Regular health check ups are important preventive care appointments that people of all ages and health circumstances should prioritize. In addition to seeing a doctor when they are sick, seeing a doctor for these preventive appointments helps people avoid sickness and stay healthy. Here is a closer look at what is involved in health check-ups and why they matter.
When people are feeling sick, they will go to the doctor for diagnosis and treatment. However, preventive care is just as important, and that is the purpose of health check-ups. These are regular appointments people attend with doctors to evaluate the status of their health and make sure they are up-to-date on things like screenings and vaccinations. How often someone needs a health check-up depends on several factors, including the patient's age, sex, general health, family health history, and risk factors for certain diseases.
People will typically see their primary care provider for these appointments. Primary care providers are general practitioners or internal medicine doctors responsible for monitoring a patient's general health and referring them to specialists when needed. A primary care provider is familiar with the patient's unique health history and circumstances and keeps track of the patient's medications, conditions, and health screening schedule.
Health check-ups are an opportunity to detect health problems early, monitor chronic conditions, ensure a patient is up-to-date on vaccinations, and advise a patient on health and lifestyle.
Early detection usually involves a range of routine health screenings designed to catch diseases and other health problems early when they are easier and usually less expensive to treat. For example, early cancer detection can mean less invasive treatments and even be life-saving. Detecting prediabetes is another example. Catching diabetes in the prediabetes phase can allow the patient to take steps to avoid developing diabetes altogether. Common health screenings can include:
Additional screenings may be required depending on the patient's circumstances. A patient’s primary care provider will recommend the type and frequency of screenings based on a patient's age, gender, risk of certain conditions, and other health factors.
It is not uncommon for people of all ages and health circumstances to suffer from chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and arthritis. During a health check-up, a primary care provider can check in with the patient on their symptoms, run tests, and examine the patient to see how the patient is managing their condition. The provider may suggest changes to the patient’s medications or treatment depending on the results.
Vaccinations are medical treatments typically given by injection that help the body fight off certain infectious diseases. The vaccine helps the body’s immune systems recognize and fight infectious viruses or bacteria so the person does not become sick, or if they do become sick, the disease is less harmful. Like most things with primary care, recommended vaccines depend on the patient's age, risk factors, family history, and general health circumstances. Many vaccines last a lifetime, but some, such as those for tetanus or seasonal flu, require occasional booster shots.
Health check-ups are good opportunities for primary care providers to advise their patients on how to best take care of their health. This is not only to prevent illness but also to help the patient feel their best. Doctors can review test results with patients and discuss what they mean. If the doctor is concerned about a patient's numbers, such as their blood pressure, lipid count, or weight, they can discuss this issue with the patient and talk about what can be done to bring these numbers back into a healthy range. During these appointments, patients can ask their doctor for advice on healthy diets and lifestyles, as well as information on any treatments or procedures they are considering.
Regular health check-ups are crucial for staying healthy. It can be tempting to see a doctor only when sick, but seeing a doctor for these regular appointments is just as important. At Texas Urgent Care & Imaging Center, we are dedicated to providing quality primary care to restore and protect the wellness of our patients. If it has been a while since your last health check-up, call our team today.
Request an appointment here: https://tx-urgentcare.com or call Texas Urgent Care & Imaging Center at (832) 941-1894 for an appointment in our New Caney office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Health Check Ups in New Caney, TX.
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