As an internal medicine physician practicing in Southaven for more than eight years, I’ve learned one simple truth: Prevention is often more powerful than treatment. Every week, I see patients who wish they had come in sooner, before diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease quietly took hold. These conditions rarely appear overnight; they build over years of small imbalances in diet, stress, and lifestyle. The encouraging news is that small, steady actions can stop that process long before medications or procedures are needed.

A real-world example

A patient in her early fifties recently came to me with slightly elevated blood pressure. She felt well and assumed it was “just stress.” Instead of prescribing medicine right away, we focused on practical changes. She could actually maintain a 20-minute evening walk, smaller portion sizes, and ten minutes of relaxation before bed. At her six-month visit, her blood pressure was normal, no medication required. More importantly, she said she finally felt in control of her health. Stories like hers remind me that prevention isn’t abstract; it’s achievable.

Why prevention works

Preventive health is not about doing everything perfectly. It’s about staying one step ahead of disease. When we detect small changes early, such as a rising cholesterol level, a few extra pounds, or elevated blood sugar, we can correct before permanent damage occurs. Preventive medicine saves lives, but it also saves quality of life. Patients who take action early often avoid complications that can limit mobility, independence, and joy later on.

Small habits, big impact

You don’t need a dramatic lifestyle overhaul to make progress. These simple steps truly add up:

• Move every day: Even a brisk 20- to 30-minute walk most days lowers blood pressure, improves mood, and boosts heart health.
• Eat smart: Focus on colorful vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. Choose balance, not restriction.
• Prioritize sleep: Aim for seven hours nightly. Rest helps regulate hormones, repair tissue, and support immunity.
• Manage stress: Deep breathing, prayer, journaling, or quiet time can reduce cortisol and improve focus.
• Stay current on screenings: Annual exams, vaccines, and age-appropriate cancer screenings are the foundation of preventive care.

Each of these choices might seem small, but together they can transform your future health.

Changing the mindset

Many people still see their doctor only when something hurts. But modern medicine is shifting from a reactive model (“fix it when it breaks”) to a proactive partnership. Patients who engage in preventive visits learn to understand their numbers, notice trends, and make adjustments early. As physicians, we play a key role in that education. A five-minute conversation about nutrition or exercise can have more lasting impact than a prescription. Empowering patients with knowledge is one of the most valuable interventions we can offer.

A message for our community

Here in the Mid-South, we face high rates of chronic illness, yet we also have a strong, supportive community that values family and faith. Those same strengths can drive better health. When one person commits to walking after dinner, a spouse, neighbor, or friend often joins in. Wellness becomes contagious. Prevention is more than an individual act. It’s community care. When we encourage healthy habits in our homes, churches, and workplaces, we create ripple effects that benefit everyone.

The bottom line

Good health rarely depends on one big decision; it’s built from many small, consistent ones. Preventive care helps us live not just longer, but better, with more energy, independence, and peace of mind. The best time to take care of your health is before you have to.

Shirisha Kamidi is a board-certified internal medicine physician and hospitalist at Baptist Memorial Hospital–Desoto in Southaven, Mississippi. She completed her internal medicine–pediatrics residency at Oakland University William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan after earning her medical degree from Kakatiya Medical College in India.

Dr. Kamidi is passionate about improving patient outcomes and hospital efficiency through quality-improvement initiatives, including reducing hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infections and enhancing care for myocardial infarction (MI) and congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. As an Epic Physician Builder, she enjoys optimizing clinical workflows to support both providers and patients. She also contributes to evidence-based practice and academic collaboration, serving as a coauthor of the publication “Outcome on Reinstitution of Anticoagulation Following Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Single Institutional Analysis.”

In addition to her clinical work, she serves as teaching faculty and mentors residents, medical students, and high-school students exploring healthcare careers. She is actively involved in the American College of Physicians, the Society of Hospital Medicine, and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and she serves on SHM’s Hospital Quality and Patient Safety Advocates Council (2025–2026).

Outside of medicine, she finds balance through yoga, meditation, swimming, and traveling, which aligns with her belief in holistic well-being and lifelong growth.