Priorities your health over everything else
An apple a day and meeting doctor at regular intervals, can keep you healthy and wealthy your way
Maintain yourself like you do (or would do) to your new car. If servicing is done regularly, the car performs well and gives proper mileage. Our body is a complex machine that consists of many interconnected systems that keep it running. Just like a car engine, the body needs to be checked from time to time to make sure all systems are running as expected. Things like weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other vitals and markers should be tracked and monitored over time. Often this includes a simple blood test to help signal if something is wrong or out of balance. And if something isn’t right, best that it’s caught early.
On 05 February 2023, Twitter handle of World o Statistics shared information that 60% of people who attempted suicide are vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D plays an important role in our mental and physical well-being, but not tested regularly by everyone, unless your physician prescribes you to do so. These deficiencies are not visible ones like hemoglobin but leaves a few symptoms, which your doctor can easily identify.
Most people view going to the doctor as a hassle. Work and overall life is always crazy enough, and the last thing you want to do is give up the little free time you have to go to a doctor’s clinic. Here’s the thing: if you wait until you are already sick for that doctor visit, you may end up spending more time and money on healthcare than you could have if you had kept things in check.
Why is a regular visit to the doctor a must?
Visiting a doctor is important for your health and your ability to live the life you want as you grow older. Many young people who feel healthy think they don’t need a doctor. They are sometimes affectionately called “young invincibles.” The most important reason is that some serious illnesses require treatment before you feel or recognize them, such as heart disease, thyroid disorders, kidney issues, and cancers such as of the prostate, colon, and breast. If you are truly healthy, a doctor can help identify your individual risk factors and guide you toward prevention. Your risk factors and signs of trouble change as you age.
Health check-ups give data
Living a healthy life necessitates tracking your body temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other important vitals. By examining these crucial figures, your doctor can make a health diagnosis. Be sure to also check your blood cholesterol levels, as high cholesterol levels can increase your risk of heart disease.
Save money
Many people avoid regular checkups because they fear doing so will result in a significant financial burden. But, in reality, it is the other way round. Visiting a doctor regularly can save you a lot of money over time. Regular checkups mean doctors can spot potential problems sooner and provide appropriate prognosis information before they become serious and take a toll on your health and wallet. As a result, your healthcare expenses will reduce.
Watch your weight
Among other health complications, obesity is particularly linked to an increased risk of heart disease. The arteries that carry blood to the heart may develop fatty deposits. When these arteries get blocked, they could pave the way for a heart attack. Since achieving weight loss goals on your own can be challenging, scheduling routine checkups can help you keep the weight under control.
For general check-ups, stick to one doctor
You can nurture a trustworthy relationship with your doctor through routine checkups. Your doctor will be aware of your health history and can monitor your health changes over time. Also, it is easier to see a doctor who is familiar with you and your preferences than a stranger when you are feeling ill.
Encourage healthy habits
Studies report that regularly visiting a doctor encourages healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, working out, and leveraging stress management practices. If you do not see a doctor regularly, you will have less incentive to keep your overall health in check. As a result, it will be easier to overlook the importance of good habits.
If feeling under the weather
When you are feeling ill, you can visit nearby clinic to get the medical help you need. “We can help diagnose what you have and find a solution for you as well. Coming in for a routine checkup is a vital step to staying healthy,” said Navi Mumbai-based, Dr Chandrashekhar Tulasigeri, MBBS, MD, who is senior physician & intensivist and a very trusted name in India. “We have a team that can help you stay healthy, and it is our passion and our drive to make sure that you can live life to the fullest,” Dr Chandrashekhar Tulasigeri adds.
A must avoid online search
Most of us have the internet on our phone and on various devices. Instead of asking our physician, we tend to search symptoms on Google. Nearly 80 percent of people have conducted health searches on the internet. Of course, checking your symptoms online can be very helpful or terrifying, depending on how and where you do it. Apart from “Google my symptoms,” the internet is filled with sites like WebMD, this makes self-diagnosis easy for those who think it’s that simple. You must avoid searching about your illness or symptoms, as you are not qualified. Self-diagnosing based on internet articles alone is not only a bad idea, it can also lead to unnecessary worry and fear. Type in “headache” on your browser of choice and the top three conditions that will show up are brain tumor, aneurysm, and cancer. That’s enough to cause a headache.
Apart from above pointers, you should also see your family doctor if you:
- need a medication refill
- have questions about managing a chronic health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- have contraception needs
- need routine pregnancy care, or
- need an assistance with mental health issues
- If there’s a new symptom that you need evaluated, keep a symptom diary ahead of your visit. This should include:
- What does the symptom feel like?
- When does it occur?
- How long does it last?
- What makes it worse?
- What makes it better?
Plan a visit to the physician. A doctor isn't just an emergency resource. They are also there for your general, everyday wellness.Do remember, checkups are for everyone! If you make regular visits a habit, the doctor is more likely to spot growing problems. They are more likely to notice a shift in body composition, function, or behavior. And the more quickly you notice approaching problems, the easier it is to find a cure or management technique to keep you well. If it's been a while since your last check-up, make an appointment to get one today.
