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Keeping your kids updated on vaccines and screenings is a good way to make sure they stay healthy as they grow older. Vaccines and screenings are types of preventive health services. They are usually provided during routine and yearly well-child visits.
Taking your kids for regular health checkups comes with a long list of benefits. Here’s a closer look at those benefits.
Stay Updated on Immunizations
Vaccines and immunizations can protect your kids from serious diseases. They can strengthen their immune systems and help them fight germs.
At well-child visits, your provider can make sure your kids are up to date on immunizations. Many providers follow the CDC immunization schedule, and in Maryland, pediatricians follow the Maryland Department of Health recommended vaccine schedule . Your provider can tell you which vaccines your kids need based on their age and health status.
Diseases that may be prevented with vaccines include:
- Chickenpox
- Flu
- Diphtheria (an infection of the nose and throat)
- Hepatitis A and B
- Hib (a bacteria that can lead to brain infection)
- HPV
- Measles
- Meningococcal (an infection of the brain and spinal cord)
- Mumps
- Polio
- Pneumococcal (a serious bacterial disease)
- Rotavirus (a virus that causes diarrhea)
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, a respiratory virus)
- Rubella (a type of measles)
- Tetanus
- Whooping cough
Attend Routine Exams and Screenings
Screenings allow your healthcare provider to find and diagnose serious health conditions in your kids. Diseases that are caught early on can often be treated right away.
Recommended screenings for kids between the ages of 2 and 18:
- Vision and hearing tests, every 1 to 2 years
- Nutritional Screenings
- Social determinants of health screenings
- Oral health checkups, about every 6 months
- Blood pressure, every year after the age of 3
- Type 2 diabetes, at least every 3 years after the age of 10
- Weight checks at routine exams
- Lead Screenings between the ages of 12 months and 24 months, and additional testing, as necessary
- Other health screenings, as needed
Counseling on important health topics may also be given to your kids during yearly exams. Health topics that may be covered during well-child visits include:
- Exercise and physical activity
- Healthy diet
- Quality sleep
- Hygiene and self-care
- Sunscreen
- Anxiety and depression
Reduce the Risk of Health Problems
Vaccines, immunizations, and screenings are all key components of preventive healthcare for children. Preventive health focuses on practicing healthy behaviors that can prevent illness instead of waiting to make healthy changes after you get sick.
Benefits of preventive child healthcare include:
- Higher quality of life for your children and for your family as a whole
- Fewer illnesses
- Mild symptoms of illnesses when they do occur
- Early diagnosis and treatment
- Higher performance at school
- Lower medical costs
- Longer lifespan
- Fewer visits to the doctor or hospital
Kids who establish healthy habits early on can grow up to become healthy and well-informed adults. Routine well-child visits can set your kids up for health success and ensure they go on to live long and happy lives.
Do you need help finding a Primary Care Provider for your children? Contact us today at 1-888-524-1999 for assistance with finding a quality healthcare provider today.
Protect Yourself from STIs: What You Need to Know
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) affect millions of Americans in any given year.
Knowing how to protect yourself from STIs can help you stay healthy. Here are some sexual health tips that can help you reduce your risk for STIs.
What Are STIs?
An STI is an infection you can get through sexual contact. It can happen during vaginal sex, oral sex, or anal sex. Infections may be caused by a virus, parasite, bacteria, or fungus.
Anyone who has sex or genital skin-to-skin contact can get an STI. However, certain behaviors can put you at higher risk.
STI risk factors include:
- Having sex without a condom
- Having multiple sex partners
- Having sex with people you don’t know very well
- Having sex while using drugs or alcohol
What Are the Most Effective Ways to Protect Against STIs?
The most effective way to protect yourself against an STI is to not have sex. This practice is known as abstinence.
Other ways to reduce your risk for STIs include:
- Getting the HPV and hepatitis B vaccines
- Using a condom every time you have sex
- Reducing your number of sex partners
- Seeing your provider for STI testing
- Avoiding sex when using drugs or alcohol
When to Get Tested for STIs
Many STIs do not cause symptoms. This can make it difficult to know if you have one. Here are some instances where you may want to consider STI testing:
- You had sexual contact without using a condom.
