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Preventive Care

As Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” While Franklin was talking about fire safety, this phrase also applies to your health. As a board-certified internist, Dr. Asha Thomas focuses her practice on improving and protecting your health with preventive care at Westbrook Wellness Internal Medicine in Westchester, Illinois.

Proactive Health Protection

Preventive care focuses on identifying risks early and maintaining long-term wellness. We emphasize regular screenings, routine checkups, and personalized health guidance. Our goal is to help you prevent illness, manage risks, and stay healthy at every stage of life.

All Your Questions Answered

What is preventive care?

Preventive care is the practice of monitoring your health and implementing healthy lifestyle habits to decrease your risk of grave illness or disease. Your annual physical is the cornerstone of preventive care, as this is your opportunity to check in on your health and have the tests and screenings that can reveal illness before you start to experience symptoms. In addition to routine screenings for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, Dr. Thomas also offers medical screenings for different kinds of cancer, osteoporosis, and full blood panels. She also provides immunizations as needed to protect your health. Dr. Thomas also provides advice on lifestyle changes you can make to improve your health during your annual physical. If there is an area of your life you’re struggling to change, whether it’s losing weight, quitting smoking, or any other habit, she offers treatments and support to help you make a positive impact.
Preventive care is essential for many reasons. First, health screenings are often the only way to diagnose health conditions in their early stages. Diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, STDs, and many other chronic conditions don’t cause noticeable symptoms in their earlier, and typically more treatable, stages. Preventive care also gives you the tools to lead a healthy and active life, which reduces your risk of developing many major illnesses. For example, did you know obesity increases your risk of serious diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis? Simple lifestyle habits like maintaining healthy body weight, eating a balanced and nutritious diet, and exercising moderately for 30 minutes a day can help you stay healthy for a long time.
Preventive care doesn’t necessarily stop you from getting sick because your genetics and family history contribute to your risk for specific conditions. However, by taking care of yourself and having routine screenings, you can both reduce your harmful habits and environmental factors and get early diagnosis and treatment before a condition becomes dangerous.