4 Essential Checkups You Should Have Each Year
By Kara Masterson
April 20, 2016 • Fact checked by Dumb Little Man
It can be difficult to get yourself to regularly visit the doctor, but it is an essential process to ensure that you are healthy. Getting the right checkups and screenings will allow you to stay in the best physical shape possible. If you develop any health problems, then they will be caught and treated in a timely manner.
These are the four essential checkups you should have each year.
Annual Physical
Every doctor recommends that their patients come in at least once a year for an annual physical exam. Since there are so many medical conditions that can occur without presenting many physical symptoms, the annual physical is necessary to ensure you remain healthy. Your blood pressure, heart and lungs will be the primary things checked during the annual physical, but the doctor will most likely take a look at your entire body.
Vision Test
Your vision can go without notice at just about any time in your life. You probably will not be able to notice a slight drop off in your vision, but it will definitely show up in a vision test. Catching an eye problem early may be the difference in saving your vision for the rest of your life. If you are told you need glasses after a vision test, then make sure to get them right away. It is a good idea to try to purchase prescription glasses online to save money.
Prostate/Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. The same thing can be said about prostate cancer for men. Since these cancers are so common, it is vital that you get a screening every year. Women should also do a self-exam about once a month. Both of these cancers are extremely treatable if they are caught early enough, so there is no reason to put your life at risk by skipping out on a prostate or breast cancer screening each year.
Heart Disease Screening
Heart disease is the leading killer among people in the United States, and it can develop at just about any age. Most doctors recommend getting a heart disease screening every year after you turn 30. Getting this screening every year will make sure your heart is in good working order and drastically reduce your chances of a heart attack or stroke in the future.
Your health is not something you should take lightly. It may be a slight inconvenience to make multiple trips to different doctors each year, but it is much better than the alternative of finding out something is wrong after it’s too late. If you make sure to get these four checkups each year, then you are well on your way to living a long and healthy life.