A lot of people do not see the point in making a yearly doctor appointment, especially if they are in healthy condition. However, going to the doctor on a regular basis is more important than you think. There are many benefits for you and your health. Annual physical exams with your doctor help track your health, make adjustments to medication and treatments when needed, and prevent serious conditions from developing. Family history and lifestyle factors determine how often you need healthcare, which is what you doctor will track during visits. Annual exams will not only help you achieve good health, but can be life saving.
Prevention
Your doctor keeps record of any changes in your health and can detect if something major is wrong. Screenings and blood work will help your doctor detect any changes and risk factors. They will advise and help you establish a goal so you manage your health and avoid major risk factors from becoming serious. Also, preventing a serious condition from occuring will save you money from future medical bills.
Better Medical Records
Going to your doctor on a regular basis gives them the knowledge to track your vitals and stay on top of your numbers. With a baseline, your doctor is able to see red flags when they occur within your numbers and reach out to address the problem. Doctors can then begin to keep your medical record and update it when needed.
Medication Management
During your annual doctor visit, your doctor will go over your current medication. The reason is to see if it is working or to make some changes to them. They can choose to stop a medication, up the limit, or change it all together. Doctors will keep you from making the mistake of taking two medications together that can have a negative effect together, which can cause you pain or even death.
Vaccinations
Vaccines are not necessarily something that only kids need, adults need to have updated ones as well. There are boosters, such as the flu shot that will help benefit adults from getting sick and contracting diseases. Adults can receive the tetanus shot every 10 years, while adults 60 years old and older can get the shingles vaccine. The shingles vaccine lasts about 5 years. Doctors can keep track of these vaccines and notify you when the next set is needed.
Annual visits with your doctor will build a closer relationship with them. Patients who feel more comfortable with their doctors will open up more about issues they are dealing with. Achieving optimum health is done by visiting with your doctor, getting tests done and talking with them about any concerns you have. Physical exams may seem unimportant or a waste of time, especially to patients who are healthy, but it is one of the most important steps you can take for better health. These exams will catch a serious issue before it snowballs, and prevention is key to a healthy life.
