While worrying about others during the holidays, we can forget to take care of ourselves. Dr. Kevin Means, a primary care physician at Virginia Mason, talks about the importance of prioritizing your health.
The importance of a primary care physician
Your primary care physician is like a quarterback for your health. Part of having a healthy lifestyle is having someone you can turn to in order to navigate your health, whether it's staying healthy if you are feeling well, or having someone there to walk you through that pathway if you are dealing with medical issues.
"One of the benefits of having a primary care doctor is they get to know you. They get to know what's normal for you, and then when something does come up, If that were to happen, they know that there's been a change."
When it comes time to make complicated decisions about your health, its good to have someone with whom you have a relationship that can help you navigate the options.
Know your family history
It's important to know if there are any major medical issues that run in your family, like if your parents or grandparents have a history of specific cancer. A lot of times this history can get "lost in the fog" where maybe there wasn't a clear diagnosis, but the holidays are a great time to check in with your family.
Some questions to ask are: How are you feeling? Do you have health issues that we should be aware of? Is there something that we need to be concerned about or checking with our doctors about?
Get your flu shot
It's not too late to get your flu shot! For adults, its recommended you get a flu shot every year. "We see people with the flu in the hospital getting very sick every year and the flu shot is a great way to prevent yourself from ending up in that situation."
Some things you can do are knowing your family history, having a regular care provider and making sure to get vaccinated.
Eat right and Excersize
The old standby holds up. Everything comes back to this advice when living a healthy lifestyle. If you have issues that prevent you from exercising, like orthopedic issues, talking to your Primary Care Physician can help you come up with options. They can help guide you through any dietary constraints and develop a plan. They also have access to different resources within the clinic like physical therapists and nutritionists that can help you.
Discuss mental health issues with your doctor
Your Primary Care Physician is well equipped to help you with any mental health concerns like anxiety and depression. These are common concerns and places like Virginia Mason have incorporated mental health into their clinics. Don't be afraid to bring it up, says Dr. Means, "The holidays are a common time for that to kind of rear up."
Make your appointment as fruitful as possible
- When you schedule the appointment, discuss with the scheduler what you'd like to talk to the doctor about. They can make sure you are scheduled for the right type of appointment.
- Make a list! Know what are the most important things you want to discuss and write them down.
- If it comes down to it and you need more time, you can always make another appointment. "That's the benefit of a long-term relationship".
This segment is brought to you by Virginia Mason. Watch KING 5's New Day Northwest 11:00 weekdays and streaming live on KING5.com. Connect with New Day via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.