Even if a person is in good health and does not have any health problems, many men and women do not schedule an annual physical. However, until their advanced stages, many health conditions and chronic diseases do not exhibit symptoms. You and your healthcare provider may be able to detect these conditions earlier, when they are easier to treat and manage. Danvers Family Doctors, P.C. urges you to schedule your annual physical today because of this.
About a third of people who have a chronic illness don’t know they have it. For instance, did you know that high blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because it affects about 30% of Americans?
The condition of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, was given this name because it frequently causes no symptoms until it has already ravaged your heart and arteries. Having your blood pressure measured as part of an annual physical exam is the only way to know.
A physical exam every year can also help you keep track of your health in other ways:
Scheduling the right screenings and tests
Getting the right tests and screenings scheduled as you get older, conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol are more common. Your provider can order the appropriate tests for you based on your age and health when you go in for a physical exam every year. Your doctor will therefore know which tests to order when you have a family history of certain diseases.
For instance, most adults are encouraged to get a colonoscopy, a colorectal cancer screening, at 50. However, you should get that particular screening before you turn 50 if you have a history of colon cancer in your family.
Sharing any questions or concerns
Bringing up any questions or concerns, even if you’re feeling fine right now. You might have had a cough that lasted for months toward the end of last year. Or maybe you’ve been wondering why you’re sleeping more or whether you’re getting bigger or smaller. Your annual physical is the best time to talk about your health concerns and ask questions so that you and your doctor can keep up with your health properly.
Keeping up with your vaccinations
Are you up to date on all of your shots? Since you’re a grown-up doesn’t mean you needn’t bother with immunizations to safeguard you against specific ailments.
If you do get the flu, getting vaccinated against it once a year can help you avoid it or reduce the duration of your illness. In addition, adults over 50 should get two shots against shingles, and you should get a tetanus shot every 10 years.
Early detection of health conditions
When you go to your doctor for an annual physical, they can see if your health has changed in a way that could indicate a problem or disease at its earliest stage. Early determination implies early therapy and a higher endurance rate for some tumors and other medical issue.
Call Danvers Family Doctors, D.C. in Danvers, Massachusetts, for more information or to set up your annual physical exam.