Schedule regular visits with your doctor

Annual Body Check

Seeing your doctor once a year for a body check, even if you’re feeling healthy, is important to detect any health issues early on. During your body check, your doctor will check your vitals, including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. They will also evaluate your medical history, diet, exercise regime and lifestyle habits. Regular body checks, especially as you age, help identify health risks and spot health conditions in early, more treatable stages.

Age-appropriate health screenings

In addition to general body checks, you need health screenings/ body checks tailored to your age and risk factors. Discuss a screening schedule with your doctor, which may include:

• Cholesterol check: For most adults, especially after age 35.
• Blood pressure: At each doctor visit or at least once every 2 years.
• Diabetes screening: Especially if you are overweight or over age 45. Includes blood sugar tests.
• Cancer screenings: Such as mammograms, Pap smears, colonoscopy, prostate cancer screening. Start at age 50 or earlier based on risk.
• STD tests: For sexually active adults under age 25.
• Eye exams: Especially after age 60 as your risk of conditions like glaucoma and cataracts increases.
• Hearing tests: Recommended for ages 18 and older, and especially after age 50.
• Bone density scan: For women after menopause and older men at risk of osteoporosis.
• Vaccinations: Flu shot annually, tetanus booster every 10 years, shingles vaccine after age 60.

Early detection saves lives

Many serious health conditions, like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes do not have obvious symptoms in the early stages. Regular health checkups / body checks aim to detect these issues early on when the chances for successful treatment and improved outcomes are highest.

According to research, regular health screening/ body check for diseases like breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colon cancer have significantly improved early detection rates and reduced mortality from these diseases. Detecting health issues at an early stage before symptoms start means you can get ahead of the problem and in many cases avoid complications or a health crisis down the line.

When health issues are caught early, treatment is often less intensive and more effective. Finding out you have a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure at a routine checkup means you can start treatment and lifestyle changes right away to manage the condition and prevent severe health consequences.

It reduces health risks

By scheduling regular visits to your doctor when you’re symptom-free, you are taking important preventive steps to stay healthy in the long run. Your doctor can evaluate changes in your personal health risks like blood pressure and cholesterol levels and recommend appropriate lifestyle changes, treatment or medication as needed to avoid health issues before they arise.

Your doctor may notice unhealthy habits or make recommendations around:

• Diet and exercise: To maintain a healthy weight and lower disease risks.
• Smoking or drug and alcohol use: And refer you to resources to help you quit.
• Mental health: Screen for issues like anxiety or depression and recommend therapy or medications if needed.
• Stress levels: Recommend making time for relaxing and self-care activities. High, chronic stress can negatively impact health.
• Lack of sleep: Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night for good health. Lack of adequate sleep increases risks like obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease over time.

Making the recommended lifestyle adjustments and health changes based on your regular body  checkups and screenings is key to reducing health risks and keeping health issues at bay. Small changes you make today based on screening results can add years of healthy living to your future.

In summary, having regular comprehensive body checks and health screenings done by your doctor based on your age and risk factors is one of the most important things you can do for your health and longevity. Take the time to schedule your regular health checkups—your future healthy self will thank you!