The seemingly endless questions, and all the poking and prodding that comes with having to endure a physical checkup is no fun at all. We make excuses for putting off, claiming we don’t have time, and we wonder why we should even go at all if there’s nothing wrong. But there are some good reasons why you should visit your doctor:
1. You’ll be ahead of your game
Although it’s not fun, especially when you feel fine, but going for regular medical checkups is a fundamental part of good health. One of the primary reasons to see your doctor regularly is because the focus of general medicine is on prevention. Regular medical checkups help to prevent sicknesses and diseases from occurring.
Just because we can’t feel something happening doesn’t mean we aren’t at risk. For example, when we have regular tests done to check our weight, as well as our cholesterol and blood pressure levels, our doctors will be able to identify the silent conditions and developing patterns that can have a detrimental impact on our health. The earlier those conditions are caught, the better chance they can be treated and reversed without any long term damage.
2. You’ll have a detailed medical history
Even if you feel strong and fit, if you don’t have a primary care physician, there is no one keeping tabs on your health. By building a detailed medical history, it will be much easier for your doctor to diagnose and treat future conditions, especially as you age.
Additionally, when health records are available, it makes it easier when you run into any health emergency. In the event of a car accident or catastrophic injury, the attending physicians will know about your allergies or preexisting conditions, and they’ll be able to give you the best care possible.
3. You’ll be establishing a trusting doctor-patient relationship
One of the most sacred parts of medicine is the doctor-patient relationship. This relationship is not built overnight, but requires multiple interactions to allow the doctor really understand the patient. This is particularly important because it can affect the treatment that is prescribed.
For example, if a doctor knows that a given patient does not desire to have surgery, then he or she can work to find effective alternative therapies. Similarly, if a patient despises medications, physicians can seek out additional options. Another major benefit of being an established patient is that most practices have 24/7 call lines; so when it’s Sunday night with no one around and nothing open, you can put a call through to your doctor, to request help.
4. You’ll be cutting cost
For many, the thought of a large hospital bill is enough to put off scheduling a checkup. But checkups could actually save you plenty of money in the long run as they help to minimize the risk of potential health issues that will lower the risks for surgery or more extensive medical care in the future.
Many serious medical conditions can be diagnosed during regular medical check-ups and then treated and managed at a much lower cost than leaving a condition undiagnosed until it becomes more severe and then costs a fortune to treat. So, all-in-all, regular medical check-ups make sense, not only from a health point of view but from a financial one as well.
How often do you go for medical checkups?
