Another cause of lumps in the skin is the very slow painless swelling of a sebaceous cyst. Prevention of arteriosclerosis can begin in childhood by avoiding animal fats in the diet. In early adult life, smoking should be avoided, not only to prevent lung cancer, arteriosclerosis, and cancer of the urinary tract, but also to protect the lungs from chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other disorders of the respiratory system. Equally important is regular exercise. This should be more than a weekly game of golf or a swim.
Aerobic exercise improves the condition of the heart and exercises the lungs.
In this way, full use is made of the heart and lungs for a few minutes each day. A welcome side effect of this is sense of mental well-being. Regular assessment by a physician will help the individual to maintain good health and may detect early signs of disease. But even if such checkups are routine, it is essential not to ignore any symptoms that last longer than a few days without consulting a physician. See Health care checklist for a list of questions regarding danger signals of possible illnesses.