How Preventative Medicine Can Help You Avoid Major Health Problems Later in Life

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to ignore subtle changes in our health-until they become unavoidable. But what if you could prevent those future health emergencies altogether? Preventative medicine, when done properly, can dramatically reduce your risk of developing serious health problems later in life. At The GP Clinic London, this philosophy is at the heart of everything we do.

What Is Preventative Medicine?

Preventative medicine is an action based (rather than reactionary) approach to healthcare. It aims at detecting the predisposition factors, as well as preventing the development of the symptoms related to the disease. Preventative medicine contrasts to traditional medicine because the former seeks to postpone, reduce and even prevent onset of diseases, in the latter, diseases are treated after developing.

Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and detecting early-stage cancers or identifying the genetic risk potential, preventative care allows people to be a step ahead of chronic issues- most of which can be prevented with early intervention.

The Price of Waiting It Out Symptomatic

A good number of health ailments, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes type 2, some types of cancers and osteoporosis, emerge slowly through the years. When symptoms become evident, so much damage may already have been done that it is not fully reversible.

Using symptoms is not appropriate in flagging disease. For example:

1. The heart ailments do not exhibit themselves until a heart attack takes place

2. The development of colorectal cancer may take a long period before showing signs.

3. Osteoporosis may go unnoticed until the moment when a bone fracture happens

4. This is where preventative medicine would be useful, not just useful, but potentially life saving.

The GP Clinic London’s Approach to Preventative Care

At GP Clinic London, we are of the belief that healthscreening should be ethically sound, evidence-based, and personalised. We go beyond the too-simplified promise of whole body scans, which often are counterproductive. Whole-body scans can miss important risk or worse identify irrelevant findings that result in unwarranted anxieties, invasive tests, or procedures.

The latter is the basis of our preventative care approach, which is based on clinical experience rather than a standardized evaluation:

       1.  Thorough history and family and medical history

       2.  Full physical exam

       3.   Examinations: urine analysis, ECG and extensive blood tests

       4.  A Focused Additional, age and sex customised testing and according to individual risk type

We also provide healthcare screening related to certain conditions, including:

1. Cardiovascular disease

2.  Prostate, lung, breast and colorectal cancer

3.  Osteoporosis

4.  Telomere testing

5.  Genetic testing (how your genes may affect how you respond to medication)

Beyond Diagnosis: Post-continuation of Care

It is not our work to get a diagnosis. We are on a unique journey with every patient to make sense of results, develop an individualised plan, and assist in lifestyle or medical actions. That may mean dietary changes, more activity, prescription, or referrals to a specialist-- whatever it is we are with you every step of the way.

Preventative medicine works best when it is given as a part of an ongoing relationship with a family GP over whose knowledge of the patient you have confidence, of their risk, as well as their goals. That is why several of our patients prefer to use Concierge Medicine service: These services provide 24/7 access, unlimited visits and a same-day availability of appointments.

An Investment in Your Future Health That Is Smarter

We are generally spending more of our money on our homes, vehicles or insurances compared to our long-term health. It is, however, not only about longevity prevention of illness, but rather improving the quality of that life. When taken right, you can be active, independant and can make it through your older age.

When you are ready to start gaining command of your future health, then it is time to get on with doing so. Preventative medicine is not something to be afraid of-it is a measure of confidence, clarity and peace of mind.