Prevention is about staying healthy and preventing disease.
At Salem Township Hospital, we provide preventive care services to help you stay well. Following recommended screening and immunization guidelines can help you plan your care.
No one can avoid growing older, but you can take steps to extend your health and promote your well-being. Learn which small changes to your daily habits can help bring about big improvements in your health and quality of life.
Prevention is about staying healthy and preventing disease.
At Salem Township Hospital, we provide preventive care services to help you stay well. Following recommended screening and immunization guidelines can help you plan your care.
No one can avoid growing older, but you can take steps to extend your health and promote your well-being. Learn which small changes to your daily habits can help bring about big improvements in your health and quality of life.
Healthy eating habits can go a long way toward keeping your body running clean. Consider the tips below as you make decisions about which foods to eat.
Nourish your mind and body with a healthy diet. Read food labels and limit processed foods and foods high in sugar.
Increase fiber by eating beans and whole-grain cereals. A high-fiber diet reduces your risk of getting many cancers.
Make sure you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D, which helps you to absorb calcium.
If you are a woman of childbearing age, take a multivitamin with 0.4 milligrams (400 micrograms) of folic acid daily.
Learn all about eating well by scheduling a visit with our Registered Dietician. Call us for more information.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise
Daily movement enhances your health. The good news is, even everyday activities count toward your fitness goals.
Try to be physically active for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) of more vigorous activities. Aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility are key components of total fitness.
Create opportunities for your child to play actively for at least 60 minutes every day. Walk, run, and play with your child whenever possible.
Make sure your kids wear helmets and protective padding for recreational activities such as biking, skating, skiing, snowboarding, and riding a horse. Kids who play sports should wear gear appropriate to their activity or player position.
Talk to your physician before starting a vigorous exercise program.
Alcohol and Drugs
Avoid using drugs and abusing alcohol. If you use alcohol, do so moderately.
Do not drive after drinking or using drugs. If you drink alcohol, always have a designated driver.
If substance abuse is causing problems for you or others, we can help. Talk with your healthcare provider about resources for alcohol or drug problems.
Tobacco Use
Being tobacco-free is one of the best things you can do to protect your health.
If you smoke, talk with your physician about resources to help you quit.
Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
Don't smoke or allow anyone to smoke around your child.
Dental Care
Aside from keeping your smile bright, good dental habits help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Floss daily and brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste.
Visit your dentist regularly.
Skin Care
Avoid excessive sun exposure and protect your skin and eyes from the sun. Long-sleeved shirts, hats, and sunscreen can all reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 every day to help prevent skin cancer.
Emotional Health
We believe your well-being includes a healthy mind and spirit. Follow the tips below to maintain your emotional balance.
If you feel anxious or depressed, if you're thinking about suicide, or if someone is hurting you (or threatening to hurt you) emotionally or physically, talk to your physician or practitioner — or another person you can trust — for help.
Take steps to manage your stress.
Remember that loneliness and isolation increase your risk of illness. Spend time with your friends and family and participate in activities that interest you.
To support their emotional health, children and teenagers should eat right and get plenty of sleep. If you think they might be depressed, thinking of suicide, or are being hurt by someone, encourage them to talk to you, their physician, or another adult they can trust.
Safety
No one wants to end up in an emergency room. You can take steps to prevent accidental injuries.
Wear your seatbelt for every car ride.
Use helmets and safety gear when riding a bicycle or motorcycle.
Put medicines out of reach.
Keep the Poison Control Center toll-free telephone number (1-800-222-1222) near the phone.
Install smoke detectors and change the batteries regularly.
Lock up guns and keep ammunition in a separate place.
Set water heater temperature to between 120 degrees and 130 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent burns.
Avoid climbing ladders if you have trouble walking or keeping your balance.
Violence
If you are being abused, hurt, or threatened, talk with your doctor or another person you can trust.
Safety On the Go
Make sure your children ride in the back seat of the car, which is safer than the front if you are in an accident. Use safety seats and seat belts.
Don’t text or talk on the phone while driving. Be an example for your children and pull over to a safe place if you need to use your phone.
