LEVELS OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE By George Mathew MD

Introduction As the owner of Pacific Family & Internal Medicine in

Sequim, Washington, George Mathew, MD, builds on more than two decades of professional experience. George Mathew, MD, started this practice in 2013 and, since that time, has provided comprehensive preventive and treatment care.

The medical profession divides preventive care into three distinct levels. The first, primary prevention, attempts to prevent injury or disease by reducing risks and implementing protective measures. For the patient in a primary care office, this may include routine immunizations and physical exams and lifestyle education.

Preventive Medicine Secondary prevention involves the

identification of risk factors to a patient's health and the subsequent implementation of measures for halting disease progression. Secondary preventive measures may include early screening tests, such as mammograms or cholesterol tests, which can identify signs of a potential or early-stage disease. When performed in time, such diagnoses can lead to interventions that restore optimal health and/or prevent long-term or serious illness.

Conclusion Finally, tertiary prevention exists as a way of

maximizing quality of life and minimizing the impact of an existing condition. A patient who has had a heart attack, for example, may enter a tertiary prevention program that combines rehabilitation with measures to minimize the risk of further heart attacks. Meanwhile, patients with chronic disease may participate in support groups to learn healthy living and management techniques, while those with chronically reduced levels of functioning may receive training that helps them live and work safely.