We all want to be wealthy, right? Did you know that the first step to wealth is through your health? Your health is the best investment you can make for your future, which is why regular checkups with your Primary Care Physician are so important.
There are the rare few who make it a point to have routine check-ups, but many of us are guilty of waiting until we have a problem before we pick up the phone to make an appointment with our family physician.
What is so important about regular check-ups?
- You and your doctor can get to know each other better
- Learn about any risk factors you may have
- Get advice on healthy living
- Update your information
- Finding any disease that is showing no symptoms (some people live with a chronic disease that they are unaware of!)
A once a year visit to your Primary Care Physician can tell you a lot. Your doctor can assess your general wellbeing by doing a full body exam. You may feel that everything is fine, but there are many diseases that have no visible symptoms and your doctor can spot them in their beginning stages. When you catch a disease while it is still treatable, this makes seeing your family physician regularly all the more important.
If I’m healthy do I need regular check-ups?
The next time you see your family physician, after your assessment you can discuss how often they recommend you should come in. Health checks are different for everyone, depending on your age, sex, family health history and general lifestyle.
What should I expect at my check-up?
Generally speaking, your family physician will want to go over your health history. They’ll want to know about your family health history as well, your immunizations and your lifestyle. They will want to know about your sleep habits, your diet and exercise and how much you drink or smoke.
The physician will take your temperature, blood pressure, heart, respiration rate and weight. They will ask you if you have any specific concerns.
Do I need to prepare?
The first step is making an appointment. You might want to ask if there is anything specific you need to do, especially if you are experiencing any symptoms. If this is so, your doctor would want to order some tests. Depending on what the tests are you may need to fast or stop taking certain medications. Other than that, just show up on time or a little early in case there are any forms you need to fill out.
Whether you need urgent care or an annual physical, when you see your Primary Care Physician you are taking an important step in prioritizing your health. Your quality of life depends on making sure that you are aware of any issues that need attending. Rather than waiting until a disease has progressed, your family physician can focus on preventative care.
The expression “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is true, especially when it comes to your health. Preventative care should be a part of every adult’s lifestyle.