Your primary care physician (PCP) is your right hand when it comes to taking care of your health and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You should take advantage of the opportunity presented by your yearly physical examination to assess your current state of health and formulate plans to improve it in the future year.
A checkup for illness is not the same as spring annual exams. It is a test that takes place while you are in good health. It is the ideal time to connect with your primary care physician (PCP), ascertain whether or not you are leading the healthiest lifestyle possible, and have a conversation about how to improve your health.
Here are some good reasons to schedule a checkup with your doctor once a year
- Repairs in the medical field. Your primary care physician (PCP) will ensure that all of your preventative healthcare is up to date at your yearly exam. It starts with taking your vital signs, such as your blood pressure, heart rate, and weight, as well as performing a basic checkup. However, its main concentration is on prevention. Your primary care physician will evaluate your current state of health and then refer you for blood tests. They might also recommend getting a mammogram, a colonoscopy, a prostate screening, imaging of your lungs, or any other procedures that can detect diseases such as cancer in their earliest stages. Your primary care physician should use your annual physical exam as an opportunity to address any ongoing medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid disease, and to make any necessary dosage adjustments to any medications you are currently taking.
- Vaccinations. You presumably had polio and MMR vaccines when you were an infant, just like the majority of individuals in the United States. When was the last time you had a tetanus shot? Are you protected against shingles and pneumonia through vaccination? Have you upgraded to the most recent version of Covid? Your primary care physician will evaluate your immunization history against these and other diseases that can be prevented.
- Modifications to one’s way of life. Have a conversation with your primary care physician about losing weight, getting in shape, and sleeping better by adopting a healthy diet and starting an exercise routine on a regular basis.
- Screening for both depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety, if left untreated, can frequently cause symptoms such as weariness, anger, weight gain, and even physical discomfort. Your primary care physician can start treatment for you and refer you to a mental health expert.