- You learned that your sexual partner has an STI.
- You think you were exposed to an STI.
- You are experiencing symptoms of an STI.
What Are the Most Common STIs and Their Symptoms?
There are more than 30 different STIs, according to the World Health Organization. Here are some of the most common types.
Syphilis
Syphilis can spread when someone comes into contact with open sores on an infected person. Tiny, painless sores are the first symptom of syphilis. Later on, it can cause symptoms including rash, hair loss, and sore throat.
Treatments for syphilis has been in shorter supply recently, which makes being aware of it and doing your best to avoid infection even more important.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported STI in the U.S. It is caused by bacteria and spreads through bodily fluids. Common symptoms are pain during sex and urination.
Herpes
Herpes is caused by a virus. It spreads through bodily fluids when open sores are present. Itching and sores near the genitals are some of the many common herpes symptoms.
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be spread when an infected person shares bodily fluids with another. Over time, this virus can turn into AIDS when not treated. Early-stage HIV can feel like the flu, with symptoms including fever, chills, and rash.
HPV
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a group of around 200 viruses. Nine in 10 cases of HPV go away on their own, but some can turn into cancer. The most prominent symptom of HPV is warts.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea usually spreads at the same time as chlamydia through bodily fluids. Its symptoms include painful urination and discharge from the penis or vagina.
Ask your provider about STI testing if you think you might have an STI. Your provider can talk to you in more detail about testing and sexual health.
Jai Medical Systems can connect you with a health provider today. Contact us at 1-888-524-1999 to learn more about our benefits and services.
Colorectal (colon and rectal) cancer is the third most common cancer in the world. It is more slightly common in men than in women. Colon cancer screening can often lead to early detection and treatment.
What Is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer is cancer that begins in your colon or large bowel. Sometimes, colon cancer is referred to as colorectal cancer. This is because colon cancer and rectal cancer share many of the same features.
Colon cancer occurs when cells in your colon experience changes in their DNA. When this happens, cells can grow rapidly and out of control. In some cases, a tumor can grow.
Colon cancer cells can destroy nearby healthy tissues. They can also break away and spread to other organs and parts of the body.
How Common Is Colon Cancer in Men?
About 1 in 23 men will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer at some point in their life. In 2024, an estimated 54,210 men will be diagnosed with colon cancer.
When Should Men Start Getting Screened for Colon Cancer?
Many men can have their first colon cancer screening at the age of 45. Colon cancer screening is also known as a colonoscopy.
During this test, your doctor uses a long, thin tube with a video camera to view the inside of your colon. Then, your doctor collects a small sample of your tissue. Next, your tissue sample is sent to a lab where it is checked for colon cancer.
How Often Should Men Be Checked After The First Colonoscopy?
If you are in good health, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy every 10 years after your first screening. After you turn 75, your doctor will determine whether you need more tests based on your health status. Colon cancer screening is no longer recommended after you turn 85.
If you meet risk factors for colon cancer, your doctor may recommend being screened more often. Risk factors for colon cancer include:
- A personal history of colon cancer or polyps
- A family history of colon cancer
- A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
- A possible hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome
- Previous radiation treatment to the belly or pelvic area
Take Action: Raising Awareness for Colon Cancer Screening
Colon cancer screening is an important part of men’s health, especially if you meet the risk factors for colon cancer. If you have male friends and family over the age of 45, it may be a good idea to tell them about the importance of screening.
Here are some ways to take action and raise awareness about colonoscopies:
- Share risk factors of colon cancer with others.
- Tell your friends over the age of 45 to ask their doctors about colon cancer screening.
- Share facts about colon cancer on social media.
- Send e-cards to male friends and family to remind them about screening.
- Participate in a fundraiser for colon cancer research.
Jai Medical Systems can connect you with a men’s health provider today. Contact us at 1-888-524-1999 to learn more about our benefits and services.
Prenatal care and postpartum care are for women who are pregnant or who just gave birth. These health services offer many lasting benefits for you and your baby.
Here’s what these services are and how to contact JMS if you need help finding a provider.
What Is Prenatal Care?
Prenatal care is also known as prenatal wellness. It is the health care you receive during pregnancy. The main goal of prenatal care is to help you and your baby stay healthy.
