If you are a healthy person, you may not see the need to go see a doctor. If you have no chief complains, what is the point in taking time out of your day and paying a copay just to have a doctor tell you that you are perfectly healthy, right? This couldn't be more wrong. Seeing a doctor regularly for preventative healthcare is just as important for a healthy person as it is for a person who is in poor health for several reasons.
General Health Maintenance
You should think about your body the way that you do your car. Just because your car isn't giving you any problems would you avoid having your oil changed or would you avoid having a tune-up? Your probably wouldn't. The same is true with your body. Just because you aren't sick, it doesn't mean that your body doesn't need to be checked and maintained regularly. During an annual exam, you will get any booster shots that you are due for. Even in adulthood, you need to be vaccinated. Regular screenings are necessary to identify certain conditions early such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and even cancer. Just because you think you are healthy, you could be in the early stages of any of these conditions. When you make an annual appointment with The Medical Specialty Center, Your Everyday Health Care Clinic, you can be sure that you are in good health.
Knowing Your Numbers and Providing a Baseline
According to WebMD, a survey was performed nationwide regarding cholesterol testing. The study found that 47 percent of the people hadn't had their cholesterol checked within the past year before receiving the survey. There are also plenty of people who had never had their blood pressure checked. If you have never had important things like this checked, your doctor won't have a baseline. When you make preventative care a priority in your life, your doctor will have a baseline to compare over time. It is a good idea for this baseline to be created when you are still healthy. If your doctor finds that the numbers are worsening over time, you can make the necessary changes in your diet and lifestyle before its too late.
Creating a Medical Record
Most healthcare professionals today use an electronic medical record (EMR). This is where all of your medical visits are documented electronically and entered into the system. Hospitals and healthcare professionals all over the country will have access to your records. If you are in an accident and you are unconscious, you won't be able to let the doctors know about your medical history or about any allergies that you might have. When you see the doctor regularly, your EMR will always be up to date, ensuring that you get the best care possible in any situation.
Establishing a Trusted Doctor-Patient Relationship
If you are going to be able to get the best care possible, you need to have a good relationship with your doctor. It is important that you can trust your doctor. It is also important that your doctor can really understand you. If you have certain feelings regarding medication or surgery, your doctor will fully understand and do what they can to create a treatment plan that you can be happy with. Also, if you are sick after business hours and your call your doctor's answering service, you can be sure that you will be connected to your doctor who you have a good relationship with and who knows you. When you see your doctor at Orchard Hospital regularly, they will know your history and your values which will help them to treat you.
You Might Not Be as Healthy As You Think
According to the United States Census Bureau, Americans today are visiting the doctor less frequently than ever before. Some avoid going to the doctor because they are uninsured or underinsured. Some don't speak English and they are worried about the language barrier so they avoid seeing the doctor. Some don't want to take the time to travel to see the doctor for an annual physical. Finally, there are some people who don't see the doctor regularly because they believe that they are healthy. It is not uncommon for a person to think that they are healthy but they really aren't. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or any other condition, you might not know because there are many medical conditions that don't show any symptoms before they have progressed. Just because you think that you are perfectly healthy, it doesn't mean that you are. After the age of 40, you should get an annual physical exam and routine blood work at least every 2 years. When you see a doctor every year for preventative care, you can be sure that you truly are healthy.
Preventative health is very important whether you believe that you are healthy or not. If you are healthy, you will need annual screenings and routine tests to make sure that you stay that way. If you aren't healthy but believe you are, seeing the doctor each year for preventative care is ever more important. The sooner any medical condition is caught, the sooner you can start treatment. This will improve your overall health for years to come.
