Annual physicals play an essential role in maintaining your health. It might seem inconvenient to visit the doctor when nothing seems to be wrong, but skipping your physical could be a big mistake. Here are the top reasons why you shouldn’t miss it.
Catching Diseases Early On
Disease prevention is one of the best reasons to get a physical each year. There are many conditions that have significantly better treatment outcomes when they are identified early.
Cancer is likely a disease that most people think of when it comes to early detection. However, your physical can also catch indicators of heart disease, pre-diabetes, kidney issues, and other serious conditions.
Establishing a Medical History
Your physician can most effectively diagnose conditions and prescribe treatments with an accurate medical history. Many diseases are not easy to identify based on isolated assessments. Instead, a diagnosis can emerge based on trends in your health.
With a record of past test results and regular updates to your medical history given at an annual appointment, your physician can identify any sudden or unexpected changes in your health. This is why scribe services are so essential for physicians, as they can record significant data during each physical.
Updating Medications and Immunizations
Even if you haven’t noticed changes in your health, there might be newer or more effective medications that could enable you to lead a higher quality of life than your currently prescribed doses. Conversely, you may be taking medications you no longer need based on your current health.
An annual appointment allows you to talk through each of your medications, discuss any side effects, and adjust your dosages, if necessary.
The same is true for your immunizations. An annual physical ensures that your medications and immunizations are always up-to-date with the current standards and recommendations.
Getting Professional Advice
Today, many people rely on internet research to find out about health and wellness information. This can be helpful, but it is no substitute for accurate medical advice. You should run potential lifestyle changes by your physician to see if they really are the right move for your specific needs.
Medicine is incredibly complex, and a professional opinion is of the highest value!
It’s Affordable Today and in the Long Run
Annual physicals are generally covered by insurance, although you should check your individual policy beforehand. In many cases, you won’t even have to pay a deductible for a routine visit.
Early diagnosis and concrete advice to improve your health will reduce potential medical expenses over your lifetime. Regular checkups will prevent the need for more extensive treatments down the road. Following your physician’s advice can keep you in better overall health.
Even without reliable insurance, an annual physical is one of the most sound investments you can make in your health.
