What is tertiary disease prevention?

Tertiary prevention refers to taking corresponding measures at each stage before, during and after the disease, and is the basic principle and core strategy for disease prevention.

When a person has health problems, it is a process from exposure to risk factors, pathological changes in the body from small to large, and finally leading to the occurrence and development of clinical diseases. According to the characteristics of the disease occurrence and development process and health determinants, disease prevention is divided into three levels of prevention.

The first level of prevention (also known as etiology prevention) is to take measures against pathogenic factors (or risk factors) before the disease occurs. It is also a fundamental measure to prevent and eliminate diseases. The four cornerstones of human health, "reasonable diet, moderate exercise, smoking cessation and alcohol restriction, and psychological balance" are the basic principles of primary prevention. Its main measures include: health education, environmental protection, reasonable nutrition, a good lifestyle and physical exercise, and special protection.

Second level prevention (also known as "three early" prevention) is early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment. In the early stages of the disease, when symptoms and signs have not yet appeared or are difficult to detect, early detection and diagnosis of the disease, and timely and appropriate treatment will have a greater chance of cure. Or if the disease cannot be cured, treatment can prevent the disease from developing to a more serious stage or at least slow down the progression, reducing the need for more complex treatment measures. The main measures include: general screening, self-examination, regular physical examinations, and close observation of precancerous lesions.

Tertiary prevention: Also known as clinical prevention or disease management, tertiary prevention can prevent disability and promote functional recovery, improve quality of life, prolong life, and reduce mortality. It is mainly symptomatic treatment and rehabilitation treatment measures. The main measures are: symptomatic treatment to relieve symptoms; prevent further deterioration of the disease; prevent the occurrence and recurrence of acute events; prevent complications and disability; strengthen rehabilitation measures.

Tertiary prevention is the primary and effective means of promoting health and is the health protection provided by modern medicine to people.