Four Medical Appointments You Need Regularly

Most people think that if they’re not feeling sick, a doctor’s appointment or even a quick health checkup is unnecessary. But obviously, this isn’t the right thing to do. Routine or regular medical appointments are vital for maintaining good health.

Checkups are also important to detect potential ailments. If the problems are detected early, there will be more time for proper treatment to avoid major complications. And with early detection and quick prevention, you’re walking towards a longer and healthier life.

Here are the four major medical appointments you need every year.

Physical exam

A physical examination should be on top of your priority list. Ideally, you can have it annually. For this test, the doctors will check your vitals, such as your temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.

If you are visiting a new doctor, they will ask questions about your family’s medical history. And depending on your health and their findings, they might also perform blood work or other tests. If you already have a primary care doctor, schedule an annual appointment to stay in the best of health. They can also keep you updated on any medications or vaccinations you might need, as well as for disease management, if necessary.

When having your physical exams, don’t forget to update your doctor regarding any changes in your lifestyle. This will further help them assess potential issues or advise you on what things are bad or good for your body.

Dental checkup

Ideally, it’s advisable to visit your dentist every six months for oral checkups and basic cleaning. But of course, visiting more often is always better. Nevertheless, a visit to a dentist is an appointment that you should never ignore. One big reason for this is that oral health can affect your overall health.

Some unchecked oral conditions may affect the rest of your body. Medical conditions that can be linked to oral health include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis to name a few. The dentist will also check for signs of oral cancer, gum disease, and cavities that need to be taken care of immediately.

If you’re experiencing bruxism (extreme grinding of the teeth) or heavy snoring, they may suggest getting various dental solutions such as braces. For overbites, underbites or misaligned teeth, you can get bridges, implants, Invisalign treatment, or porcelain veneers to fix the problem

Vision exam

People wearing glasses or contacts (and even those who expect they should) need to visit an ophthalmologist regularly. But even if you don’t, getting an eye exam at least once every two years is highly advisable. Take note, though, that this is for people 18 to 60 years old who are not at risk of eye problems.

Depending on your family history and eye health, your ophthalmologist will ask you to visit every year. Generally, an eye doctor will check for signs of cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. Such eye diseases typically develop after you turn 40, so regular checkups are imperative for prevention.

There are also tons of other procedures that your eye doctor will suggest if you already have vision problems: laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) to correct astigmatism, farsightedness, or nearsightedness.

Skin checkup

Lastly, be sure to visit a dermatologist for your annual skin checkup. This is particularly recommended for people with a family history of skin cancer. As for individuals without risks of skin cancer, a visit every two years is suggested.

Dermatologists aren’t just there to help with your acne problems. They also do skin cancer screening to look for suspicious spots, moles, or lesions that must be carefully monitored over time. Other skin cancer factors may include light hair or eyes, fair skin, or skin that burns too quickly from sun exposure.

Basically, a dermatologist will perform a full-body scan and compare results from your previous skin exams to check for any changes. At the same time, they will tell you how often you should visit, depending on the result.

Another tip is that don’t forget to ask for pieces of advice on how to take care of your skin, depending on its type or color. This helps you determine the proper skincare routine or products to use.

Going to medical appointments regularly is recommended for everyone. This helps prevent getting serious health problems and saves you from big hospital bills.

There’s no right or wrong time to start taking care of yourself. A doctor’s appointment is not just for treating a disease. Find the right specialist, schedule your routine appointments, and take charge of your health today!

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