You have a pain in your chest.
Are you suffering from:
a. Heart attack?
b. Angina?
c. Heartburn?
d. A panic attack?
e. A pinched nerve?
f. Shingles?
Your parent is having memory lapses.
Are they caused by:
a. Dementia/Alzheimer’s?
b. Depression?
c. Anemia?
d. High fever?
e. Dehydration?
f. Vitamin deficiency/poor nutrition?
g. Medications?
h. Thyroid gland problems?
i. Minor head injuries?
Answers:
The pain in your chest can, indeed,
be from a heart attack, and the
memory lapses, from irreversible
dementia. But they also can be
caused by other problems, such
as those listed above, which
doctors usually can treat.
Some people don’t seek medical
help when they should because
they’re afraid their worst fears
will be confirmed—like the
woman who feels a lump in
her breast but doesn’t want to
know if it’s cancer.
Others don’t seek professional
help because they fear the
embarrassment they’d feel if it
turned out to be nothing—like the
man who goes to the emergency
room with chest pains that turn
out to be indigestion.
But doctors would rather have you
come in for what turns out to be a
false alarm than have you wait too
long with a serious condition. The
same is true for having recommended
checkups, immunizations and
screening tests. Don’t let fear keep
you from sound preventive measures.
Whatever your concern, the earlier
you see the doctor, the better. The
first few hours after having a heart
attack or stroke, for instance, are
critical—and delay can, indeed, be
fatal. Early detection of cancer can
save your life.
Stay current with your recommended
checkups, immunizations and
screening tests. Visiting the Health
& Wellness section of our website,
you’ll find health links that detail
all the federally recommended
immunizations and screenings
for you and your family.
www.bcbsfl.com
