Health is a long-term investment that needs to be maintained consistently. Amid today’s fast-paced modern lifestyle, high stress levels, unbalanced dietary patterns, and a lack of physical activity, the risk of chronic diseases continues to increase – even among people of working age.
Maintaining health is not only about seeking treatment when illness occurs, but also about prevention, early detection, and risk management before diseases progress into more severe conditions and cause serious complications.
What Aspects of Health Need to Be Maintained?
To understand these risks, it is important to recognise which aspects of health require attention from an early stage. Several health aspects that need special attention include:
1. Metabolic Health
This includes blood sugar levels, cholesterol, uric acid, and hormone function. Metabolic disorders often do not cause symptoms during the early stages.
2. Blood Pressure and Heart Health
Hypertension is known as a silent killer because it often does not cause noticeable symptoms, yet it can lead to stroke, heart failure, and damage to vital organs.
3. Kidney and Liver Function
Kidney and liver damage can occur gradually without significant symptoms until reaching an advanced stage.
4. Body Weight and Body Composition
Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, joint disorders, and hormonal imbalances.
5. Lifestyle and Risk Factors
Smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of sleep, chronic stress, and diets high in sugar and saturated fat can significantly contribute to the development of chronic diseases.
Comprehensive Health Journey Support
Maintaining health involves more than simply treating complaints; it also requires an understanding of the body’s overall condition. Many chronic diseases develop gradually without clear symptoms, making early detection essential to prevent complications.
According to dr. Timoteus Richard, Sp.PD, Internal Medicine Specialist at Bethsaida Hospital Gading Serpong, “Most chronic diseases develop gradually without clear symptoms. Therefore, early detection through routine examinations is very important so that conditions can be controlled from the beginning and do not progress into complications.”
Routine examinations help identify risk factors and provide a comprehensive overview of the body’s condition to support further prevention. This approach includes:
- Comprehensive assessment of health risk factors
- Interpretation of laboratory and diagnostic examination results
- Determination of accurate and measurable diagnoses
- Treatment planning tailored to individual needs
- Education on healthier and sustainable lifestyle choices
What Is Monitored for the Early Detection of Chronic Diseases?
In practice, monitoring is carried out gradually and adjusted according to each patient’s condition, including:
1. Routine Laboratory Examinations
- Fasting blood sugar and HbA1c: To detect the risk of diabetes.
- Lipid profile: To assess total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels.
- Kidney function: Examination of urea, creatinine, and eGFR.
- Liver function: To assess liver health.
- Uric acid: To monitor the risk of gout.
- Hormone examinations: Based on medical indications.
2. Blood Pressure and Body Weight Monitoring
- Routine evaluation of blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference to assess the risk of metabolic syndrome.
3. Heart Examination
- Examinations such as an ECG, treadmill test, or echocardiography, according to medical needs.
4. Lifestyle Evaluation
- Assessing dietary patterns, physical activity, sleep quality, and stress levels to prevent further health problems.
These examinations help identify health conditions at an early stage, allowing prevention and risk management to be carried out more effectively.
Preventing Complications: The Key to Chronic Disease Management
Uncontrolled chronic diseases can lead to serious complications such as:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Kidney failure
- Nerve damage (neuropathy)
- Vision problems
- Difficult-to-heal wounds
dr. Timoteus added, “Our main goal is not only to reduce numbers in laboratory results, but also to maintain patients’ quality of life at an optimal level. With regular monitoring and adherence to therapy, complications can be prevented.”
Proper treatment, regular monitoring, and lifestyle changes such as maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and managing stress are important parts of a prevention strategy.
Therefore, early detection and routine monitoring are essential steps towards maintaining optimal health in the long term. Through targeted examinations and comprehensive evaluations of health conditions and lifestyles, disease risks can be controlled earlier, allowing quality of life to be preserved.
As a hospital that prioritises comprehensive healthcare services, Bethsaida Hospital Gading Serpong provides an integrated approach that focuses not only on treatment but also on prevention and long-term monitoring.
Director of Bethsaida Hospital Gading Serpong, dr. Margareth Aryani Santoso, MARS, stated, “We are committed to providing comprehensive healthcare services with a strong focus on prevention. Through early detection, regular monitoring, and multidisciplinary collaboration, we aim to ensure that every patient receives appropriate, safe, and sustainable care for a better quality of life.”