Category: Medical Exams

  • Immunize Or Your Health Care Costs Could Rise

    Medical Exams

    Women wearing face mask, smiling, showing bandage on arm where she got a vaccine.

    Vaccines prevent many diseases that could have a costly impact, resulting in doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, and premature deaths. Sick children can also cause parents to lose time from work.

    *  Learn about vaccines you and your children need fromcdc.gov/vaccines.

    *  Find if and which vaccines are covered benefits of your health plan.

    *  Contact your local health department about its vaccine services.

    *  Find out about free or low-cost vaccines for kids from the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program atcdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/index.html.

    *  Beginning in early fall, read local papers and store ads to find out where flu shots will be given. Find out if and when flu shots will be given at work.

    ays to Well-Being book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Ask “Is This X-Ray Really Necessary?”

    Medical Exams

    Doctor holding an x-ray film.

    Most of the time X-rays are necessary, but it’s up to the patient to question them anyway. You must stay alert to the possibility of being exposed to harmful levels of radiation through unnecessary X-rays, both medical and dental. The risks of overexposure can include sterility, birth defects, and the development of cancer in certain sensitive tissues.

    If you’re pregnant, or even suspect you might be, further precautions become even more imperative. Dental X-rays might be postponed or, if a medical X-ray is needed, a lead shield should cover the abdominal and pelvic area. Ask your doctor if an ultrasound examination might substitute.

    If you have switched to another doctor or dentist, it’s not always necessary to start fresh with new X-rays. Have your previous X-ray records sent to the new office.

    Page from A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine