Chronic diseases have become the mainstream of disease? Let family medical doctors tell you why you need a "health check-up"

Taiwanese society has gradually entered the demographic pattern of developed countries, and the types of diseases among the population have gradually changed from infectious diseases to chronic diseases. Since chronic diseases have a long course, "preventive medicine" that emphasizes early detection before they occur has gradually received attention.

In preventive medicine, "health examination" is an important part. Qiu Hanmobian, director of the Health Management Center of National Taiwan University Hospital, said that the importance of health examinations is to detect chronic diseases in advance and to use medical treatment and lifestyle adjustments immediately to help people return to health.

For example, cancer has topped the top ten causes of death in the country in recent years. People talk about cancer, but in fact, cancer is not terrible. If it can be diagnosed and treated early, its prognosis is also very good. Cancer is a type of chronic disease. Diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are also chronic diseases. Through health examination screening, these diseases can be detected and appropriate treatment can be obtained.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, in 102 years, 332,000 people discovered that they had high blood pressure and 199,000 people discovered that they had hyperlipidemia after receiving health examination-related services. , 141,000 people found themselves with high blood sugar problems.

The National Health Service points out that people with metabolic syndrome are 6 times and 2 times more likely to suffer from diabetes and "heart disease and stroke" in the future than the general population, respectively. Those who discover their physical problems through health check-ups can take preventive and improvement measures in advance.

Accept correct health education information

Lin Yuting, director of the General Health Screening Department of the Family and Community Medicine Department of Zhenxing Hospital, said that in addition to early screening, the importance of health check-ups When suffering from chronic diseases, "receiving correct health education information" is also very important.

"During health examinations, medical staff will also provide common sense on health education. Paying attention to physical health, regular exercise, and proper diet are better than examination and treatment when the disease occurs," Lin Yuting mentioned. With the proliferation of information on the Internet, it is not easy for non-professionals to determine the authenticity. It is better to obtain the most accurate first-hand health information directly from doctors, case managers, and nutritionists.

Thoroughly implement "preventive medicine" to prevent most diseases

Although awareness of preventive medicine is on the rise and various data point out that health check-ups are effective, Chen from the Family Medicine Department of Yadong Hospital in New Taipei City Zhidao said that only a few people have this awareness and actually implement it. For example, not many people have the habit of health check-ups. According to statistics, *** provides free health examinations for adults over 40 years old every three years, and the annual utilization rate is only 20%. Most people waste these health examination resources.

Chen Zhidao mentioned that preventive medicine can be divided into primary prevention and secondary prevention. The primary prevention is the administration of influenza vaccine, while the secondary prevention is various types of health examinations. "If you can do these two steps of prevention, you can prevent most diseases," Chen Zhidao said.

In the vast sea of ??health examinations, start here!

Many people want to get a health check-up, but the dazzling array of health check-up information and packages make them dizzy, and they are immediately put off. Chen Zhidao pointed out that you can start with the resources provided by health insurance, because health insurance is a health checkup policy based on age, gender, and living habits based on a large amount of data analysis.

"For example, people over 40 years old will have free health examinations every three years, which include screening for some chronic diseases, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, liver and kidney function. Testing; the second is screening for four cancers, including colorectal cancer, oral cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer," Chen Zhidao suggested. ***X-ray examination: once every 2 years for women aged 45-69 and women aged 40-44 whose second-class blood relatives have had breast cancer. Pap smear test: every 3 years for women over 30 years old. Fecal occult blood test: once every 2 years for people aged 50 to under 75. Oral mucosal examination: once every 2 years for those over 30 years old who chew betel nut (including those who have quit betel nut) or smokers, and for aborigines over 18 years old who chew betel nut (including those who have quit betel nut).

Family medicine is a good choice for your consultation

However, many people do not do health check-ups. In addition to "feeling that they are in good health", there is another reason, that is, "doing it" After the physical examination, I can’t understand the results and don’t know what to do.” To address this problem, Chen Zhidao suggests that you can seek help from a family medicine department and bring the medical examination report and let the family medicine doctor analyze the results for you. , make suggestions.

If you have already done the health checkup provided by your health insurance and still want to go further for a more in-depth checkup, Chen Zhidao also recommends that you find a doctor with a background in preventive medicine or a family physician. , for consultation before the physical examination, "the doctor will refer to your physical examination results, family medical history, and living habits to find a more suitable physical examination method for you."