Taking Charge of Your Health: Young Adults in Their Twenties
Your twenties are a time in your life to learn about yourself, which includes your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Whether it’s career achievements, family goals, or health, it is important to cement a good foundation for the future. In regards to your health specifically, the goal should be to set up smart, healthy lifestyle habits that can prevent illness wherever possible.
Preventative Health Measures for Men and Women
1.Schedule regular health maintenance visits
These visits screen you for hypertension and cardiovascular risks such as high blood pressure, weight and body mass index (BMI), and diabetes. Regular visits also include reproductive exams, like genital exams and an additional breast exam for women. This helps you understand what is normal and what abnormalities to look for. Your doctor should also look out for diseases you may be susceptible to based on family history. A lipid panel screening is recommended, especially for those with known risk factors like being overweight, history of high blood pressure, and family history of early heart disease.
2. Stay up-to-date with your vaccinations
A simple way to protect your body and immune system from viruses! Consider:
- -Annual flu shots
- -HPV vaccine series
- -Meningitis vaccine, especially for those living in communal environments like college and dorms
- -Varicella vaccine for those who haven’t had chickenpox
3. Get tested for STD’s
Rates of STD’s are highest in this age group. If you are sexually active, it is important to get tested for STD’s because not all may present signs or symptoms. For women, this can cause issues down the road with fertility if not treated. Consider getting tested for:
- -Gonorrhea
- -Chlamydia
- -HIV
If you’ve previously had an STD you should be tested every three months, as you may be more susceptible to future infections. If you’ve never had an STD, get tested when you have a new partner or have had unprotected sex.
An annual HIV screening is recommended unless you fall into a higher risk population (such as men who have sex with men), where you should get tested more often.
4. Establish healthy habits that will last throughout your life
The good habits you pick up earlier on in life can prove very beneficial later on. In addition to getting regular health visits with your medical practitioner, consider the following:
- Exercise. take care of your cardiovascular health with 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week. It can be anything from running, biking, dancing, swimming, walking your dog. Make it fit your lifestyle and make it fun!
- Nutrition. This goes hand-in-hand with exercise. We encourage a balanced diet where you can enjoy what you like in moderation.
- Mental health. Mental health issues are increasingly common in the young adult population and may be different than those of older populations. It doesn’t always require diagnosis or medication, but it’s always appropriate to seek help
Have questions about preventative care specifically for you or a young adult in your life?
Schedule a meet & greet with one of our concierge doctors in Great Neck. Send us a note or call 516-627-4433!
.jpg)
