We believe that good health is not an accident. Prevention is vital to maintaining a long, healthy life. Below are some guidelines we recommend our adult patients follow. Keep in mind that because each person is different these guidelines may need to be individualized for you.
General physical examination with lab work and review of risk factors
Ages 18- 39: every 2-3 years
Ages 40-49: every 1-2 years
Age 50 and older: every year
EKG (electrocardiogram)
Beginning at age 40, then every 4-5 years
Colonoscopy
Begin at age 50, frequency is based on findings
Begin sooner if a family history of colon polyps or colon cancer
Eye exam and Glaucoma check
Begin at age 40, then every 2 years
Skin self-exam
All adults: each month
Recommended Vaccines
Tetanus (to prevent lockjaw from dirt wounds)
A single booster with pertussis (whooping cough) 5 years from last tetanus booster, then every 10 years
Pneumovax (to prevent the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia)
A single dose recommended for all people over 65
Certain people need an earlier dose (smokers, diabetics, those for asthma or heart disease, etc.)
Zostavax (to prevent shingles)
A single dose recommended for all people over age 60
Influenza (flu shot)
Recommend each year for all adults but especially for those with diabetes, lung problems, heart problems and those over age 50
Hepatitis A (to prevent acute hepatitis)
Two doses recommended for people travelling to areas with higher rates of hepatitis A, people with liver disease, people who use illegal drugs, men who have sex with men
Hepatitis B (to prevent a chronic form of hepatitis)
Three doses recommended healthcare personnel, IV drug users, people with multiple sex partners, men who have sex with men
HPV vaccine (to prevent cervical cancer)
Three doses recommended for all females between the ages of 11-26, younger is better
Helpful Links
- American Medical Association - Adolescent Health
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- CancerNet – provides information on various types of cancer, treatment options, the latest clinical trials, medical journal articles, support groups, and other resources
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention – provides health news, data, and statistics
- Drug & Alcohol Services Information System - find a substance abuse treatment facility.
- Clinical Trials – provides information on current clinical research studies to the public
- Drug Infonet – provides a range of valuable and clearly organized health information
- KidsGrowth Child Health – developed by pediatricians, provides health, safety and child care tips
- Healthfinder – provides basic self-care information, health news, and links to health-related sites
- Johns Hopkins Medicine
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Health
- National Institutes of Health
- OncoLink – offers cancer-related news, education, treatment options, clinical trials, and other resources for cancer patients and physicians
- Quackwatch – your guide to health fraud, quackery, and intelligent decisions
- SafeMedication – provides consumers with drug information, including why a specific drug is prescribed, how it should be administered, potential side effects, etc.
The medical information provided on this Web site is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for a consultation with a physician. None of the websites listed are monitored or reviewed nor is any of the content on such websites checked for accuracy by Richardson Physician Alliance, Methodist Health System, or Methodist Richardson Medical Center.
