Empowerment

It is so important to have regular check-ups with your doctor.
You need to make sure you are up to date with your vaccines. Dr. Ken Greenberg, an Infectious Disease Physician, said it is important for adults to be vaccinated against, seasonal Flu, H1N1, Pertussis (Whooping Cough) and Tetanus. He said there is an upsurge in Pertussis and Tetanus in adults. Those of us who received these shots as children may have lost their immunity and need to be re-vaccinated.
Please, do not put off your yearly exam! Many people notice warning signs of disease and put off going to the doctor because they don't want to find out that they have X disease. In most cases, early detection can be the difference between life and death.
We can see with Michael's illness that vaccinations can be truly lifesaving. If you are not sure if you should get vaccinated, ask your Primary Care Physician (PCP) or Infectious Disease (ID) Doctor.
It is important to ask the right doctor about your medical issues. I had an uncle who ask his cardiologist about pain that he was having. Since it wasn't cardiovascular in nature the doctor sent him to a pain clinic. A year later, my uncle died of cancer. If he had just gone to his PCP, the cancer would have been detected earlier and he would have survived.
It is important to be followed by an Internist or PCP. They are the experts in total body health.
What happens if you find yourself in an emergency situation? Now you know to have your Medical Power of Attorney forms and 5 Wishes forms with you. If you or a loved one get sick during office hours, call your PCP and ask to be seen right away. The ER is not the place for non-emergency medical problems. The ER visualizes everyone as "really sick" and may miss a non-emergency medical diagnosis. If you do end up in the ER, you have the right to refuse treatments that seem not medically needed. Remember, the ER is for emergencies. I know this sounds silly, but you wouldn't believe how many people decide in the middle of the night that they need to have the ailment that has been bothering them for 2 weeks looked at! Chances are that if you see a PCP regularly, you can avoid non-emergency visits to the ER.
Go with your gut, empower yourself. If you feel you have something wrong and your doctor can't help you, see another doctor. See a different kind of doctor! You don't have to live with a chronic condition. The trick is to find the right care. For some people, it may take years to find the right person to help them. Don't give up.
The Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Colorado has, nutrition services, acupuncture, biofeedback, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Therapeutic Message, and Yoga, all integrated with Western medicine to meet patients needs. This integration is so important, do not go off and see just any, nutritionist, herbalist or acupuncturist, not everyone has the same expertise or certification. (Make sure the nutritionist you see is an American Dietetic Association Registered Dietitian RD, anyone can say they are a nutritionist). Some people can be helped by seeing an Osteopathic Doctor. They use manipulation to help patients. Osteopaths are different from Chiropractors. Ask them the difference.
Everyone should go in for baseline tests. It is important to take your children for their well baby checkups and to have your older children see their PCP before going off to camp/school/college.
Women should have a baseline mammogram at 35 (or earlier if you have a family history). Everyone should have a Colonoscopy at 50.
Men should have PSA screening test.
If you have a medical condition, it is so important to take your medication as it is prescribed. Don't skip pills, don't give your pills to others.