Have you called your (medical) home lately?

As a family care physician,many of the patients I see each day are already sick with conditions that could have been avoided.We have also heard stories about serious health conditions that were unexpectedly discovered during routine doctor visits. Committing to consistent preventative care, from well visits and immunizations to diabetes and cancer screenings, can literally save lives.

A key component to this process is the establishment of a“medical home,”a consistent, long-term relationship with a family (sometimes called primary care) physician who helps to manage the overall holistic health of patients throughout their lives. Family physicians are specialty trained in several areas of healthcare? internal medicine, senior care, pediatric and adolescent care, women’s health, prenatal and mental health.They also specialize in the management of chronic diseases, such as hypertension or diabetes, even in conjunction with other existing medical conditions.

From infants to seniors,an annual visit with your doctor is absolutely essential. If you are living with a chronic health condition, more frequent appointments may be necessary. During these examinations, you should discuss your overall wellness strategy with your doctor.Also, keep those appointments for lab work (blood and urine), mammograms, pap smears, and other screenings, determined by your age and medical history.At age 50,you will need additional screenings and periodic testing.

A common concern I hear from patients is their hesitancy to undergo annual exams and screenings for fear the results will bring bad news.My argument is to remind them there has been no time in our history when we have been more prepared to fight back against disease.The latest advancements in technology, medication, and minimally invasive surgery have equipped us to diagnose and successfully treat many medical conditions early on, before they become more serious and difficult to treat.

If you and your family members already have an ongoing relationship with a family physician,you are half way home. If not, you can find a physician that is affiliated with CentraState Medical Center by calling 866-CENTRA7 or visiting centrastate. com/primarycare. You also can ask friends and colleagues for a referral.Then make an appointment to meet with that doctor and discuss your health concerns. If you have not already done so,now is a great time to squeeze in your annual well visit or screening appointments.Then you can rest assured you will enjoy the upcoming holiday season in good health.

Dr.Feingold is a board certified family care physician on staff at CentraState Medical Center and consulting physician at the CentraState Diabetic Education Program.Dr.Feingold can be reached at 732-536-8008 or MarcFeingoldMD.com.