Importance Of Annual Physicals

By Rajesh Mehra, DO, FAAFP

Chantilly Family Practice Center

. http://www.chantillyfamilypracticecenter.com

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Importance Of Annual Physicals

A routine physical can detect problems early on, while treatment is still an option, or while a diagnosis can be easily made. Putting off a physical can lead to serious complications, because many illnesses and diseases have no physical symptoms early on.

This is why it's so important to stay on top of your health, and make sure that you're having regular check-ups. It can help to treat a problem if caught early enough, and can even avoid the problems from escalating into something more serious.

Sometimes a regular physical can detect warning signs for more serious disorders that, without treatment, could cause much more serious diseases or problems. To give you an example, a physical will often reveal high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Both of these conditions can be treated, but if left too long without treatment, can become even more of a concern.

Are you experiencing a little problem that you feel is just “too small” to make an individual doctor's appointment for? Well, a physical is a great time to mention some of the little concerns you have in regards to your health.

Maybe you have really dry skin, a small rash, or maybe you've just been feeling very tired and run-down lately. This is the perfect opportunity to bring these issues up with your doctor, and bring you some peace of mind. Maybe some of the “little” things that you don't think are important can give a doctor some clue as to something more serious going on which requires attention.

Women need to see a doctor every year. It's necessary to have an annual pap smear and breast examination, along with all of the other routine medical tests of a physical. There will be other tests, such as mammograms, which will be needed from time to time as well, especially after a certain age.

Men, however, don't need to have such frequent visits. Although it has generally been suggested that men go once a year as well, new research has actually pointed out that it isn't necessary to have them as often.

Now they are being told that they need to have a physical two times in their twenties, three times in their thirties, four times in their forties and every year from then on. Remember, though, that the more you go for a physical, the healthier you'll be, so going every year wouldn't do any harm.

Obviously, we all want to live long, healthy lives, so why do we put off going for our routine physicals? These physicals are what can ensure that we are doing our part to prevent illness, and receive treatment as early as possible if needed. So, don't put off something as important as getting a check-up, when it just may save your life.