Why are Health Checkups Important?

While health checkups may seem like simple visits with a physician, they are crucial for preventing serious illnesses. During your checkup, the medical staff will look for any potential health issues that may be developing. This visit does more than simply reduce your chances of getting sick. A doctor can identify life-threatening conditions and take preemptive action to ensure you get the treatment you need.

Without health checkups, you would be at risk of living with serious illnesses without knowing. Treatment might be ineffective by the time you see the symptoms of these conditions.

About health checkups

While you may feel like you are completely healthy, the only way you can know for sure is to make an appointment for a complete health checkup. Health checkups are your primary defense against anything from the flu to rare diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, by getting the right health services, screenings and treatments, you are taking steps that help your chances of living a longer, healthier life.

What does a health checkup include?

A health checkup tends to include but is not limited to the following procedures or screenings:

• Overall physical examination
• Blood pressure check
• Cholesterol check
• BMI test
• Cancer screenings
• Checking eyesight
• Checking hearing
• Getting any necessary immunizations

Some of the more common health conditions or diseases a medical professional is looking for when performing a health checkup include diabetes, cancer, and high blood cholesterol. An overall evaluation of your lifestyle will also be evaluated to determine any harmful habits you have. A few bad habits that physicians discourage are smoking, not getting enough exercising, and not making healthy food choices.

If the medical staff find something concerning, they can prescribe medication, order more testing or refer you to a specialist. While this may make you nervous, prompt treatment is better than waiting for the symptoms and the condition to worsen.

About urgent care services

More people are choosing to go to an urgent care center when they are not able to make an appointment with their primary care provider. While many people visit these walk-in clinics for emergencies, they also provide services like basic health checkups. Walking into a clinic when you have some free time may be more convenient than scheduling an appointment with your doctor weeks in advance.

Some urgent care centers even provide onsite services to make your visit go smoother. Onsite services mean that you do not have to go elsewhere to get things like bloodwork or X-rays done.

Frequently asked questions

Regardless of where you decide to have your health checkups, certain questions are likely to arise. 

How often do you need to have a health checkup?

For people who are generally healthy, doctors typically recommend a checkup at least once a year. If you have an underlying medical condition that needs further monitoring, your doctor may recommend that you receive checkups more often. This is something that you should verify with your physician as it is determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Why should you have health checkups when you feel good and do not have any symptoms?

Many diseases start out without showing any symptoms at all. The early signs are so subtle you may not notice them. Nevertheless, in most cases, your chances of successful treatment are much better if you start treating them early in the process. Health checkups allow doctors to identify early signs of disease that may not be evident to you. The doctor may then have to perform more testing to confirm the diagnosis.

If you wait to see a doctor until you have symptoms, it means that the disease has had time to progress. It may be more difficult to treat a condition that has progressed, and your chances of a successful outcome may not be as good. 

Is it time for you to schedule a health checkup?

When was the last time you had your checkup? Now that you understand the importance of having regular health checkups, you should make time for these visits. Whether you feel healthy or not, only trained professionals can determine your well-being. If you have a busy schedule or simply want to avoid going to a doctor’s office, visit our urgent care center for your checkup.

Conclusion

While many diseases can be treated effectively, it is preferable to prevent an illness if possible. Regular health checkups allow your doctor to establish a baseline for you. This makes it easier to recognize deviations from your baseline that may be early warnings of diseases. 

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