NAME: Dr. Juan Carlos Garza
AGE: 39
JOB: M.D., family practice

What is the biggest mistake that people in their 20s make regarding their health?

Taking for granted their age as a shield for problems that they faced when they were teens. Rates of automobile accidents from reckless driving, alcohol-related accidents and fatalities and rates of sexually transmitted diseases are higher in people in their 20s than in their teens.

What is the biggest health crisis facing young adults?

Lack of health insurance. About 15 million young adults don't have health coverage. They often lose coverage under their parent's policies, Medicaid or state-funded health insurance programs, which usually end at age 19.

How often should young adults see a doctor?

In young adulthood, you can safeguard your health by scheduling a periodic health examination every five years. Your health-care provider will physically examine you and order appropriate screening tests to promote early detection of the most common, yet treatable, diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Can the damage from extensive drinking and smoking be reversed if stopped at a young age?

It depends on how early the person starts using alcohol and smoking, as well as the amount and frequency. Both alcohol and cigarettes could affect many organs and systems in our bodies. Brain and liver are of most importance due to the vital role they play. A recent study shows that cognitive and mental abilities of middle-age alcoholics who’ve been sober for six months to thirteen years are indistinguishable from those of age- and gender-comparable non-alcoholics. All stages without a doubt benefit from alcohol abstinence, but the more severe liver impairment, the more potential for irreversible changes.

Related to smoking, many individuals aren't aware of the adverse effects of smoking. While most people know that cigarettes are bad for the lungs and heart, other health concerns include reoccurring ear infections, emphysema, impotence, asthma attacks, reduced immunity and longer recovery period from illnesses to name just a few. While smoking does cause irreversible damage, it doesn't mean the body can't heal from other effects. Heart and lungs take a few years to regain strength and function, but physical stamina, resistance to illnesses and sense of taste and smell can be noticed a few days after quitting.

What are the five things that young adults need to do to maintain a healthy lifestyle?

Responsible driving, responsible drinking, safe sexual practices, healthy eating and regular exercise.

How many alcoholic drinks a day is considered safe?

The recommended safe intake is three units of alcohol per day for men, and two units per day for women. One unit of alcohol is equivalent to a regular-strength glass/bottle of beer/lager or small glass of wine or small measure of spirit.

What is your advice to young adults without health insurance?

Get information and education about other health resources. There are some community resources as well as health fairs that take place throughout the year in most cities in the U.S. that offer free or low-cost health screening tests, including STDs. Another important piece of advice would be to be conscious and follow recommendations when it comes to eating, exercising, abstaining from high-risk sexual practices, driving, consuming alcohol and cigarettes and abstaining from illegal substances.

Are there any health risks that are particularly dangerous in San Antonio that young adults need to be aware of?

Obesity. San Antonio consistently has been in the top-ten fattest cities in the U.S. in the past few years.

How important are vitamins in your opinion?

There is little evidence that vitamin supplementation offers any protection to prevent cancer or heart disease, and in fact some vitamins are recommended not to be used to avoid other health problems. In the U.S., as well as most of the western world, many foods and drinks are enriched with vitamins and minerals. And not unless the patient has a proven deficiency or a medical condition that would warrant their use (like patients with a known nutritional deficiencies, pregnant or lactating women) would they be recommended.

“E.R.” or “Scrubs?”

The shows are entertaining, but personally I don't watch any. But my teenage daughter finds some “E.R.” characters appealing, while my 7-year-old daughter finds “Scrubs” funny. I would suggest to your readers to volunteer at local hospitals to see real medicine. They would be surprised that real-life actors and situations could very well be Golden Globe candidates.