The Bakersfield Voice
Staying Healthy: Don't forget your Annual PHA
Staying Healthy: Don't forget your Annual PHA
Topics: health, Fitness, wellness, annual check-up, diet, exercise, clinical preventive services, immunization, health counseling, PHA
Posted by NavyNurseT Fri Sep 5, 2008 00:35:25 PDT
Viewed 216 times
0 responses 0 comments
Staying Healthy: Don’t forget Your Annual PHA!
What comes to mind when someone says “Annual checkup” , “Health Promotion” , “Disease prevention” , or “Clinical Preventive Services”? Each of these relate HEALTH Care (as opposed to SICK care). Everyone should establish a “Medical Home” with a Primary Care Provider (PCP). The PCP is someone who knows the baseline of your health status when you’re NOT SICK. You can then see your own PCP if or WHEN you become ill, thus eliminating the long wait time and expen$e of an Urgent Care or Emergency Room visit.
Why? Because healthy people feel good! They live more satisfying lives and enjoy more activities. They are able to work, go to school, participate in their community, and enjoy their family. However, people are not just naturally healthy or healthy by accident! The goal is to BE HEALTHY by continuing your healthy lifestyle, finding out if you have a health problem in its earliest and most treatable stage, and by working with your PCP to become as healthy as you can be.
Getting Started: Being born healthy is a great start, but having ‘bad genes’ doesn’t eliminate the potential for a healthy life. “Personal health” is an individual choice, one that everyone makes, every single day. What we eat, what we do, how (and if) we exercise, and even our attitude influences our overall health and enjoyment of life. A relationship with a primary care provider (PCP); a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant is important to staying healthy. And getting a Periodic Health Assessment or PHA is a great way to evaluate how well you’re doing or to get back on the right track.
The Annual PHA: Everyone in the Military is required to complete an annual PHA. As a Nurse Practitioner in the Navy Reserve I am privileged to help Sailors complete this requirement during “drill weekend” each month. PHA’s are usually done during the Sailor’s birthday month so it is easy to track and remember. To help YOU get into “Ship Shape” and on the road to your own best health, I have listed the topics which are included in the PHA so you can talk with your own PCP about these things.
First things: Initially, your PHA will include a thorough health history including any allergies, chronic illnesses, hospitalizations and surgeries, family health history, occupational history and history of travel abroad.
Review of data: The next steps include evaluation of your vision, and a review of your previous medical record, current medications, dental health (yes, your MOUTH is very important for your general health & wellbeing), a review of your immunizations, previous lab, x-ray and pathology reports and vital signs. Pain is now considered the “5th vital sign” and should also be assessed. If anything stands out, then a focused physical exam should be done to more carefully evaluate your condition.
Clinical preventive services: Age and gender specific screening tests are used to find medical problems early. These include screening tests for blood pressure, body mass, colorectal cancer, cholesterol and male or female specific (you know what these are!) screening.
Immunization status: depending on your age, current health, chronic diseases and plans for international travel. Everyone should keep a written record of their immunizations. It is as important as your Birth Certificate or passport!
Patient-focused Counseling: This is an integral part of the PHA and is individually tailored to your specific health risk factors. Expect to discuss your fitness activities (type, frequency and duration), dietary habits, tobacco and alcohol use, exposure to hazards including chemicals, allergens, noise and personal safety; sexual health, your stress level and how you usually handle stress in your life.
The PHA includes a lot of information! But, think for a minute about your dream car. Would you wash & wax it? Change the oil regularly, and have everything serviced on schedule? Of course you would! But even if you take excellent care of it, your car will probably be replaced a several times during your lifetime. YOU however, are IRREPLACABLE! And only YOU can take care of yourself (eat, sleep, play, and work), so pay attention to what your body tells you (aches, pains, high blood pressure or cholesterol), get an oil change (check up & PHA) every year, and you’ll get a healthy LIFETIME of wonderful service from the only body you’ll ever have!
To your health!!
LT Teresa L. McFarland
More information about disease prevention and the PHA is available from http://www-nehc.med.navy.mi...
| Send to a Friend | Report a Violation |
|
|