I'm just a few years shy of 60 and I finally have a medical home. It took me years to get around to finding a practitioner that I can work with to stay as healthy as possible. For years I ran to urgent care whenever something popped up – the flu, bronchitis, a dreaded UTI. Now I have someone on my team that will track my health as it changes and (hopefully) improves.
This milestone came just in time. At my first appointment my blood pressure was elevated and frankly, it scared me. I tracked it for several weeks and reduced my sodium intake but it was clear to both me and my doctor that I needed to be on blood pressure medication. I've been taking it for several months now and it's working. I still have to track my progress to make sure it's the best medicine for me, but I am grateful to have discovered this problem before it did any permanent damage.
Going to the doctor for a full-blown check-up inspired me to take charge of my vaccinations, as well. I'm good about getting my annual flu and covid vaccines, but I've lapsed on my TDAP vaccine and have never been vaccinated against pneumonia, shingles and hepatitis. This is the year I take care of all of those inoculations, and anything else my doctor thinks I need.
I'm also tracking my daily medications, yoga practices, and walking expeditions. Everything gets tracked in a daily journal that keeps me accountable and on top of things.
Waiting to 58 to find a medical home for myself was a mistake. I was lucky I didn't wait any longer, but I should have taken better care of myself all along. If you haven't found your medical home, do it now.
And get your blood pressure checked as soon as possible.
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