Reasons to Get a Regular Health and Wellness Checkup

Posted by PRINCETON LONGEVITY CENTER on March 19th, 2020

People book a doctor's appointment for different reasons. Some only go when they experience symptoms and are looking for a specific diagnosis and treatment. But, regular medical and wellness checkups are essential to maintaining one's health.

Regular checkups usually mean twice a year or quarterly, depending on different factors. If your family history shows some health risks or if you have a chronic disease, you may have to visit the doctor more frequently. This will allow your physician to keep track of your progress and prescribe necessary medications and treatments.

Read on to learn about the different reasons to get regular health and wellness checkups.

Save Money

If you avoid seeing your doctor regularly, the cost of your visit will most likely have a higher price due to diagnostic testing, prescription medications, or referrals to a specialist. Annual checkups help your physician detect conditions before they become an expensive problem.

If you've developed a chronic condition, and it's discovered at a later stage, the doctor may run extra tests, prescribe plenty of medications, and require more frequent visits. This means additional costs that could've been prevented early on.

Early Detection

When it comes to health, early detection can increase your chances of living a long and happy life. It helps your doctor diagnose a disease before it reaches a dangerous stage. They'll run tests to help identify any risks at the onset, making it easier for them to mitigate or cure it. Screenings are done based on your age, sex, history, and lifestyle.

Some screenings done in regular checkups are colonoscopies, mammograms, and prostate exams. Although these tests may seem unpleasant, they're essential for the early detection of certain diseases, especially cancer.

Preventive Care

Apart from detecting conditions, you may already have, regular checkups can also help prevent the development of serious diseases such as diabetes and high cholesterol.

During a regular checkup, the doctor will check your:

• Blood pressure
• Breathing
• Weight
• Reflexes
• Heart rate

It may also include bloodwork, which will check things like your blood cell count and sugar levels. The results will help the doctor identify potential conditions that you may develop, allowing them to prescribe preventive medications and treatments.

Identify Stress-Related Problems

Stress is known as one of the root causes of multiple physical and mental issues. It can lead to conditions such as hypertension, weight problems, heart disease, asthma, depression, and anxiety.

Regular checkups allow you to get the advice and support you need from your doctor that'll help you steer clear of stress-related problems that can cause hormone imbalance.

Regular visits to a preventive medicine and wellness clinic play a big part in keeping a healthy mind and body. These checkups ensure that your doctors are updated on your general wellbeing and that you're getting the attention and treatment you need.