Preventative medicine is just as simple as it sounds. It is preventing diseases before they are able to happen or finding them early so changes can be made quicker. Naturopathic medicine is a foundation of preventative medicine. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) take time to understand not only your current medical conditions, but your past conditions and where you want to go in the future. Let's say your goal is to run the Boston Marathon on your 80th birthday, what steps need to be taken in your 30s, 40s, 50s, and so on to get you to your goal. The steps for each individual would be different, some might need to make changes to their diets, others might need to get their asthma under control and still others might need to take their first running steps.
NDs also look at family medical history. By understanding what has happened in past generations, an ND will have a better idea of what tests need to be run at what age. For example if your grandmother had breast cancer when she was 50 years old, it would be important for you to start yearly mammography at the age of 40. If your father had colon cancer and you are having GI issues more testing would be an important component. Even if there was no cancer in the family specialized testing is important. NDs focus on getting to the root of the problem and by understanding its cause, help treat and prevent the disease.
What are your goals for the future and what steps are you taking to prevent chronic diseases? Have you set up your appointment with your local Naturopathic Doctor? To find a doctor in your area check the American Association of Naturopathic Physician's website www.naturopathic.org.