Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/621126
32 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016 O ne of the largest expenses in the United States is the rising cost of health care. e U.S. has let preventive health care slip away, and we're paying the price. Heart disease, diabetes, and other obesity-related diseases cost our country more than $1.8 trillion in 2012, a number that has continued to rise. On the flip side, many of the health issues we face are preventable. By taking proactive measures and arming ourselves with appropriate screenings and treatments, we can improve our quality of life and focus on living every day to its fullest. One of the best ways to be proactive about your health and prevent illness is to take advantage of health screenings. Much like routine car maintenance, screenings are a simple yet powerful step in preventing bigger problems. Identifying risks early— including for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, which are often without symptoms in the very early stages—gives you more options for a proactive response. Here are some of the most recommended medical screenings. • Cardiovascular disease: This is the leading cause of death in the United States. Medical professionals recommend a blood-pressure reading along with a lipid panel yearly after the age of 20. Higher-risk populations may consider getting tested twice a year. Those groups include the overweight, males over 35, females over 45, and anyone with a known family history of heart disease. • Diabetes: The American Diabetes Association estimates 79 million Americans are on the verge of having diabetes. Medical professionals recommend a fasting blood glucose test yearly for those over 30. Higher-risk populations should be tested twice a year and include overweight individuals, those with high blood pressure, and anyone over the age of 40 or with a family history of diabetes. • Bone density: Currently, more than 44 million Americans are diagnosed with osteoporosis, 68 percent of them being women. Medical professionals recommend a DEXA bone density screening every five years after the age of 50. High-risk populations should be tested every two years. This includes post-menopausal women, men over 60, or if you have experienced height loss of a half-inch or more within one year. Wellness By Eric Chen, WAC Nutritionist T he start of a new year is a natural moment to take stock of the past and set goals for the future. Our goal in the WAC Wellness department is to get our members thinking differently about their health. We'd like to see people take steps toward creating good health rather than being satisfied with the absence of illness. Many members work out regularly. Although this improves your quality of life, there is more to do. Despite exercising, you may be experiencing low energy levels, chronic pain, restless sleep, restricted motion, or heightened anxiety. This year, relieve yourself of these symptoms. Use one of the many proactive ways available to you to assess your current health status and then set a plan of action to improve. New WAC Nutritionist Eric Chen has compiled a list of screenings that can help. Tamela Thomas, Wellness Manager tamelat@wac.net 206.464.4639 A clean bill of health Testing your well-being How simple screenings can set you up for a better life