Memorial Hermann Medical Group understands importance of preventative care

Dr. Ernest Bartimmo, a doctor of internal medicine and the chief medical officer for the Memorial Hermann Medical Group, shares why preventive care is one of the most important ways of staying healthy.

"Just because you don't experience any symptoms doesn't mean that you're in excellent health," he says.

Preventive medicine, which aims to prevent diseases rather than cure them or treat any of their symptoms, includes regular physical check-ups and screenings.  Although specific tests may vary depending on gender, age, and family history, the goal of the whole process is to allow the doctor to determine any signs of irregularities and catch the development of any disease while still in the early stages.

"Annual physicals are great because they include a family history overview, physical examination and blood work," says Dr. Bartimmo.  "Your doctor can compare your results year over year and catch developments in their early stages.

Moreover, the regular visits can help the doctor monitor chronic conditions and keep them under control, such as diabetes and hypertension.  It also allows him or her to assess the patient's lifestyle, and provide recommendations with regards to diet, exercise, and limiting stressors that might contribute to the deterioration of health.

"Give yourself a chance to have an open dialogue with your doctor," Dr. Bartimmo says. "It's easier to treat a problem before it becomes a real problem. Medicine in the past focused mostly on treating disease and we are very good at that, but now we have come full circle by emphasizing prevention. Better to prevent a fire rather than fighting one, less pain and suffering in prevention, etc."

For more information about preventive care and other Memorial Hermann services, please call 713-222.CARE or visit online at www.memorialhermann.org.

About Memorial Hermann

An integrated health system, Memorial Hermann is known for world-class clinical expertise, patient-centered care, leading edge technology, and innovation. The system, with its exceptional medical staff and more than 20,000 employees, serves southeast Texas and the greater Houston community. Memorial Hermann's 12 hospitals include three hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, including a level 1 trauma center, a hospital for children and a rehabilitation hospital, eight suburban hospitals, and a second rehabilitation hospital in Katy. The system also operates three Heart & Vascular Institute locations, the Mischer Neuroscience Institute, the Ironman Sports Medicine Institute, an air ambulance, cancer, imaging and surgery centers, sports medicine and rehabilitation centers, outpatient laboratories, a chemical dependency treatment center, a home health agency, a retirement community and a nursing home.  To learn more, visit www.memorialhermann.org.