Regular checkups offer a variety of health benefits.
Annual physicals test general health and the conditions of various parts of the body, and detect problems at an early stage. Your health care provider will take measurements of height and weight and give advice on life choices such as diet and tobacco use.
Function
Annual physicals screen for health issues that patients may not have noticed yet. Doctors may screen for a number of conditions during a physical, including cholesterol levels, diabetes and high blood pressure. Physicians may also screen for a number of common cancers, including breast, cervical, prostate and skin.
Benefits
Annual physicals find and help treat problems; early intervention helps cure and even prevent diseases and disorders. During a physical, physicians can answer any health questions a patient might have. Doctors may give recommended immunizations that protect the patient from communicable diseases.
Considerations
How often a patient should get a physical depends on the patient's health, family history and lifestyle choices. Older patients and patients with preexisting conditions may need more thorough checkups on a regular basis.
Tags: Annual physicals, problems early, screen number
