Many people don't think about going to the doctor until they feel sick — or if they do, it falls too low on their to-do list to get done. That’s a mistake.
Just as you take your car in for periodic checks and tune-ups, your health can benefit from an annual physical exam.
At The Healthy Woman our attentive medical experts provide patient-centered primary care specifically designed to meet every woman's unique needs. With a spa-like atmosphere and convenient locations in Atlanta East and Lawrenceville, Georgia, taking care of yourself has never been as easy.
Good health often starts with a physical exam conducted at least once a year. Here are just five of the invaluable benefits of making this annual appointment.
While about three out of four adults have had a physical exam in the last year or two, that still leaves almost a quarter without the important benefits of this contact with a doctor. Reasons for missing this appointment vary, including scheduling conflicts, not finding the right doctor, discomfort about going to the doctor, and simply not remembering.
However, by skipping this important visit, you’re short-changing your health in a variety of ways. The benefits of scheduling a physical exam annually include:
Unlike a sick visit where the focus is on a single problem, an annual physical allows your doctor to look at a fuller picture of your health. This is especially important given some medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes may present no symptoms.
A physical typically includes checking vital signs like blood pressure, heart and respiration rates, and temperature along with examining your eyes, ears, nose, throat and internal organs by feeling the abdomen. We also evaluate your nerves, reflexes, and balance. An assessment can be made of any possible mental health issues as well.
We also can perform breast and pelvic exams at this visit. Additional lab tests and screenings are customized to the individual as needed. These are generally determined by age, family and personal medical history, and overall health.
An annual exam is also a great time to make sure your vaccinations are up to date. Some, like those for polio and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), are good for long periods of time, but you should get a tetanus immunization booster every 10 years. Others, such as shingles and pneumonia, are determined by age and health status.
A yearly doctor's visit also provides a good opportunity to talk about everything from healthier eating and exercise, to smoking and alcohol consumption, to improving sleep. Weight loss may be part of the discussion for some patients, including treatment options.
Updating current medications and supplements, any new allergies, or other health concerns can be done during this appointment as well as gathering any additional information on personal or family medical histories. Doing this annually creates an invaluable record for tracking your health.
In addition to discussions about wellness and preventive care, this is the time to raise other questions or concerns about health issues and medications. Your annual physical is a good time to get to know your doctor better — and for them to get to know you more, too. This closer relationship can also be helpful in the future when problems arise.
Getting an annual physical exam is one of the best decisions you can make for your health, and our compassionate highly skilled staff at The Healthy Woman aims to make the process as smooth and easy as possible. Call us at 770-809-1100 or request an appointment online today.
