An Apple a Day Isn’t Enough

It’s well established that children should see the doctor on a regular basis for wellness exams and to receive immunizations.

Athletes, members of the armed services, and individuals with chronic illnesses also need routine physical examinations to ensure their continued health and strong performance.

But did you know that adults in generally good health should also see their physicians on a regular basis for wellness exams?

Why Healthy Adults Should Have Wellness Exams

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta (CDC), one big benefit of wellness exams is that your physician can often detect potential health challenges before they become big problems.

Early detection enables early treatment, and your chances for successful cure or control of a health issue increase with early action. Most insurance policies cover wellness exams.

Their advantage is clear: if any health problems you have are found and treated early, their costs decrease.

It’s to your own benefit to take advantage of the physician consultation and the lab screenings covered by your insurance program, both in terms of saving you money and in terms of keeping yourself healthy.

What Adult Wellness Exams Cover

Your physician will check your weight and blood pressure, and may order routine blood work. This commonly includes a test for cholesterol levels.

Other screenings may occur according to a schedule; for instance, regular colorectal cancer screenings typically begin at age 50. There may even be vaccinations you should receive or consider receiving as an adult.

Exactly what your physician will look at varies with your age, gender, family history, and personal health history.

For example, an individual with a family history of diabetes may be monitored more closely for that than other individuals may be.

Women have separate gynecological exams that should be performed by a specialist on a regular basis.

Preparing for Your Wellness Exam

You can make your wellness exam more effective if you prepare before your appointment. The CDC suggests the following steps.

Keep track of your family health history. Have any close blood relatives developed new health conditions since your last visit with your physician?

Family incidence of conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke are important for your physician to know.

Find out what screenings or vaccinations you may be due for. This can require some legwork on your part, but can help ensure your good health later on.

Keep a list of issues you’ve had tested and when. If you notice that you haven’t had an eye exam for a few years, or you know it may be time for a mammogram, discuss this with your physician.

Write down questions and bring them along. Have you been noticing any symptoms you want to discuss with your doctor?

Have there been any changes to your health? Bringing a written list to your appointment will help you to cover all the important bases.

Consider your future plans. For example, if you’re a woman planning a family, you should discuss how to care for your body to create the best environment for your baby.

If you plan to lose weight, this is a good time to dis-cuss that with your physician as well.

Maintaining Good Health

Wellness exams can be a vital cornerstone in the maintenance of your health.

Good nutrition, exercise, and adequate sleep all play important roles as well, but it’s important to touch base with your physician on a regular basis.

Your physician can help you take care of the proper functioning of your body, and help it return to good function if it strays despite your best efforts.