1. Protect Yourself From Respiratory and Other Viruses With the Recommended Immunizations
The winter months are an important time to take steps to protect yourself from respiratory viruses and getting vaccinated is the best way to do that. The flu vaccine reduces your risk of getting the flu by 40%-60%. If you do get the flu, your symptoms will likely be milder and you are less likely to be hospitalized. Depending on your situation, it may also be appropriate to get vaccinated against other respiratory viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV.
Other important immunizations adults should get or stay up to date on include, the Tetanus or Tdap vaccine; the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine; the meningococcal vaccine; the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the shingles vaccine. You can easily check your immunization records by visiting the Wisconsin Immunization Registry. If you use MyChart, you will also receive messages with immunization reminders. Many vaccines are available at Froedtert Pharmacy locations.
2. Get a Yearly Physical or Annual Wellness Visit
Regular health checkups, such as your yearly physical or your annual wellness visit if you are on Medicare, help detect illnesses and conditions that are common and treatable. When you are established with a primary care team within the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network, you have access to leading specialists and the latest treatments, and your primary care team can help coordinate referrals and appointments to get you in to the doctor’s office sooner. All of your health records are in one place, which makes it easier and quicker for you to get care.
At your yearly physical, it is a good idea to get bloodwork done to check cholesterol and blood sugar levels as well as kidney and liver function. During the appointment, your doctor, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner can also guide you to appropriate resources when it comes to alcohol, depression or social and financial issues.
3. Schedule Your Routine Health Screenings
Screenings are used to find or manage diseases and conditions like cancer, stroke, heart disease and diabetes. Based on your results, your doctor will help you develop a prevention or treatment plan and refer you to a specialist if needed. Most screenings can be done at your Froedtert & MCW health center thanks to imaging and lab services.
Mammogram
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among American women. Early detection with a screening mammogram can increase your chances of survival. Starting at age 40 for women of average risk, it is important to talk with a doctor about getting a mammogram regularly.
Colon Cancer Screening
Colon cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in men and women in the United States, but it is highly curable if detected early. You should have your first colon and rectal cancer screening at age 45 if you are at risk and continue screening until age 75. Colon cancer screening can be done in the hospital with a colonoscopy or at home with noninvasive stool-based based tests, such as Cologuard®.
Prostate Cancer Screening
One in seven men will develop prostate cancer. For most men, the risk of prostate cancer goes up at age 50. For African American men, it is age 45. Talk with a doctor about your risk factors and to find out if a prostate cancer screening is right for you.
Besides routine screenings, your care team might also recommend specific screenings for you, based on your risk factors and health history. For example, an optional screening that may be considered for people with a higher risk of heart disease is called a coronary calcium CT. Another newer screening for people who have a higher risk of cancer is a blood test that screens for five different cancers before symptoms are present, called the Galleri® test. It screens for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer.
Certain health screenings are 100% covered by insurance but many are not. It is important to check your insurance coverage before you schedule.
4. Prioritize good sleep, a healthy diet and regular exercise
Sleep, diet and exercise impact your body’s ability to function, from your immune system to your metabolism and even your cognitive abilities.
- Adults should get a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night on a regular basis, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
- For a heart-healthy diet, the American Heart Association recommends a Mediterranean-style diet, made up of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, dairy, eggs, fish and lean meat.
- The Centers for Disease Control guidelines say adults should get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, which is about 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
If you have a question or need help setting a health goal, your primary care team can help. You can bring this up at your annual appointment or you can message your care team through MyChart. You can also explore the Wellness Marketplace, an online platform that provides a curated selection of products and services to help you meet common health and wellness needs. The Froedtert & MCW health network collaborates with Vale Health to offer the marketplace with products vetted by clinicians in categories such as sleep; weight, diet and nutrition; exercise; mental wellness; women’s health and home vital monitoring.
Find a primary care doctor or clinician who is right for you by viewing the videos and profiles at froedtert.com/doctors.
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