Posted on August 22, 2022
Health Care is Self Care
There are many forms self care can take. Whether you enjoy relaxing in a hot bath or going for an early morning run, these healthy outlets contribute to your overall well-being. However, one often overlooked aspect of self care is an annual visit to the doctor. If you’ve been skipping your appointments, discover the many benefits of scheduling regular checkups with your physician.
5 Benefits of Regular Checkups
You might think that as long as you’re feeling healthy, there’s no need to visit the doctor. Though your needs may not be urgent, these are some of the top reasons regular visits help maintain your health in the long run.
Establish a Positive Relationship
Health care is often highly personal. It’s not information you share with just anyone, and it can be difficult to discuss with a stranger. That’s why establishing a relationship with a primary care provider is so important. When you have a physician you know and trust, it’s easier to talk about sensitive issues. Plus, when you see the same doctor on a regular basis, they understand your health history and can help identify potential issues more quickly.
Assess Health Risks
Just because you have a family history of certain health conditions doesn’t mean you have to accept them. Your primary care doctor can work with you to identify your risk and help you find solutions to lower that risk or prevent it entirely. Even simple monitoring of health markers like blood pressure or heart rate help keep your body in balance.
Put Your Mind at Ease
The internet offers a wealth of information. Unfortunately, sometimes it does more harm than good. Instead of sending yourself into a spiral of paranoia by self-diagnosing with online articles, turn to the professionals for peace of mind. The primary care doctors at Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa have the experience and expertise to get to the bottom of your concerns, help you understand what’s happening, and determine healthy solutions.
Long-Term Prevention
Visiting the doctor regularly is both proactive and preventative. Routine screenings like annual physicals, colonoscopies, mammograms, and lab tests not only measure your overall health, but also help catch chronic disease in its earliest stages. By investing in your health now, your doctor can help you take the appropriate steps to minimize the impact and risk over time.
Accomplish Your Goals
Beyond helping you when you’re not feeling well, your doctor should be a trusted partner in helping accomplish your goals. Whether that’s weight loss, a healthier diet, or identifying an approachable exercise routine, your primary care physician can help you establish a path to success and be there to lend support every step of the way.
Common Signs You Should See a Doctor
It can be tempting to tough it out and try to power through an illness or injury. While symptoms sometimes clear up on their own, delaying treatment can lead to larger problems down the road. If you’re debating seeing your doctor, here are some common signs you should pick up the phone and schedule an appointment.
- Persistent fever. When you’re sick, a fever can help your body naturally fight infection. But, if the fever persists for more than three days or exceeds 103 degrees, this could be an indicator of a more serious infection.
- Sudden weight loss. Small fluctuations in weight happen to just about everyone. When the weight starts to drop fast or without reason, there’s likely another underlying cause that your doctor should help you evaluate.
- Difficulty breathing. A high-altitude adventure in Colorado is a normal reason to be short of breath. If you find yourself short of breath during normal activities, it’s time to talk to your doctor. It could be indicative of conditions like asthma or bronchitis.
- Severe pain. Severe pain that doesn’t have a specific, known cause should be addressed immediately. Especially if the pain is in the chest, abdomen, or pelvis. These could be early warning signs of serious conditions like heart attack or an inflamed appendix.
- Head trauma. When you experience a blow to the head, it’s not something to be taken lightly. Concussions are a serious condition that can disrupt your brain function. Your doctor can help diagnose the situation and help you address symptoms safely.
Though this list covers several situations where it’s important to see a doctor, there are many others where you should seek immediate treatment. Should you have concerns, it’s better to play it safe and contact a health care professional right away.
Schedule an Appointment
The Primary Care & Wellness Center at Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa brings together all aspects of primary care for everyone in the family. We accept patients of all ages and our caring, dedicated doctors can provide help with a wide range of medical conditions. Schedule your appointment today and let us show you why PCI is ranked in the top 10% for patient satisfaction.