Long-ago people used to visit a doctor when they were only sick. Nowadays, people seek medical advice on improving their overall health. Their goal is to minimize the risks of diseases through physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and diet. Doctors also advise patients to go for regular checkups to remain healthy. They are stressing on the importance of prevention as a way of reducing the progress of serious diseases. Also, to reduce the number of patients that require surgeries or medical treatments.
You can find a local private GP of your choice to go for regular checkups. Regular checkups help in finding health conditions before they progress into serious health issues. When you visit a doctor regularly, they can detect any disease or complications early. The earlier the disease is detected, the higher the chances of getting proper treatment and avoiding complications. Getting proper treatment and screening will enable you to live a healthier and longer life.
What a Medical Checkup Entails
A medical checkup is also known as a physical exam; it involves a regular test conducted by a medical practitioner to assess an individual’s health. A series of medical examinations helps an individual to address health-related issues early and to know which part of the body to give more attention to. Medical checkups begin with examining the medical and personal medical history and other information, including current medication, health conditions, previous diseases and much more.
Medical Checkups Include the Following:
- Checkup of the throat, mouth, eyes, nose and ears
- Checking for lymph nodes in the underarms, neck and groin.
- Measuring the weight and height of an individual
- Examination of the bowels, lungs and heart
- Checking the blood pressure
- Laboratory tests to check for conditions such as glucose levels and cholesterol and urinalysis to check urinary tract and kidney health
In some cases, advanced screening is necessary; this includes X-rays, ECG, and CT scans, depending on the patient’s specific needs and medical history.
The Benefits of Regular Medical Checkups
The following are the reasons why you need to pay a doctor a regular visit and get a physical examination.
- Reduced Healthcare Cost
Medical cost tends to increase, especially when the illness is diagnosed later because it was not detected early. It is better to go for regular medical checkups to manage and prevent diseases at their early stages.
- Increased Chance of Cure
Some serious diseases may exist in the body without any symptoms manifesting. Early detection helps the individual get proper treatment on time, speeding up the recovery process.
- Detect Serious Health Conditions
Medical checkups allow the doctor to detect signs of particular diseases that the patient may be unaware of. With regular screening, the medical practitioner may detect life-threatening conditions and offer treatment to reduce the risks before it’s too late.
- Improved Health
Regular checkup helps a person to have access to important information that will assist in monitoring emotional, mental and physical health. The information helps you make better decisions and take action for your general well-being.
- Increased Lifespan
A good doctor will assist the patient in taking the proper steps to stay healthy. This will include advice on maintaining a generally healthy lifestyle and good habits.
