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Health & Fitness

Mother's Day Thoughts: The Most Important Things a Mom Should Do For Her Own Health

Five most important things mom should do for their health

Hey, mom! 

Everyone relies on them: children, partners; often aging parents, as well.  Throw a boss into the mix and it’s no wonder women feel they’re being pulled in many directions at once.  Women are usually the gatekeepers of health, both for themselves and their families but they often neglect themselves to take care of others.

Downstate Long Island College Hospital physicians offer the following health tips for moms – and for the people who love moms: 

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  1. Get enough rest and eat a healthy diet – it will give you energy to multi-task
  2. Quit smoking and start exercising – if not for yourself, then for your children and partner.  Do it now.   
  3. Get an annual PAP smear and mammogram – so easy, you couldn’t invent an excuse not to do it. 
  4. Don’t neglect chronic illnesses – if you have asthma, take your medicine even if you feel better; if you have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly.  The damage done by chronic diseases may not be apparent yet, but you want to be around for grandchildren, don’t you?
  5. “I’m important, too!”  Say it loudly and often.  Get a massage, do some yoga, indulge in a little retail therapy and make “alone time” with your partner and friends a priority. 

Do you have a good primary care doctor?  Whether he or she is identified as an internist, a family medicine specialist or a primary care practitioner, there’s no doubt that these physicians provide a  medical “home” for all the members of the family: children, adults and seniors.  They create caring relationships, treating most conditions as they occur and referring to a specialist when necessary.  Come to think of it, they’re a lot like moms in that regard!  

Yours in good health, Debra

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Please don’t hesitate to contact me at debracarey.ceo@downstate.edu, and visit us at www.downstate.edu/LICH and www.facebook.com/DownstateLICH

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