Annual physical exams are essential to your ongoing health and visiting your primary care provider for regular preventive care is one of the best ways to identify and treat health issues before they get worse. Here are some reasons why annual physical exams are so significant:
Assessing Your Overall Health
Depending on your risk factors, age, lifestyle and family history, your doctor may order a variety of blood tests and other screenings during your annual physical exam, including:
- Blood pressure screening
- Cholesterol screening
- Osteoporosis screening (recommended for women age 65+ and for men 70+)
- Body mass index (BMI) calculation
These tests can identify underlying conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms. Your test results also enable your doctor to make recommendations for follow-up testing, as well as lifestyle, exercise or diet changes that can help you improve or maintain your health.
Updating Your Vaccinations
Vaccines aren’t just for kids. Adults need to keep their vaccines up to date to prevent dangerous diseases, too. Your doctor will review your vaccination history and risk factors and may recommend immunizations, including:
- Tdap vaccine: This vaccine is a combination of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular (contains no cells) pertussis.
- Flu vaccine: Flu shots are recommended each year for most people age 6 months and older.
- HPV vaccine: Recommended for teens and young adults ages 11 to 26.
- Pneumonia vaccine: Recommended for adults age 65+.
- Shingles vaccine: Recommended for most adults age 60+.
- Hepatitis B vaccine: For people with diabetes or other conditions that affects the immune system.
Screening for Cancer
Keeping up with routine cancer screenings can increase your chances of detecting cancer in the earliest stages when it’s most treatable. Your doctor will consider your age and risk factors during your annual physical exam and may recommend cancer screenings including those for skin cancer, breast cancer, gynecological cancer like cervical cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, or lung cancer.
Since cancer screening recommendations are always being evaluated and updated, it’s best to talk with your doctor about what’s best for you.
Screening for Mental Health
Your doctor may ask if you’re experiencing symptoms of common mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. If you have concerns about your mental health, your doctor may refer you to a specialist.
Knowing Your Family History
Your doctor will ask if anyone in your family has developed any new health conditions. If your family history puts you at risk of developing a similar medical condition, your doctor may recommend earlier screening.
Establishing a Relationship with Your Doctor
Your primary care practitioner is your healthcare partner, and an annual physical exam is a great way to get to know your doctor—and allow your doctor to get to know you. Although you may see your primary care practitioner at other times during the year for minor illnesses and injuries, those “sick care” visits usually are focused on treating a specific problem.
During your annual physical exam, the focus is on your overall wellness and the preventive care you need to stay healthy. In addition to learning more about you and your lifestyle, your doctor will allow plenty of time to address any concerns or answer questions you may have about medications, treatment plans, or other health issues.
Scheduling your annual physical exam just might be the best thing you do for your health this year!
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