As the coronavirus pandemic continues to infect thousands of people each day, we are reminded again of the importance of keeping our minds and bodies healthy to avoid serious illnesses. This is why the threat of infectious diseases and grave health problems is more real now than ever.
Although you cannot see these minute enemies, there are plenty of steps that you can take to have and preserve a full and healthy life. Aside from leading an active lifestyle, maintaining a proper diet, and getting enough sleep, seeing your family doctor and having regular full-body check-ups are also essential. Full body check-ups often include a physical examination, blood tests, chest X-ray, kidney function tests, ECG, and urine examination, according to what the doctor will require.
Even if you feel perfectly fine today, here are four reasons it’s still a smart practice to consult a general doctor for check-ups at least once a year:
1. It helps detect serious diseases in its early stages
A regular full body check-up, which involves various laboratory tests, can help diagnose potential health problems before they worsen. Remember, some diseases are subtle, and they may only showing signs and symptoms at a later stage.
Depending on the results of your preliminary examination, your doctor might ask you to undergo further tests, which will then be overseen by a qualified physician. This is to ensure that they will arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
2. It helps you receive the treatment you need promptly
Finding serious diseases at an early stage is more likely to be treated successfully as you will receive the treatment you need before it spreads to the other parts of the body or causes further damage. In case a sign of the disease is detected, your family doctor will guide you through the next steps, whether they’re taking medications or undergoing preventive procedures.
3. It helps you keep an accurate medical history
Getting check-ups for the first time will require you to give information about your family’s medical history of ailments. Your private GP will also need a history of your past medications and medical procedures to add to your records. These details are what serve as their reference for your future visits.
Moving forward, they will update your records and take note of your lifestyle and habits. Regularly checks-ups and these records help your doctor know more about your health and well-being, enabling them to give you the best treatment and medical advice that is relevant to your health condition and your needs.
4. It helps you maintain a healthy lifestyle
Aside from making sure that you’re healthy inside and out, regular full body check-ups also inspire you to lead and maintain a healthy lifestyle. After getting your results, your doctor will advise you of what you have to watch out for and what you can do to get better results for your next visit. They will also give pointers, such as what food items to avoid or what exercises to do.
You will naturally find yourself wanting to improve and see positive changes on your next visit, so there’s that extra inspiration to follow your family doctor’s advice and stick to healthy habits.
Conclusion
Do not wait until you’re seriously ill before seeing your private GP. Your health is your wealth, and you should take care and invest in it by having regular full body check-ups. They not only help protect you from diseases, but they also inspire you to lead a full and healthy life.
If you require primary care in North Bergen, Secaucus, USA, our medical professionals at Garden State Medical Group will be happy to accommodate you. Get in touch with us today to start a telemedicine call with our PCPs or schedule your regular health checks!