Safeguarding Your Health: Why Your Annual Health Checkup Is A Must?

Alarmingly, one in every four people in the US did not go to their annual health checkup last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you’ve ever missed an appointment and are looking to make yourself healthier moving forward, be mindful that skipping out on your annual health check is not the way to go.

There are multiple reasons why going for an annual health checkup with your trusted physician should be a priority. Here are some of them:

1- Building A Better Relationship With Your Doctor

Only 29% of people around the world report having confidence in their healthcare providers, according to Gallup. As healthcare is a very personal matter, not trusting your doctor is detrimental to your overall care and health. Thankfully, going on your annual health checkup can help you build a better relationship with your doctor. Annual checkups often involve several examinations that provide multiple opportunities for you to assess if your current doctor is the one you wish to be a partner in your health and wellbeing. It is a good opportunity to change your doctor if you are uncomfortable and build a better relationship with your new one. Always remember that you are in control of who will help you maintain good health.

2- Getting A Current Assessment Of Your Health

Around one in every three adults across the world have multiple chronic illnesses, according to the Yale School of Public Health. If you are uncertain if you have a chronic condition, an annual health checkup can give you a current assessment of your health. Your doctor can ask you to submit blood samples and stool samples to determine your health condition. An annual checkup can inform you if you have any chronic bowel conditions and other health complaints that may need to be addressed. It also provides a good opportunity to ask your healthcare provider for recommendations for activities, vitamins, or medication that can help you improve your present health. Having a clear baseline of your present health condition will make it easier for your doctors to detect any changes to your health, as your records will be up to date.

3- Laying Groundwork For Better Long-Term Health

An annual health checkup is your tool to lay the groundwork for your prolonged health by giving you the information that you need. While prevention of conditions is ideal, early detection is the true key to better long-term health. Your doctor will normally include various cancer screening tests in an annual checkup, although this may be dependent on your age and gender. As you age, the tests that you will require will change as well. This is why getting an annual checkup is a must. Skipping it for a year or several years robs you of the opportunity for early detection that may end up saving your life.

4- Lowering Overall Healthcare Cost

The average healthcare cost of a person with chronic kidney disease with complications goes to about $7374 for each hospitalization, as published in the American Society of Nephrology Journal. Chronic kidney disease is wholly preventable. Other preventable chronic diseases include heart disease, lung disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease. Your annual checkup can let you know if you are on the path to preventable chronic diseases and can effectively lower your overall healthcare cost down the line by righting your diet or lifestyle. In the event that the development of any chronic disease is found, an annual checkup can help lower your healthcare costs by preventing any complications from arising by providing you with a guide.

5- Updating Immunizations

Getting vaccinations is a simple but effective way to prevent certain diseases. While most individuals will have a full course of vaccinations as infants, there are certain vaccinations that are only available once you have reached a certain age, like the HPV vaccine. Based on the findings of the CDC, around 80 million individuals are presently infected with HPV. HPV is also a link to potentially dangerous cancers. Other vaccinations that adults need to update include measles, whooping cough, tetanus, chickenpox, shingles, and pneumonia. Lastly, An annual checkup can give you the opportunity to update your vaccinations, so you do not leave yourself at risk.

Jennifer Kinn has written this article

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Seize Your Life Today staff

A group of professional writers with more than ten years of experience as freelance writers in five different categories: - Kids & Parenting - Health & Fitness - Beauty & Fashion - Arabian Corner - Solid Tips