Let’s Get (a) Physical!

That’s right! When was the last time you went to the doctor for a “healthy check-up“? What about the dentist? If you have health insurance and haven’t been to see your doctor in a while, why not start the year off right and schedule a physical?

I know, I know. No one likes to go to the doctor. After all, they might give you bad news, like that your cholesterol is high, that you may need to lose a few pounds, etc. However, knowing that you have high cholesterol may give you motivation to eat healthier and exercise more, and in turn, prevent heart disease or a long-term illness in the future. And, if you have insurance, you are already paying for that doctor visit, so why not make the most of it?

So, let’s figure out that checklist and who to visit:

1. Your general practitioner for a “healthy check-up”
2. Your dentist
3. Your eye doctor to check/revise your prescription
4. If you are female, your gynecologist
5. Any specialists: dermatology, gastroenterology, neurology, cardiology, etc.

Before you go to your “healthy check-up”, make sure you

1. Have your medical history available: What medicines do you currently take (including herbal supplements and dietary supplements), what surgeries/hospitalizations you have had in the past, what chronic conditions you experience, and if you have experienced weight loss/gain in the past year.
2. Have your family history, if available.
3. Write down a list of questions that you may have, such as:

a. Can I get my bloodwork checked (cholesterol levels, fasting blood glucose, complete blood count, thyroid test, etc)?

b. Is my weight appropriate for my height/is my Body Mass Index within normal?

c. Is it safe for me to exercise or engage in physical activity?

d. Any physical issues you may be having (constipation, weight loss, abnormal moles/bumps on body, body aches, etc), how long you have had these problems, and what you have done to try to relieve them (i.e., taking fiber supplement if you are constipated).

If you have a medical condition or are concerned about a medical topic (rash, acne, questionable irritable bowel syndrome), Harvard Medical School has a great list of questions to ask your doctor when you go to visit them. You should check it out and take these questions with you!

So schedule those doctor visits to help ensure you live a long and healthy new year, and make use of that insurance if you have it!

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