Regular checkups with your primary care provider can help you maintain better health. Additionally, seeing the doctor regularly helps prevent more serious health problems by making it easier to identify minor issues early on before they get worse. Dr. Paul Keinarth and Dr. Kelly Alberda, the skilled doctors at Margolin, Keinarth & Alberda Family Health Center in Austin, TX, can help you stay healthy with regular checkups.
What to Expect During a Checkup
You should see a doctor at least once a year for a regular checkup, which is sometimes referred to as an annual exam. Individuals with certain health conditions might need to schedule more frequent visits so the doctor can more closely monitor their health and help them manage symptoms.
Regular checkups allow your provider to monitor your health and quickly identify changes since your last visit that are potentially concerning. Diagnosing a condition early on is the best way to prevent it from becoming worse. The doctor might recommend a course of treatment or certain lifestyle changes to help get the problem under control and prevent it from becoming more serious. For example, if your cholesterol levels are higher than at your last checkup, the doctor can recommend ways to bring those levels down and reduce your risk for heart disease.
The doctor looks at several different things during a regular checkup at our office in Austin, TX. Some of the components of a regular checkup include:
- Checking height and weight
- Taking your blood pressure
- Checking heart rate and breathing
- Testing reflexes and balance
- An abdominal exam
- Lab tests (e.g., blood sugar and cholesterol levels)
- Checking the eyes, ears, nose, and throat
These are just a few of the areas that are commonly assessed during an annual exam. The doctor might also perform various screenings, such as a skin cancer screening. Women might undergo a breast exam and pelvic exam, while men might need a testicular exam.
Preventive Care
Preventive care is one of the most important reasons to schedule regular checkups with your doctor. Even when you feel healthy, it is still important to see a doctor regularly. Preventive care can help you maintain your health and prevent serious diseases by reducing your risk of developing one. Additionally, preventive care can help prevent minor health issues from becoming more serious through early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
The importance of regular checkups cannot be understated. Visiting the doctor regularly can help you maintain optimal health. To schedule a regular checkup with Dr. Keinarth or Dr. Alberda in Austin, TX, call us at (512) 459-9889.