: lilkin - stock.adobe.com, Studio KIVI - stock.adobe.com, TanyaJoy - stock.adobe.com