Important health reminders

Immunizations

Immunizations (shots) aren’t just for children. Adults should also get shots to help avoid getting and spreading serious diseases. Ask your doctor if you and your children need these shots.

• Influenza helps protect against the flu, which can be serious for those with a chronic illness or for young children.
• Hepatitis B protects against a liver disease that could be deadly.
• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
• Pneumococcal protects against pneumococcal pneumonia, a lung infection that can be fatal.
• Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster protects against diphtheria, a bacterial infection that can be fatal; lockjaw, a jaw disorder; and whooping cough.
• Varicella protects against chickenpox, which can be fatal in adults.

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Depression

Many adults and children have depression. Low self-esteem, job loss, medical conditions, divorce and moving can cause depression. Call our Behavioral Health department at 800 673-8043 for help or a referral to a behavioral health specialist. Your call will be private.

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Diabetes

Diabetes is the sixth-leading cause of death among Michigan men and women. If you have diabetes, it’s important to keep your A1c level at less than 7%. That will help you avoid problems like diabetic retinopathy (eye disease), kidney disease, nerve damage and heart disease. You should have your A1c checked at least every six months.

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Lead poisoning

Lead is a poison. It can cause learning, hearing and behavioral problems. It’s found in lead-based paint on toys, furniture and old houses. Lead paint is a danger if it is peeling or cracked, or on surfaces children chew. Lead dust is often spread from hand to mouth in children. Kids with lead poisoning may not look or act sick. The only way to know for sure is to get tested. Ask your doctor to test your child at 6, 12 and 24 months. Test once a year for kids ages 3 - 6.

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Nutrition

It’s important to make good food choices and to eat the right portion sizes all of your life.

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Weight management

Ask your doctor to check your body mass index (BMI) to find out if you have a healthy weight for your height. If you’re overweight, your doctor can help you make healthy lifestyle changes. Regular exercise (like walking 30 minutes a day) is one of the best ways to lose weight.

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Tobacco cessation (quit smoking)

Smoking is the #1 preventable cause of death and disease in the U.S. Secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in children and in adults who don’t smoke. Check out our wide variety of information and resources to help you quit.

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Upper respiratory infections (colds)

Many adults and children get colds in the fall and winter. These are viral infections with severe cold–like symptoms. It doesn’t help to take antibiotics when you have a cold. To prevent colds, wash your hands often and keep your hands away from your face. Be sure you cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the crease of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.

Health resources for you

Visit priorityhealth.com and click on “Health & Wellness.” You’ll find many tools to help you check your health. It also has health condition centers with detailed information about many health issues.

Topics: Preventive care, Depression, Diabetes, Nutrition