Category: Preventive Care

screenings
Feb 21 2023

Ask your healthcare provider these questions about your preventive care screenings

Preventive Care

Preventive care and screenings are some of the most powerful, proactive tools you have to help you stay healthy and catch health problems early. The screenings you need will vary based on several factors—your age, gender, and personal and family health history. These resources outline the range of recommended screenings for men (https://sunlife.co/med64, https://sunlife.co/med65, and... Read More

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health strategy
Jul 26 2022

In your 20s? Why you need a health strategy

Preventive Care  •  By Miles Varn, MD

A lot of younger people think preventive care and building a healthy strategy isn’t needed when you’re young and healthy. In fact, the number of people in their 20s who have a primary care doctor has dropped significantly. A Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll found that among people between the ages of 18 and 29,... Read More

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Heartland virus
May 16 2022

What you should know about the tick-borne Heartland virus

Preventive Care  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Spring and summer mean you’ll be spending more time enjoying the outdoors. Activities like gardening, hiking, camping, and taking the dog for a walk in the park are great ways to get some exercise and manage stress. But there are some potential health risks that come with spending more time outside. The number of cases... Read More

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immunizations
Jan 4 2022

Are you up to date on all your immunizations?

Preventive Care  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Getting the full series of COVID-19 vaccines is an important way to both protect your health and the health of your community. But are you keeping current with the other adult immunizations that are appropriate for you? To find out which immunizations are recommended, talk with your primary care provider. Your provider can tell you... Read More

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COVID anxiety
Oct 5 2021

Improved mental health: Another reason to get a COVID-19 vaccine

Preventive Care  •  By Miles Varn, MD

As you would expect, the COVID-19 pandemic increased symptoms of anxiety and depression in people of all ages. Not only were people concerned about themselves or the people they care about getting seriously ill with the virus, they also faced increased social isolation during stay at home orders, loss of jobs, financial hardships, and the... Read More

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preventive care
Jun 29 2021

Answers to common questions about preventive care

Preventive Care  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Preventive care is the foundation of a strategy to help lower your risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes and mange risk factors for diseases like cancer. The goal is to help preserve your health, manage any health issues you’ve been diagnosed with, and detect serious diseases like cancer as early as possible... Read More

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cancer
Jun 15 2021

A pause in screenings may increase number of missed cancer diagnoses

Preventive Care  •  By Miles Varn, MD

When the COVID-19 pandemic reached the U.S. last year, most hospitals and physician’s offices paused elective and preventive care services to focus on the influx of COVID patients and to reduce the risk of patients being exposed to the virus. Cancer screenings were one of the types of services that were paused. In 2020, this... Read More

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exercise routine
Sep 15 2020

Six Tips for Getting Back into Your Exercise Routine Safely

Preventive Care  •  By Miles Varn, MD

With gyms, health clubs, and fitness classes closed for months, the COVID-19 pandemic may have significantly disrupted your exercise routine. Getting active again is not only good for your physical health, it’s also important for your mental health and can help you manage the symptoms of depression and anxiety, which a growing number of people... Read More

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preventive care
Aug 18 2020

Preventive care: Should you skip checkups during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Preventive Care  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Depending on where you live and whether cases of COVID-19 are rising, stable, or falling, you may get a reminder from your doctor and dentist that you’re due for a preventive care appointment or a recommended cancer screening. Even in areas of the country where the number of new COVID-19 cases are staying about the... Read More

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doctor's visit
Apr 14 2020

How to get the most out of your doctor’s visit

Preventive Care  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Your annual doctor’s visit and checkup is a good opportunity to be an active partner in your care. Rather than simply sitting through your weigh-in, blood pressure check, and flu shot, now is the time to be proactive and ask your doctor key questions that can help you build a health and wellness strategy. If... Read More

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