You may be someone who rarely feels sick. If so, you may be curious about how regularly you should get a checkup. After all, you don’t feel bad, so what’s the harm in skipping a checkup here and there? The truth is, it’s incredibly important to maintain a regular checkup routine with your doctor.
Checkup schedule
Generally speaking, people should have a checkup every three years if they are under the age of 50 and every year after the age of 50. However, it is not uncommon for most insurance providers to cover a yearly checkup with a medical provider. The exact timeline may vary based on your needs and the preferences of your doctor. It’s best to follow your doctor’s advice about when you should have your checkup.
Why your doctor may suggest more checkups
There are many reasons that your doctor may suggest that you come in more regularly. Some reasons may include that you have a family history that may put you at higher risk for certain diseases, or you have certain lifestyle factors that may influence your health over time. Additionally, if you are a smoker, your doctor may have other concerns about your health in the future. Whatever your doctor suggests as a checkup routine, it’s likely in your best interest to follow those recommendations.
Why regular checkups are important
Everybody is healthy until they aren’t. That’s why it’s critical that you keep a close eye on your health so that you can seek proper treatment as early as possible. Routine checkups help identify chronic conditions, assess for cancer, and identify any need for certain changes you may need to make in order to live a healthier life.
Benefits of regular checkups
There are many benefits of regular checkups–some of which we’ve already discussed. Additional benefits include:
- Identifying issues for early intervention
- Early treatment for better outcomes
- Staying current on vaccines
- Receiving proper screenings
- Reducing healthcare costs by spotting issues early
- Learning better lifestyle habits
- Creating a better relationship with your healthcare team
Regular physical checkups provide a better understanding of your overall health. Your doctor can start to identify any patterns in your health and will likely see any changes long before you develop any symptoms. If you’ve been putting off your checkups for far too long, it’s time to reach out to your doctor to learn more about the appropriate checkup schedule that you should follow.