From the Phelps Memorial Education Team
Choose health and add quality years to your life. There are simple steps that you can take to add years and enhance your health. Choose to make some changes in your life. You can add quality years to your life and prevent some illness and disease by following these recommendations.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products; includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts; and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium) and added sugars. For more information on healthy eating tips, visit http://myplate.gov.
Keep Immunizations Current
Vaccines are among the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Immunizations can prevent disability and death from infectious diseases for individuals and can help control the spread of infections within communities. Smallpox has been eradicated, poliomyelitis has been eliminated from the Western Hemisphere, and measles cases in the United States are at a record low. Immunizations against influenza and pneumococcal disease can prevent serious illness and death. Do you know if you have received all the vaccines recommended for universal administration? If you are not sure, go to the following Website:
Stop Smoking
Eliminating smoking can greatly reduce the occurrence of coronary heart disease and other forms of cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of repeat heart attacks and death from heart disease by 50 percent or more. Lung function improves even after decades of smoking. To learn more, visit the American Heart Association website at http://www.americanheart.org
Exercise Regularly
Regular physical activity offers substantial improvements in health and well-being for the majority of Americans, who are not receiving enough physical activity. Moderate physical activity performed on most days of the week can substantially reduce the risk of dying from heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, and can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control website.
Practice Good Healthcare Guidelines
Everyone is advised to have an annual health checkup. This comprehensive examination will be an important factor for early detection of a specific disease or as a baseline examination for further checkups. Be aware of cancer, its signs and symptoms. Participate in regular cancer screening. Keep immunizations current and ensure that your children have been vaccinated. Use medication as prescribed and don't share. For more information, visit the Medline Plus website.
