It might not cross your mind to make an appointment with your doctor when you’re feeling well. However, an annual physical is one of the best steps you can take to maintain good health and prevent illness.
At MS Family Medicine Health Care in Mineola and Rosedale, New York, our family medicine team, led by our esteemed medical director Dr. Michele Reed, performs comprehensive physicals and annual checkups. These exams allow us to monitor your general health, manage chronic conditions, and update wellness recommendations to better meet your needs.
Why should you see your doctor at least once a year? Let us explain.
Approximately 60% of people in the United States live with a chronic condition that affects their daily lives and requires ongoing medical care. Many common chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer don’t cause symptoms until there’s damage to your body.
Seeing your doctor at least once a year helps you stay ahead of health risks. During these annual health visits, we screen to detect diseases early, before you have symptoms. Finding problems early may prevent or delay more serious complications, benefitting your long-term health.
Changes in your health are often gradual and easy to overlook. Seeing your doctor yearly allows us to monitor your health metrics over time, making it easier to identify deviations from your baseline.
Year-to-year monitoring not only helps spot potential issues but may also reinforce healthy habits or motivate you to adopt new ones. By following and understanding your health trends, your doctor can provide more personalized advice for wellness and prevention.
Frequent visits to different doctors for medical care can make it challenging to establish rapport and trust. Without a strong patient-provider relationship, you may hesitate to share critical information, potentially delaying necessary intervention.
Scheduling an annual physical with your primary care doctor builds continuity and trust. Over time, you grow more comfortable with your doctor, sharing all of your health concerns. A doctor who knows you well can provide better insight and more personalized care.
Your health needs change over time. What worked for you in your 20s may not work in your 50s. Regular checkups allow your doctor to update your wellness plan to align with your current medical needs, health goals, and lifestyle.
Good health requires your active participation. Having a trusted doctor to help you on your journey can make a tremendous difference in your health now and later. MS Family Medicine Health Care takes a patient-centered approach to care, always putting your needs first.
If it’s been more than a year since your last doctor’s visit, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment. Call our office today or request an appointment online anytime.
