Quite a long time ago, doctors would be visited only when one fell sick. The notion of an annual checkup did not exist. However, with evolution and advancement impacting every area of life, this aspect too has changed. The shift is a simple one: from regarding doctors as those that are only meant to be visited when things go south, to one in which doctors are considered helpful for the prevention of diseases and thus, visited on a regular basis. The simple fact of the matter is, that an annual checkup has a number of benefits.
What are the benefits of an Annual Checkup?
Education has rendered people vastly more empowered and concerned about healthcare. This has led to individuals seeking out preemptive advice on how to increase the quality of their life in general, as well as elevate the state of health by consuming a diet that is healthy and adequate physical activity levels that lead to maintenance of weight. Along with this, they are also seeking out their family physician more frequently and establishing beneficial practices like an annual checkup.
Preventive Health Screening
An annual checkup can be considerably fruitful through the preventive health screening that is performed.
Typically, the annual physician ensures that a complete picture of the state of health of the patient is gleaned.
This includes important factors like the family history, blood pressure, calculation of body mass index (BMI), and a physical exam.
If needed, counselling is also provided.
Other than this, during the annual checkup, a number of screenings are often performed.
This includes cancer screenings including colorectal, skin, breast cancer and cervical cancer screening for women, and screening for testicular and prostate cancer in men.
If the family history points out a proclivity towards a specific disease or condition, then screenings for those will also likely be performed.
Other than this, it is common for your family medicine physician to screen for eyesight and hearing, if any symptoms are present or is indicated by the family history.
Immunizations
In order to protect against diseases, your healthcare physician will also suggest a schedule of immunizations.
There are a wide range of immunizations which ought to be administered including but not limited to influenza, MMR, meningococcal, shingles, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and tetanus.
Immunizations are a proactive manner of taking charge of your health situation and ensuring it stays within the best of condition.
Your health, without a doubt is your biggest asset. It is up to you to take steps to ensure your risk of getting sick is minimal.
Taking steps such as ensuring you go for an annual checkup, is one such way that can help in the detection of conditions that are potentially life-threatening, as well as limit the risk of complications occurring in conditions that are existing.
Sources:
PVHC
https://mypvhc.com/importance-regular-check-ups/
GuideStone
https://www.guidestoneinsurance.org/AboutUs/Articles/Yearly-Checkup