Last month, we wrote a post about the 5 Reasons Well-Care Visits Are Important for Kids. While a very important topic, it occurred to us that there are some mothers out there who need to heed the same advice when it comes to preventative and proactive care. Show of hands, ladies—how many of you have scheduled a well visit or a physical for yourself that didn’t involve growing a baby?
That’s what we thought.
Here are five reasons why you should get your appointment on the books.
- You get to know your doctor and vice versa.
We encourage adult physicals for the same reasons we encourage child well visits, so that we can learn more about and from each other. A strong relationship between patient and doctor means that there is greater ease of communication, which creates a meaningful dialogue with more specific symptom descriptions and evaluation, as well as a deeper understanding of family history and a patients unique health markers.
Like any relationship, the one with your physician requires trust, honesty, and full disclosure in order to produce the most beneficial results. If you find you don’t feel comfortable with the level of care you are receiving from your physician, it’s in your best interest to find a new doctor who fits your needs and personality better. It’s not personal; it’s your health. And it’s important.
- You save money.
You may think that going to the doctor when you don’t need to is a waste of money. We can assure you that it is not. Some health concerns can go largely undetected until they become very costly to manage, so preventing or finding early indicators of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and abnormal glucose levels can go along way toward better life quality and avoiding an expensive stay in the hospital.
- You learn what’s normal and what’s not.
Every body is different, and it’s important to know not only what is normal in human development, but also what is normal for you. Having consistent well visits helps establish your unique baseline, so your overall health can be more completely assessed. Your family history is a large part of what forms the map of your health; the other part is your lifestyle choices. It’s important to learn what you can control, and what you cannot, and how to make the best of both. Yes, it can be hard to learn that something isn’t right and needs to be treated, but it’s a lot better than the alternative.
- You set a good example.
We know that the last thing you probably want to do when you have free time is go to the doctor. (We get it—we’re parents, too, and naps are awesome). Making your health a priority sets the tone for your whole family; it shows you take your health seriously, both when you feel great and when you feel sick. It shows young children that going to the doctor is a normal part of life. And it gives your arguments some gristle when it comes to making everybody exercise and eat their vegetables.
- You don’t have to go that often.
The truth is, how often you see the doctor for a physical depends largely on your age, health, and risk factors. It may also depend on how often your insurance covers them (usually once a year, which underscores their importance). The information you receive during your appointment could prevent you from coming back until your next appointment—which could end up saving you time, stress, and sick days.
We hope this helps you make the decision to put your health high on the priority list this year. You are important; your family thinks so, we think so, and you should also think so. If you can’t remember the last time you went in for a preventative care visit, it probably means you should schedule your appointment. (Like today).