10 Reasons Why You May Need a Medical Checkup

Many Americans are of the belief that annual physical exams are not only a waste of time but also healthcare dollars; however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Annual exams have led to the early diagnosis of illnesses that has saved countless lives. Also, these exams can help you stay abreast of changes that may be occurring in your body like the onset of diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, for example. Of course, if you’re prescribed medication during your annual exam, consider visiting a reputable Canadian pharmacy that places your health and well-being at the center of everything they do, PricePro pharmacy.

10 Benefits Of An Annual Physical Exam

1. Health Statistics

An annual health exam allows physicians to establish a baseline relative to your overall health. In doing so, your physician will either give you the all clear or start you on a course of treatment aimed at managing or treating a diagnosed health problem. For example, if your cholesterol levels fall outside of what is considered normal, further testing may be needed to reveal possible underlying problems and also to prescribe the best treatment. The same holds true when there is no sign of trouble in that you would be given a clean bill of health and likely advised to keep up the good work. It’s also worth noting that most annual health exams include height and weight assessment to make sure that the two are proportionate, not mention cholesterol/blood pressure checks as a means of measuring your overall health.

2. Assessing Risks For Disease

One of the biggest benefits that come with scheduling routine health exams is the opportunity to identify diseases and other health problems early, which can be aided by providing your physician with a history of diseases that you know run in your family. As such, your physician will be able to screen for these diseases as part of your exam. Of course, this doesn’t rule out testing for commonly diagnosed diseases like cancer and diabetes, for example.

3. Vaccinations

As adults, we may not need anywhere near the number of vaccinations we needed as children; however, there are some that can be beneficial to us as adults, including booster shots, flu shots, and other vaccines that ensure our good health. For example, tetanus shots, a bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasms, is recommended every 10 years for people of all ages. It is also worth mentioning that your annual exams allow your physician to keep tabs on your vaccination records, allowing them to recommend renewals as needed.

4. Lifestyle

In visiting your physician regularly, you’re also able to gather information that may encourage you to adopt a healthier lifestyle, which is especially helpful for those looking to lose weight or have a desire to quit smoking.

The need for regular health exams is essential for good health, but this is especially true for women. To that point, the remainder of this article will focus on how regular health exams can benefit women specifically.

5. Menopause

Whether you’re entering or settling into menopause, this is a good time to make scheduling regular health exams your top priority, especially since 70 percent of women will experience significant menopausal symptoms during this time. These symptoms typically include fragmented sleep and hot flashes, which may prompt your physician to prescribe estrogen therapy as a means of providing you with some much-need relief.

6. Osteoporosis

As part of an annual exam, older adults, particularly women, should be screened for osteoporosis as the condition that affects more than 34 million adults in the United States, and it is most prevalent among those who are over the age of 40. If you’re not familiar with osteoporosis, it is a condition that leads to the low bone mass and could cause bones to become brittle, increasing the likelihood of fracture. In fact, studies have shown that 1 in 2 women over the age of 50 will experience a fracture that stems from osteoporosis. Needless to say, such an event can be avoided, provided you’re taking medication that improves bone density, which further emphasizes the importance of annual health exams.

7. Ovarian Cysts

Some women may be prone to ovarian cysts, which is easily treated; however, because ovarian cysts are usually asymptomatic, most women are not aware of them until the condition worsens. If not treated, an ovarian cyst can cause pressure, bloating, swelling, and pain, primarily in the abdomen. That said, the progression of this condition can make treatment a far more challenging proposition when you do seek medical treatment.

8. Breast Cancer

An annual health exam, which includes a mammogram, can help detect breast cancer early when it is most treatable. As part of a mammogram, a physician will be able to detect breast lumps that may be indicative of cancer and may be able to order additional tests or arrange a referral with an oncologist if necessary.

9. Mental Health

Although the majority of this article has focused on physical health, mental is equally important. During your annual health exam, your physician may include a mental health evaluation as part of your overall screening, which can help identify patterns of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. Of course, if these preliminary tests come back positive, your physician will likely arrange a referral with a mental health expert.

10. Medication Evaluation

Although it is not commonly associated with an annual health screening, some physicians will offer pharmacogenetics testing, which enables them to outline targeted treatments and medications that are based on patient genetics. This customized treatment is immensely beneficial to those whose genetics predisposes them to certain diseases. Also, this type of testing ensures that the medications that you’re taking are effective and are appropriate, based on your diagnosis.

In summation, it is always a good idea that to schedule an annual health screening; they don’t take very much time and, in many cases, can improve your health and well-being.