No matter your age or the stage you are in life, annual physical exams are essential to your health. Visiting your doctor or primary care provider for regular preventive maintenance is one of the best ways of identifying and treating problems before they worsen. In addition, getting medical advice at a health care clinic offering a physical check-up near you helps to track your progress towards your health goals.
This article explains five reasons why annual exams are important, as well as where you can have your annual physical exams.
1. Assessing Your Oral Health
Depending on your age, lifestyle, risk factor, and family history, your doctor may order some blood tests and screenings during the physical exam. They may include:
- Blood pressure screening to measure the force of your blood against the arteries.
- A blood glucose level test will also be done to measure the sugar in your blood.
- Cholesterol screening to measure cholesterol present in your blood.
- Osteoporosis screening uses an imaging test called DEXA scan to check for osteoporosis.
- Body mass index calculation. It uses your height and weight to determine your level of nutrition.
- These tests help to identify underlying conditions such as diabetes and heart disease even if you do not have any symptoms. It also enables your primary care provider to recommend follow-up testing, exercise, lifestyle, and diet changes to maintain your health.
2. Updating Your Vaccinations
Vaccinations are not just meant for kids; adults also need to keep their vaccines up to date to prevent various diseases. Your doctor at an urgent care near you will review the vaccinations you have had and any risk factors during your physical exams and recommend immunizations such as:
- Covid-19 vaccine, for example, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, helps prevent any serious illness related to Covid.
- Tdap Vaccine. A combination of tetanus, Diptheria, and whooping cough. Pregnant women should get this vaccine to protect their newborns.
- The flu vaccine is recommended for people aged six months or older
- Pneumonia Vaccine to prevent infections, especially if you have asthma, are older than 65, or are a smoker.
- HPV vaccine to protect against cancers that are caused by human papillomavirus.
- The shingles vaccine, which is recommended for most adults above the age of 50
- Hepatitis B vaccine in case you have diabetes
3. Updating Your Medical Records
A lot can change in one year, so updating your medical records is important. The annual physical exam is the best time to let your doctor know of the changes that could affect your health, such as:
- Allergies from food, environment, or medications.
- Medication changes. Provide the current medications that you are taking
- Social history includes lifestyle habits, alcohol intake, smoking, and sexual activity.
- Family history. Your doctor will ask if any of your family members has developed any new health problem.
- Mental health. Your practitioner may screen for anxiety or depression
4. Screening For Cancer
Cancer screening during your physical exams increases the chance of your doctor detecting any early stages of cancer when it is most treatable. Your health care provider will consider any risk factors and age during the annual physical exam and may recommend cancer screening, including skin, breast, cervical, prostate, colon, or lung cancer.
5. Establishing a Relationship With Your Doctor
Your doctor is your health care partner. A physical exam is a great way of knowing your doctor and allows your doctor to get to know you. Though you might see each other when you have a minor illness or injuries, these visits only focus on treating specific issues.
During your visit to our urgent care clinic for an annual physical exam, the focus will be on your overall wellness and the preventive care needed to stay healthy. Your doctor will also have plenty of time to address any concerns that you may have or answer any questions about the medications, treatment plans, or any other oral health issue.
Schedule your annual physical exam in Houston will be the best thing to do for your health. We have a walk-in clinic where you do not need to have broken an appointment to access the services. Visit Neumed Modern Urgent care today for your annual physical exam.
