Preventive Medicine

January 4, 2011 11:20 AM

Hello, I am healthy women of 58. I have no major problem and do everything I can to stay healthy. I am interested in finding someone who could help me establish a baseline while I am healthy and help me correct things that could be better. I am frustrated by the incredible amount of corrective medicine available but the lack of preventive medicine for someone my age. Any suggestion for any medicine field that may address this issue? Thank you
posted by grenouille to health & fitness (5 answers total)

My primary care doc, who I loved to death, became an MDVIP a couple years ago. His explanation about why he was doing it was about what you said. According to him, going this route (where I would have paid $2000/year to be his patient, which included a very extensive physical to establish a baseline, and plans for improvement, and then regular check ups, plus sick care if necessary and coordination of other doctors if required, all with charges to the insurance company after the initial payment), allowed him to help focus on keeping his paitients from getting sick, and to help people catch serious issues early. If I was 50, I think it would have been worth every single penny of the money. so, that's something to consider. He was an internist, and tried to act in such a fashion anyway, but was constrained by time/money/insurance, I guess, from doing it as well as he wanted. So if you don't want to get yourself involved with that kind of cash, perhaps try an internist; and perhaps a DO internist if possible.
posted by dpx.mfx at 11:27 AM on January 4, 2011 [1 favorite]

Do you have any particular areas of concern? There's a lot of recent research about the importance of fitness and activity to maintaining health as one ages, so one option might be to contact a nutritionist and/or a personal trainer to optimize your diet and your exercise levels.
posted by Bardolph at 11:27 AM on January 4, 2011

Studies have shown that exercise can protect against and reverse mental degeneration as well as help with muscle mass. Lots of fruit, vegetables, and herbs will help at any age (sage and lemon balm will help with memory issues). Keeping your mind active will also keep it strong. Maybe you should tell us your diet, exercise, and daily living plans so that we may give you suggestions for improvement?
posted by 200burritos at 11:27 AM on January 4, 2011 [1 favorite]

Start by finding a great general practitioner. Someone who's interested in women's health--who evaluates you in depth and listens to the answers you give.

My doctor has a checklist and haunts me about every single thing. Mammograms, eyes, you name it. I'm on all kinds of stuff just because he's so thorough. Lately--he's on me about Vitamin D. I think there's something to it because I honestly feel better since he put me on 50,000 iu program.
posted by AuntieRuth at 11:28 AM on January 4, 2011

A good primary care doctor will do this for you during your physicals. Internists can provide primary care, as can family doctors, nurse practitioners, and sometimes OB/GYNs.

Some docs have nutritionists on staff. Might be something to look for.
posted by the young rope-rider at 11:53 AM on January 4, 2011