What Are the Benefits of Annual Physicals?
When living a busy life, it is easy to overlook regular health check-ups. Many people see their doctor when they feel sick, but an annual physical is crucial for staying on top of their health and catching potential issues before they become serious problems. Despite the importance, there are common misconceptions that prevent people from scheduling their annual physical.
Routine Annual Physicals Offer Numerous Benefits
Whether you are in your twenties or well into retirement, prioritizing your annual physical is essential for maintaining your well-being. These appointments address current health concerns and provide opportunities for preventative care and health education.
- Early Detection- Routine annual physicals allow your doctor to detect any chronic health conditions or deficiencies early.
- Vaccines and Preventative Screenings- Annual physicals give you the chance to receive timely vaccines or preventative screenings, reducing your risk of developing serious health conditions.
- Family History- Monitoring any family history helps in assessing your risk for hereditary conditions.
- Health Changes- Meeting with your doctor annually allows you to discuss and address any health changes or concerns.
These benefits apply to individuals of any age. More specifically, here is what you can expect during annual physicals at various stages of life:
- Age 5-20- Back-to-school check-ups, as they are usually called, are often the only visit youngsters have with their doctor every year. The annual physical gives the doctor a chance to give your child a thorough exam that addresses any emotional, developmental, or social concerns. In addition to examining heart and blood pressure and testing for diabetes, their doctor will use an annual physical to discuss their diet and exercise options, provide vision screenings, and test for cholesterol and anemia.
- Ages 20-39- Your doctor will focus on your lifestyle habits, reproductive health, and early detection of potential issues. You can expect blood pressure and cholesterol checks, and a pap smear for women.
- Ages 40-49- You can expect increased preventative screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and cancer. At age 45, your doctor will start discussing colon screenings. Women can expect a discussion about mammograms.
- Ages 50-65- At this age, you might need more diabetes screenings, especially if you have a higher Body Mass Index (BMI). Male annual physicals past the age of 50 will include a conversation about prostate cancer screening. Your doctor will also introduce the shingles vaccine.
- Ages 65+- As you get older, your doctor will ask you about your memory and mental health to identify issues early. Over 65, females who are post-menopause will begin bone density screenings. After age 70, it is recommended that everyone have regular bone density screenings.
What Is an Annual Physical Exam?
The annual physical is an essential part of any doctor’s visit. However, there are no absolutes in a routine physical. A good doctor can be thorough or brief and will spend time listening to your concerns and providing counseling for your concerns and risk factors. Your doctor might suggest preventive steps that can keep health issues at bay.
If you have a medical issue that does not seem urgent enough to schedule an appointment, your annual physical is a suitable time to address it. If you and your doctor identify a condition early and begin treatment, you are likely to have a better outcome.
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