Have you had your checkup yet? “An annual wellness visit is a great time to touch base with your doctor,” says Jeanine Bulan, MD, an internist for Atlantic Medical Group Primary Care at Westfield. “All health maintenance checks will follow accordingly – blood work, colonoscopy, mammogram, etc. We want to get people up to date with whatever is going to keep them healthiest.”
When it comes to flu, the best protection is an annual flu shot, says Dr. Bulan. But everyday precautions go a long way, too. Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Disinfect frequently touched (but often overlooked) surfaces: doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, etc. And do your best to make healthy food choices and get enough sleep.
In addition to an annual flu vaccine, there are other vaccinations that you should discuss with your physician. These include vaccines for pneumonia, shingles, and tetanus with pertussis.
If there is something going on with your health that concerns you, you should see your primary care physician. Our goal is to detect medical conditions as early as possible,” says Dr. Bulan. “For known chronic conditions, have regular visits in order to stay as healthy as possible. We have a lot of resources at our fingertips within Atlantic Medical Group, including access to all of our specialists and all of our Atlantic Health System hospitals.”
Dr. Bulan and Atlantic Medical Group Primary Care at Westfield are part of Atlantic Medical Group, a multispecialty network of health care providers. Dr. Bulan can be reached at 973-829-4632.