Preventive Medicine

Preventive medicine significantly reduces your risk of acute and chronic health problems. Routine checkups, blood work, and preventive screenings can preserve your well-being and help you live a long, active life. At 2nd Kings Integrative Health in Homestead, Iowa, advanced registered nurse practitioner Nichole Caroll, ARNP, combines functional and integrative medicine to optimize patient health. Focusing on healthy lifestyle changes like nutrition and exercise results in excellent treatment outcomes. Call 2nd Kings Integrative Health today to schedule a preventive medicine checkup or book your appointment online.

What makes preventive medicine unique?

Preventive medicine is unique in that it tries to prevent health problems before they occur. Traditional Western medicine tends to be reactive; if you get sick, you go to the doctor. But what if you could reduce your risk of illness altogether?

That’s what preventive medicine tries to do. It combines functional and integrative medicine to achieve optimal well-being. Specifically, it uses routine checkups and healthy lifestyle changes to optimize your health and reduce the risk of common, age-related problems.

What does preventive medicine involve?

2nd Kings Integrative Health offers various preventive medicine services, including:

Annual exams

Annual exams, or physicals, present an opportunity to check in on your physical and mental health. It’s important to schedule one annually, even if you feel healthy. Since many health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, develop slowly, regular checkups provide peace of mind. 

Immunizations 

Immunizations, or vaccines, teach your immune system how to identify and destroy invaders like viruses and bacteria. The type of immunizations you need depends on your age, general health, and lifestyle. 

Sex-specific preventive screenings

Everyone has unique health needs based on their reproductive organs. 2nd Kings Integrative Health provides sex-specific preventive screenings to men and women, including Pap smears, breast exams, and prostate and testicular exams. 

Lab work

Lab work analyzes bodily fluids, such as blood, urine, and saliva, to gain insights into your health. These tests allow your provider to identify underlying health problems, such as hormone imbalances and vitamin and nutritional deficiencies. 

IV therapy

Intravenous (IV) therapy administers vital nutrients into your bloodstream. It’s typically used to treat specific health problems but can also improve general health. For example, the Myers’ solution boosts immunity and promotes general well-being. 

Specialist referrals 

2nd Kings Integrative Health provides most preventive health services onsite, but if you need more intensive care, they can refer you to medical specialists nearby. For instance, you might need to visit an imaging facility if it’s time to schedule a mammogram. 

What are the benefits of preventive medicine?

Preventive medicine at 2nd Kings Integrative Health offers various benefits, including:

• Reduced risk of chronic health problems
• Better sleep
• Improved nutrition
• Improved mood and outlook
• More energy

Combined, these factors allow for a healthier and more active lifestyle. They can even alert you to potential health problems early in their development when they respond best to treatment. 

Call 2nd Kings Integrative Health today to schedule a preventive medicine visit, or book your appointment online.