Only about one in five adults gets an annual physical, and there’s been some debate in recent years as to whether or not there’s good reason to actually have a yearly exam. However, at Nexclin Medicine, Dr. Naima Cheema and our staff believe there are important reasons to have regular physical exams, such as preventive medicine and developing a stronger relationship with your healthcare team.
There’s little evidence to suggest that an annual wellness visit will help you live a longer life or prevent major health issues such as cardiovascular disease. We don’t think you should have routine physical exams to extend your life in that way.
However, there are many important reasons to have routine visits with Dr. Cheema when you’re not sick. For example, we can develop a picture of your baseline health and see changes over time. And that, in turn, can help you understand what you can do to live your healthiest life.
A recent review of 32 previous studies on the value of annual wellness visits found that routine visits offer numerous benefits, particularly when it comes to how patients feel. They also provide a way to detect and treat chronic problems like hypertension and depression more efficiently.
In addition, annual physical exams provide a convenient way for you to get answers to your health questions. You probably have questions that don’t rise to the level of making an appointment, but a routine visit is the perfect opportunity to ask them. You may find it convenient to jot those questions down so you remember them during your annual appointment.
An annual wellness visit is a great time for Dr. Cheema to provide preventive care, as well. By providing preventive services, we help you reach an optimal level of health. Rather than simply treating symptoms as they arise, preventive care is a way to help you avoid ever having symptoms in the first place.
Preventive care includes screenings for prediabetes, high blood pressure, lipid levels, nutrition, and more. It’s a holistic approach to overall good health. Through prevention, you can avoid many medical issues and maintain a high level of health.
If you see your doctor for 10 minutes every few years when you get sick, you probably don’t feel like they know you at all. But, if you see your doctor for a half hour or so every year, you have the chance to develop a relationship. When you know your doctor and she knows you, you get a higher quality of care.
We encourage you to make your appointment for an annual wellness visit this month — get the new year off to a healthy start! Schedule online or by phone, and we look forward to seeing you.
