Health care

Definition- What is health care?

Health care is the term used to describe measures designed to maintain and improve the health of the individual and to prevent the development of possible diseases. Concretely the health care covers thus for example preventive medical checkups for the early recognition of diseases or offers for the improvement of the physical efficiency (sport). In Germany, preventive health care is firmly integrated into the social system and is supported by health insurance companies and many employers.

Why should one practice preventive health care?

Health care is a large topic, it concerns everyone, but not everyone takes health care to the extent offered. Straight one, if nothing hurts them and them also otherwise no complaints have, many humans ask themselves why you should go at all to the precaution. Also the fear of bad news prevents many people from going to a preventive medical checkup.

However, many illnesses can be detected at an early stage, which is especially important if the illness initially progresses insidiously and without any symptoms, so that those affected sometimes don’t notice anything at all. Some examples are high blood pressure or elevated blood lipid levels. Preventive health care also has the decisive advantage that people can actively take care of their health themselves.

The situation is different in the case of existing illnesses, where those affected have to rely on the judgment and decisions of doctors. Health care therefore gives people the chance to maintain and improve their health as well as possible from the outset and to take measures themselves so that nothing changes in health. Since the costs are a big issue for many, it is important to know that many health care examinations are regularly covered or subsidized by health insurance companies. This topic might also be of interest to you: Health Coaching – A support for you!

What does health care include – What preventive medical checkups are available?

All those who are members of a statutory health insurance fund are basically entitled to health care. This includes numerous preventive medical check-ups, which are largely covered by the health insurance companies and serve for early detection of diseases and prevention. Among the recommended preventive medical checkups are Pregnancy check-ups that take place regularly during pregnancy Check-ups for children and adolescents U1- J1 examinations for early detection of cervical cancer and breast cancer screening (for men for early detection of prostate diseases), as well as cancer illnesses of the external genital area of the Check-Up 35 for the early recognition of cardiovascular and kidney illnesses as well as diabetes investigations for the early recognition of skin cancer and intestine cancer various inoculations dental preventive medical examinations with men in addition an ultrasonic investigation of the abdominal artery Starting from which age the different investigations are recommended and by the health insurance company to be taken over is legally specified and depends in addition on the medical history and the family background of the individual patients.

  • Pregnancy check-ups, which take place regularly during pregnancy
  • Control examinations for children and adolescents U1- J1
  • Examinations for early detection of cervical cancer and breast cancer screening (for men for early detection of prostate diseases), as well as cancers of the external genital area
  • Check-Up 35 for early detection of cardiovascular and kidney diseases and diabetes
  • Examinations for the early detection of skin cancer and colon cancer
  • Various vaccinations
  • Preventive dental checkups
  • For men, also an ultrasound examination of the abdominal artery

In addition to the gender-unspecific preventive medical checkups, there are some services that specifically serve the health care of men. The best known of these preventive examinations is probably the early detection of cancer of the prostate or the external genitals of the man. This examination is recommended annually from the age of 45 onwards and is paid for by the health insurance companies.The scope of services includes the analysis of the medical history, a visual examination with palpation of the external genitals and the rectum as well as the examination of the local lymph nodes and finally the discussion of the examination results.

In addition, there is another special feature of preventive health care for men compared to women, namely ultrasound examination of the abdominal artery from the age of 65. It is used for the early detection of abdominal aortic aneurysms, which are a much more frequent risk in men than in women. The examination naturally includes informing the patient and discussing the results.

In addition to the gender-unspecific preventive examinations, there are some services that are specifically aimed at the health care of women. These include first of all, starting at the age of 20, a consultation for the early detection of cervical cancer, followed by an annual examination of the genitals and a tissue smear taken from the cervix and cervix, which is then examined in the laboratory. In addition, from the age of 30, every 2 years a breast examination is performed for early detection of breast cancer.

From the age of 50 onwards, women should regularly undergo mammography screening (an X-ray of the breast) for early detection of breast cancer. The examination includes a detailed explanation, the actual mammography and a discussion of the results. Of course, for women, preventive health care also includes examinations in connection with pregnancy.

In the case of prenatal care, the examinations are initially carried out monthly, and from the 32nd week of pregnancy on a fortnightly basis. The examinations include ultrasound scans, urine analyses and blood sugar level measurements. Prenatal examinations for early detection of genetic diseases are not included in the scope of services.