Mike Peterson of Suntree Pharmacy expresses the importance of screenings and certain medicines to assist in disease prevention and control

“Many of the top risk factors leading to illness and death are preventable,” says Mike Peterson, manager of Suntree Pharmacy. “To a great degree, it is within each of our abilities to adhere to preventative medicine, defined by controlling communicable diseases, illnesses and exposure to endemic, occupational and environmental threats through anticipation, communication, prediction, identification, prevention and risk assessment.”

According to Peterson, many medical professionals have identified the following as the top-10 preventative services.

  • Daily Aspirin use. Individuals at moderate to high risk should talk to their doctors to weigh the benefits of reducing cardiovascular disease with the risk of bleeding and ulcers.
  • Childhood immunization. Immunizing children against hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, haemophilus influenza type B, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, and pneumonia.
  • Smoking cessation. Aside from the self-evident harmful effects, smoking results in over $100 billion annually in medical expenses.
  • Screening for alcohol misuse. Violence, accidents, injuries, disabilities, deaths, social disruption and health problems are commonly associated with alcohol abuse.
  • Colorectal cancer screening. As the third-highest incident cancer in the U.S., colon cancer is responsible for 55,000 deaths annually. Nineteen-thousand of those could be prevented if people over the age of 50 received annual colonoscopies.
  • Hypertension screening. Routine blood-pressure measurement would lower the cardiovascular disease incidences that occur in the 30 percent of Americans who have hypertension.
  • Influenza immunization. Adults over 50 should definitely get an annual flu shot which would help decrease the 35,000 deaths that occur in the U.S. every year.
  • Vision screening. Vision correction can help reduce falls and accidents, help with proper medication use, increase ability to exercise and improve quality of life.
  • Cervical cancer screening. PAP smears are largely responsible for the 50 percent decline in cervical cancer mortality in the last 30 years.
  • Cholesterol screening. Using lipid-lowering drugs helps to prevent cardiovascular disease incidences.

Studies suggest that if Americans used any five above-mentioned preventative services, 100,000 lives per year would be saved.

WORKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR
When was the last time you saw a doctor? Do you see your primary care physician regularly?

“You have a better chance of lowering your risk of becoming a statistic if you work with your doctor on a comprehensive preventative care program,” says Peterson. “Screenings that consider your family history, age and gender will help your doctor spot issues, and early detection offers the chance for a better outcome for you, as well as lower health care costs.”

Even if you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or other medical problems, there are ways to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

Of course, proper exercise in order to maintain a healthy weight and quality nutrition are important, and significantly lessen the chance of illness and premature death. When further assistance is needed, sound science has produced many medicines that can help.

Peterson identifies the following medicines to assist in disease control:

  • For smoking cessation: Nicorette and Chantix
  • For diabetes management: Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet, Prandin, Starlix, Diabinese, Amaryl, Glucotrol, Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase, Tolinase, Orinase, Actos, Avandia, Precose, Glyset, Januvia, Onglyza, Gluconase, Actoplus Met, Avandaryl, Avandamet, Janumet, Humalog, Novolog, Lantus, Byetta and Symlin
  • For hypertension control: Captopril, Lisinopril, Ramipril, Losartan, Olmesartan, Valsartan, Metoprolol, Nadolol, Amlodipine, Diltiazem, and Nifedipine
  • For battling colon and/or rectal cancer: Adrucil, Avastin, Bevacizumab, Camptosar, Capecitabine, Cetuximab, Efudex, Eloxatin, Erbitux, Fluoroplex, Fluorouracil, Irinotecan Hydrochloride, Leucovorin Calcium, Oxaliplatin, Panitumumab, Regorafenib, Stivarga, Vectibix, Wellcovorin, Xeloda, Zaltrap and Ziv-Aflibercept
  • For prevention of cervical cancer: Cervarix, Gardasil, Recombinant Human Papillomavirus Bivalent Vaccine and Recombinant Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent Vaccine
  • For battling cervical cancer: Blenoxane, Bleomycin, Cisplatin, Hycamtin, Platinol, Platinol-AQ and Topotecan Hydrochloride
  • For keeping cholesterol low: Atorvastatin, Lovastatin, Pravastatin, Simvastatin, Fluvastatin, Atorvastatin with Amlodipine, Lovastatin with Niacin, Simvastatin with Ezetimibe and Simvastatin with Niacin

“Traditional medicines don’t alone address all issues,” warns Peterson. “Anti-aging medicine is a key component of a complete approach to preventative care. Amongst other things, vitamins, supplements and hormone-replacement therapy also address health concerns before they become significant challenges.”

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, like BalAge Rx, which is available at Suntree Pharmacy, is effective for stemming the tide against osteoporosis, abdominal swelling, brain fog, breast tenderness, fatigue, hair loss, hot flashes, impaired immune system, increased anxiety, loss of libido, memory loss, mood changes, muscle weakness, sexual dysfunction, skin aging, sleep disturbances, urine incontinence, vaginal dryness and weight gain.

“So many external and internal forces challenge our ability to lead healthy lives. Some of them are out of our control, but others, with just a little vigilant diligence, can be reduced to mole hills instead of seemingly insurmountable mountains,” says Peterson.

“The key is to take advantage of the resources that help to fortify against a health disaster,” he continues. “Suntree Pharmacy, Suntree Medical Equipment and BalAge Rx look forward to an opportunity to build a relationship with you and become a part of your circle of care.”

For more information on Suntree Pharmacy, Suntree Medical Equipment and BalAge Rx, call (321) 253-3535, or visit Suntree Pharmacy.com.