Prenatal care appointments are held at least once a month. You meet with your doctor to talk about your pregnancy. You may also have checkups and tests. Tests can reveal whether you have a condition that requires treatment before your baby is born.
What Is Postpartum Care?
Postpartum care is also known as postpartum wellness. It is health care you receive for three to 12 weeks after your baby is born.
During these appointments, your doctor will check your physical and mental health. This is done to see how you are adjusting to life after having a baby. Your doctor will also examine your newborn.
What Do These Care Processes Look Like?
Here’s what to expect from prenatal and postnatal care.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal care starts the moment you learn you are pregnant up until the day you have your baby. Appointments are spaced about a month apart for the first six months. After that, appointments may be held once or twice a week.
Prenatal visits are an ideal time to mention any symptoms to your doctor. You may also undergo routine tests at every appointment, including:
- Screenings for diabetes and preeclampsia
- Blood pressure reading
- Weight check
- Abdominal measurements
- Fetal heart rate monitoring
These tests can help your doctor detect issues or problems early on. This allows you to have them treated before your baby arrives.
Postpartum Care
Postpartum care lasts up to 12 weeks. During postpartum visits, your doctor will weigh and examine your baby. They may check your newborn’s hearing and vision.
Topics that may come up during postpartum care include:
- Breastfeeding and formula-feeding
- Postnatal vitamins
- Diet and nutrition
- Vaginal bleeding
- Bowel movements
- Mood changes
- Sleeping patterns
- Birth control
- Exercise
Your doctor may also share tips on self-care and how to manage your maternal health during your early postpartum days.
What Are the Specific Benefits of Each?
Prenatal and postpartum care can reduce the risk of problems in you, your baby, and your family. This is one of the top benefits of these services.
Long-term benefits of prenatal care:
- Learn about your baby’s growth and development
- Treat chronic conditions early on
- Reduce the risk of illness and disease
- Learn more about pregnancy
Long-term benefits of postnatal care:
- Learn important tips about nursing and feeding
- Start using birth control
- Experience a healthy and fast recovery
- Reduce your risk of postpartum depression
- Learn more about newborn care
- Reduce your risk of hospital readmission
Prenatal and postnatal care can benefit everyone in the family—not just expectant mothers. These services can teach your partner and children about pregnancy and newborn care. Most importantly, they can protect your health and that of your baby and help you live a long, happy life with your loved ones.
Jai Medical Systems provides case management services to all pregnant members. Your case manager can help connect you with prenatal and postpartum providers. Your case manager can also connect you with individualized resources and programs to ensure you receive the best care possible during and after your pregnancy. Contact us at 1-888-524-1999 and ask to speak with an OB case manager today.
Nutrition plays an important role in overall health. Vitamins and other nutrients in healthy foods can boost energy, and good nutrition can also reduce your risk for heart disease and diabetes.
At Jai Medical Systems, we recognize the importance of nutrition. We encourage you to use this guide to improve the way you eat.
American Heart Month is observed every February. The goal of this observance is to raise awareness about the importance of having a healthy heart.
In honor of Heart Health Month, we are sharing important information about heart disease and tips that can increase your quality of life and lower your risk for heart disease.
The start of the new year brings a chance to set New Year’s resolutions. You can set up many health goals to help your body stay well all year round. Here are a few important goals to follow in 2024.
Every year, influenza (the flu) affects about three to 11% of Americans. This common illness is highly contagious. It can spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
Sometimes, the flu can be very severe and lead to death. Older adults are especially vulnerable to illnesses like the flu. However, getting the flu vaccine may prevent you from getting sick.
Diabetes affects an estimated 11.3% of the U.S. population. This chronic disease develops when your blood sugar levels are too high.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This year, take time to learn about diabetes signs and symptoms. Then, share this information with your loved ones so they can take steps to reduce their risk.
Low self-esteem affects about 85% of adults and teens around the world. Having low self-esteem can make you feel sad, angry, and depressed. It can also reduce your quality of life and increase your risk for mental health problems.
If you have low self-esteem, there are several ways to boost it naturally. Here’s more about the importance of self-esteem boosters and how they can improve your mental health.