Health and wellness are important for everyone, but are even more important for someone with a disability. During rehab, you focused on your injury and on going home. Now, in order to live a healthy life, you must also focus on the health of your whole body.
Be sure to have a physical exam yearly. During the exam, the doctor should check your whole body, including cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and weight, and screen for common cancers including colon, prostate and testicular cancer for men, and breast and cervical cancer for women. The doctor should also discuss your diet and exercise habits.
Your doctor may also check for substance abuse problems. He/she may ask you about smoking, drinking or drug use.
It is also important to see your dentist and eye doctor regularly, especially if you wear glasses or contact lenses.
This section will help you learn about general health care and when to have health exams.
Below you'll find links to a number of online resources that relate to health and wellness:
- www.healthfinder.gov
- www.health.gov/healthypeople/BeHealthy
- www.cdc.gov/travel/
- www.cdc.gov/features/disabilities/
- www.healthcentral.com
- www.mayoclinic.com/
Resources:
- Annual Health Needs- Women
- Annual Health Needs- Men
- Wellness
- Substance Use
