Most of us have experienced the check engine light coming on in our vehicle signaling us that we should check our car out and most times we are able to take it to a mechanic and have the problem resolved. Unfortunately, we do not have a check engine light in our bodies and cannot always feel or see what is going on within which could be leading to a physical breakdown of our health.
For example, high blood pressure is referred to as “The Silent Killer” because sometimes no one can feel the effects until it is too late–heart attacks and strokes are the end sign of uncontrolled high blood pressure.
As a medical provider, I have diagnosed many patients with prediabetes and have helped prevent them from becoming diabetic with simple steps of diet, exercise, and losing weight. Most likely, those individuals would have lived life without knowing and later would have been diagnosed with diabetes, but they took the step of prevention. Prevention is having the ability to stop something from happening. We can take control of our own health and prevent the worst from happening and it only takes you to take the initiative for yourself.
We are individually responsible for our own health, and no one can care for you as much as you care for yourself. When was your last check-up? Take control of your health today, schedule a checkup appointment, and do not be your worst enemy–don’t let it be too late.
Dimas Cortez, MSN, FNP-C
Berks Health Community Center