Seeing your doctor regularly is a vital investment in your health. Periodic exams detect problems early, when they are most treatable. This is particularly important for older adults, as disease susceptibility increases with age. Feel free to call us at 512-643-4173.Then, your doctor will review the information in your medical history and ask any questions you have based on the information in your record.
As a primary care doctor, I'll explain why it's essential to schedule those office visits, tests, and elective procedures. It allows you to be actively involved in your health care and helps your doctor provide you with the best possible care. This visit gives the doctor an opportunity to monitor the patient's health and compare their well-being with that of their last visit. A new Northwestern Medicine study published in JAMA has found that, while there is no clear evidence that regular checkups help adults live longer or prevent cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes, they still have many health benefits, especially for at-risk populations, and should continue.
After the visit, caregivers and older adults should compare notes to ensure that everyone can understand and follow the doctor's recommendations. According to the study, routine follow-up visits (they don't necessarily have to be done once a year) can help better detect and treat chronic diseases, such as depression and hypertension, increase vaccines and screening for diseases such as cancer, and improve the patient's real feeling after visiting the doctor (results reported by patients). Your doctor may have temporarily delayed surgeries or tests, but it's important that you continue to contact him about your medical needs. Recommendations for how often you should see your doctor for a checkup are based on your age, risk factors, and current health status.
Finding a consistent and reliable source of primary care is important to foster relationships and facilitate consultation with doctors when there is a problem, Liss said, adding that simply talking to someone about your concerns can make you feel better. If you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes or COPD, for example, you should see your doctor more often, no matter how old you are. It's especially important to see your doctor if your family has a history of high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or other chronic and serious conditions. Work is already crazy in and of itself, and the last thing you want to do is waste what little free time you have to go to the doctor's office.
Don't hesitate to contact the doctor's office if you still have questions or misunderstandings. These doctors have additional training and experience treating disabilities and illnesses for older adults. A doctor who sees a patient regularly can make a better diagnosis based on the changes seen in that patient's health.
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