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Patient Information

Guidelines for Good Health

South Shore Medical Center and Atrius Health believe that good health comes from a partnership between patient and provider. Doctors cannot keep you healthy without your active involvement. Every day you make choices that impact your health. As physicians, we can help you treat illness. We have an equal, if not greater, obligation to help you make the right choices to maintain good health and prevent illness. Here are some steps you can take to make the right choices both in lifestyle and preventive care.

Diet

• Watch portions to maintain a healthy weight. (Ask your physician about your Body Mass Index.)
  
• Limit fats (particularly saturated fats) and highly salted food.
  
• Eat six to nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Exercise

• 30 minutes of moderate exercise 3 to 5 times a week. It will help maintain your weight, improve energy and strengthen bones.

Smoking

• It’s never too late to quit, but even better to never start.

Alcohol

• Moderation, 3 to 5 drinks per week maximum
  
• Never use if driving, swimming, boating or operating machinery.

Stress

• Learn relaxation techniques or seek help if you feel unable to deal with your stress.
  

Safety Counts

• Wear your seat belt at all times.
  
• Wear a helmet when riding a bike, ATV, motorcycle, rollerblades or skateboard.
  
• Check your home smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly.
• If you have a gun, lock it safely or remove it from the house.
  
• Protect your back when lifting.
  
• Practice safe sex; use a condom.
  
• Set your water heater between 120° and 130° F.
  
• Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
  
• Seek nonviolent ways to resolve conflicts.
  
• Wash your hands several times a day.
  

Avoid Prolonged Sun Exposure

• Use sunscreen and apply 30 minutes before sun exposure and wear protective clothing.
  

Think Immunization

• Get a tetanus booster every 10 years with pertussis (whooping cough) booster once as an adult.
  
• We recommend the pneumonia vaccination if you have asthma, diabetes or if you are over 65 years of age. Talk to your doctor about these and other indications for this vaccine.
  
• Consider an annual flu shot, especially if you have asthma, diabetes or if you are over 65 years of age.
  
• If you might be exposed to Hepatitis A or B, you are a candidate for vaccination.
• If you are over 60, talk to your doctor about the “shingles vaccine.”
  

Let Your Doctor Know If...

• You are concerned that someone might hurt you at home or elsewhere
  
• You feel sad, depressed or have lost interest in things you used to enjoy
  
• You have exposure to anyone who uses illegal intravenous drugs or has hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS or other infectious disease
  
• You notice any skin lesions that change size, shape or color
  
• You have any other health concerns
  

Establish a Health Care Proxy

• If you were the victim of a sudden and catastrophic illness that prevented you from stating your health care wishes, this form indicates who you want to make decisions regarding your treatments. We can provide the forms you need to fill out. Legal counsel is not necessary.
  

Things That Aren’t Needed on a Routine Basis

• Chest X-rays
  
• Yearly EKG
  
• Routine stress test
  

Pediatric Well Child Visits

Birth to Age 2

• 2 week
  
• 2 months
  
• 4 months
  
• 6 months
  
• 9 months
  
• 12 months
  
• 15 months
  
• 18 months
  
• 2 year
  

Ages 2-18

• Every year unless otherwise instructed by PCP

Reminder: Every child who plays sports will need a yearly physical.

Men and Women

Ages 18-50

If your health is good, get a checkup...

• Before 40, every 2 to 5 years
  
• 40-50 years old, every 1 to 2 years
  
• Over 50 years, every year
  

Men and Women

Ages 50 and Beyond

• Blood pressure check at every visit
  
• Colorectal Cancer screening preferably with colonoscopy
  
• Annual physical exam and flu shot
  
• Exercise and take a daily multivitamin
  
• Regular dental and eye exams
  
• Prevent falls if mobility is impaired – remove scatter rugs, install handrails/grab bars and use a cane or other assistive device if needed

Women

Ages 18-50

• Breast cancer screening
  
  Physician exam every 3 years, ages 20-39, every 2 years ages 40-50, then annually
  
  Mammogram every year starting at age 40
• Cervical cancer screening
  
  Annual Pap smear 3 years after beginning sexual activity, but no later than age 21, until age 30
  
  Pap smear and HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) testing every 3 years, over age 30, as long as both cytology and HPV results are negative
  
• Always practice safe sex; use a condom
  
• Sexually transmitted diseases screening
  
  Chlamydia screening for sexually active females under the age of 25 or any other women at risk
  
  Talk with your doctor about HIV testing.
• If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant...
  
  Start folic acid supplement
  
  Stop smoking and drinking alcohol
• Exercise regularly and get 1200-1500 mg calcium daily to build and keep bones strong.
• Talk to your doctor (if you are under 26) about vaccination to protect against HPV infection.
  

Women

Ages 50 and Beyond

• Breast Cancer Screening
  
  Annual physician breast exam and mammogram
  
• Cervical cancer screening — Pap smear and HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) screening every three years until age 70
  
• Calcium and Vitamin D — 1500 mg of calcium and 800 IU of Vitamin D every day
  •  Baseline bone densitometry at age 65
  

Men

Ages 18-50

• Monthly testicular self-exams. Report any lumps even if not painful.
  
• Always practice safe sex; use a condom.
  

Ages 50 and Beyond

• Prostate Cancer Screening: Discuss your risk factors for prostate cancer to decide if you need a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
  
• Talk to your doctor about taking an aspirin a day to prevent heart attack and stroke.
  

Ask Me 3 Program

Developed by the Partnership for Clear Health Communication.

To ensure you are receiving the best care available, it is important for you to take an active role in your own health care. You are encouraged to ask the following three questions:

1. What is my main problem?
2. What do I need to do?
   
3. Why is it important for me to do this?

By understanding your health issues and treatment plans, people make fewer mistakes when taking medications or preparing for medical procedures. They may also heal faster and be better able to manage a chronic condition.

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