My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group
Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Young Adults
We offer clinics specially designed for Young Adults, ages 18 to 25. And we make it easy to stay connected with your doctor while you are on the go. You can e-mail your doctor, make appointments, and refill prescriptions – all on our website, any time and any place.
Screenings and Immunizations for Younger Adults (18 to 39 years) [Read/Print full article]
Recommended Lifestyle Practices
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A healthy lifestyle can promote wellness, prevent disease, elevate your mood, and help you recover more quickly from illness.
These recommendations are for generally healthy people. If you have an ongoing health problem or special health needs or risks, or if certain conditions run in your family, your prevention plan may be different.
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Alcohol and drugs
Don't drive after drinking or using drugs. If drinking or using drugs is causing problems for you or someone you know, we can help.
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Diet and nutrition
Enjoy a variety of healthy foods daily. Eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Choose lean meats, low-fat diary products, and whole-grain foods. Limit foods high in salt, saturated and trans fat, and sugar.
Women of childbearing age should take a multivitamin with 0.4 mg of folic acid daily. To prevent osteoporosis, talk to your doctor about calcium and vitamin D supplements.
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Emotional health
Talk to your personal physician or other medical professional to get help if you're depressed, anxious, thinking of suicide, or being threatened, abused, or hurt by someone.
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Exercise
Be physically active for a minimum of 150 minutes a week. We recommend about 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every day. Walk the dog, dance, and take the stairs – it all counts! In addition, try to do strengthening activities on 2 days of the week, such as yoga, push-ups, squats, sit-ups, or other exercises that promote strength.
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Injury prevention
Wear your seatbelt every time you drive or ride in a car and buckle up children. Don't keep loaded firearms in the house. Wear a helmet when you are on a bike, motorcycle, skateboard, or skates.
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Pre-pregnancy health
Some medications and chemicals in the home or workplace can be harmful to you if you or your partner becomes pregnant. Plan all pregnancies to reduce risk.
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Sexual practices
Practice safer sex by using condoms to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Talk to your medical professional about effective birth control (including emergency contraception) if you do not want to become pregnant now.
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Skin protection
Always protect your skin from the sun when outdoors. Wear a hat and sunscreen to reduce your risk of skin cancer.
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Quit Tobacco
Don't smoke or use tobacco. If you do, we can help you quit. Don't allow anyone to smoke around you or your family.
Health Screenings
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Keeping up to date on important health screenings is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Manage your screenings and immunizations with our personalized online Preventive Health Reminders.
The following recommendations are for generally healthy people. If you have an ongoing health problem or special health needs or risks, or if certain conditions run in your family, your prevention plan may be different.
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Cervical cancer (for women)
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects a woman's reproductive organs. Although it is a dangerous cancer, you can take steps to prevent it.
A Pap test (also called a Pap smear) is the most common type of screening test for cervical cancer. During the test, we check for abnormal cells in your cervix, which is the lowest, narrowest part of the uterus. If abnormal cells are found, we can help you manage and treat them before they turn into cancer.
Have a Pap test every 3 years starting at age 21. Beginning at age 30, have a Pap and human papillomavirus (HPV) test every 3 years until you are 65.
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Cholesterol
Your cholesterol should be checked every 5 years or more often if its level is higher than normal.
Cholesterol is a fatlike substance made by the body that is found naturally in animal-based foods. The levels in your blood are determined by family genetics and by your diet and lifestyle.
There are two types of cholesterol:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called "bad" cholesterol
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL), often called "good" cholesterol
When bad, or LDL, cholesterol levels are too high or when good, or HDL, levels are too low, fats can build up on the blood vessels. This can decrease the flow of blood to vital organs such as your heart and brain.
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HIV and other STDs
Get tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other STDs if you have had unprotected sex, are pregnant, or have any other reason to think you may be at risk. Have a yearly chlamydia test if you're sexually active and between the ages of 14 and 25.
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Hypertension
Have your blood pressure checked every 1 to 2 years. An ideal blood pressure is less than 120/80.
Hypertension means having higher than normal blood pressure. When you have hypertension, your heart has to work too hard to send blood throughout your body and the high pressure progressively damages your blood vessels. By lowering your blood pressure, you can take some of this extra demand off your heart and blood vessels.
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Overweight and obesity
Body mass index (BMI) is a quick formula to understand a person's healthy weight range. BMI is a more useful measure than weight alone because it takes into account your height.
In general, a healthy BMI range is between 19 and 24. Have your BMI calculated every 1 to 2 years.
BMI does not apply to pregnant women or those who are nursing, people under age 18, or the elderly. BMI is not adjusted for ethnicity, body type, or gender.
Additional References:
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- Hypertension
- External Link to Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator
Immunizations
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Staying up to date on your immunizations is a great way to protect your health. Manage your screenings and immunizations with our personalized online Preventive Health Reminders.
The following recommendations are for generally healthy people. If you have an ongoing health problem or special health needs or risks, or if certain conditions run in your family, your prevention plan may be different.
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Flu
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends that everyone over 6 months of age receive a yearly vaccine to protect against seasonal flu.
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Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)
This vaccine protects against tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). All adults should be vaccinated once every 10 years. Pregnant women should also receive the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy. Family members and anyone who cares for an infant should be up-to-date on their Tdap vaccination.
Additional References:
Related Health Tools:
Classes and Coaching
- Wellness Coaching Wellness Coaching
Interactive Programs
- Cold, Flu and Cough Cold, Flu and Cough
- Quit smoking with Breathe™ Quit smoking with Breathe™
Personal Logs and Diaries
- Maybe Baby? Healthy Choices for Women in their Childbearing Years Maybe Baby? Healthy Choices for Women in their Childbearing Years
Videos
- Cervical Cancer Screening Saves Lives Cervical Cancer Screening Saves Lives
- Mammograms Save Lives Mammograms Save Lives
- Screen for Colon Cancer with FIT Screen for Colon Cancer with FIT
- Screen for Colon Cancer with FIT (Cantonese) Screen for Colon Cancer with FIT (Cantonese)
- Screen for Colon Cancer with FIT (Spanish) Screen for Colon Cancer with FIT (Spanish)
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.