If you are healthy and are taking no medication, there is a chance that it has been quite a while since your last full body checkup. While it may seem unnecessary to consult a doctor unless you are ill, there are number of reasons why it is idea to get a medical checkup at least once a year.
Here are 9 reasons why you should opt for yearly medical checkup:
-
Helps Build a Relationship with Your Physician
Almost everyone thinks that they will never get sick, but it may still happen eventually. So, if you know your physician and they know you, then the doctor will be able to treat you more effectively. For example, if you are brought in with symptoms of an allergic reaction, your doctor will be able to treat you better, since they will be aware of your medical history.
-
Helps Establish Your Health Risk
If tour family has a history of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high cholesterol or any other significant disease, then chances are that you also might be at a risk for these conditions. There are a number of things you can do to lower the risk and one such thing is to for a medical health checkup every year. Any of these conditions can easily be caught before they become severe.
-
Blood Pressure Checks
It is advisable to track your blood pressure. In fact, it is recommended that everyone checks their blood pressure regardless of their health status. Keeping a tab on your blood pressure can help pick up conditions that can be easily treated, but can kill you if they remain unnoticed. A health checkup can help you keep a track of your blood pressure.
-
ECG
Most doctors refrain from doing ECG on younger folks who don’t have a specific cardiovascular complaint. However, it is advisable that everyone should get an ECG done to ensure that there is nothing wrong with one’s heart. Standard test health checkup packages include ECG, so you don’t have to worry about getting it done separately.
-
Standard Cancer Screening Tests
Most of these tests are part of health checkup packages and are quite important, as they can a save your life. These tests include:
- Pap Test – The test is done for evaluation for cervical cancer, which strikes young women and can be deadly. This test shouldn’t be missed.
- Colon Cancer – Colon cancer can be cured, but will kill you if it remains undetected. Colon Cancer screenings are usually done for people over the age of 50.
- Mammogram and Prostate Cancer Screening – These tests help in the detection and prevention of cancer and are standard tests under health checkup packages offered by leading hospitals.
-
To Get Peace of Mind
With easy access to the internet, whenever we have health questions and concerns, we turn to Google for answers, and while it can be a wonderful resource, more often than not, reading about health issues online can lead to unnecessary conclusions and fear. Remember, instead of surfing the net for a generic or incorrect answer, talk to your doctor and stop losing sleep over your doubts. A health checkup will not only clear your doubts, but will also give time to consult your doctor.
-
To Keep Depression in Check
Depression is more common than most people think and most of us might struggle with depression at one stage or another in our life. What’s worrying is that those suffering from depression won’t notice the symptoms themselves. But, having a routine health checkup with your doctor can help identify warning signs before they get worse.
-
Help Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Just like depression, insomnia is another disease that can affect any individual. While one might associate a poor night’s sleep with nothing serious, chronic sleep disorders can actually increase the long-term risks of medical ailments, like hypertension, depression, and diabetes. A regular health checkup can help identify the underlying cause of restless nights and you can get some help to ensure that you get a sound sleep.
-
As a Preventive Measure
Prevention sums up the basic idea of getting a health checkup done annually. Health protection and prevention is the basis of staying healthy for a lifetime. From simple blood tests and vaccines, your doctor can help you stay fit and healthy. Although going to a hospital for a medical checkup may seem like a hassle now, it will surely add years of good health to your life.
Hopefully, this list will be helpful in deciding how often you need to visit your doctor for a medical checkup and what kind things you should be discussing with your doctor when it comes to your health and fitness. Most doctors will agree that annual health checks are well worth the time and effort and can help you stay healthy and fit.
