If you’ve ever wondered how often you should visit your primary care doctor, you are not alone. Many people hold off on visiting their primary care doctor for various reasons, which is unfortunate. Your primary care doctor oversees your health, and with their knowledge of your family health history, a primary care doctor can create an effective preventive plan to ensure you remain in optimal health.
The more often you visit your primary care doctor, the more attuned he or she will be to the slight changes in your health that may indicate early signs of disease. So, when should you visit your primary care doctor? Here are some examples.
For Diagnostic Purposes
See a primary care doctor for a clinical diagnosis. Pain that doesn’t go away in a week should be checked out by your primary care physician. Chest pain, breast pain, and lower back pain that are persistent may be indicative of something serious. If not, it should at least be looked at by a physician. If your doctor catches a serious health issue early, it can dramatically improve your health and get you in shape quickly. Primary care physicians can treat a lot of pain symptoms. Most patients have great communication with their primary care physicians and work with them to solve a lot of health issues. If your doctor feels you need to see a specialist, they will refer you to one.
For Chronic Disease Management
Your primary care doctor who knows your full medical history is in a very good position to help you with chronic disease management. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and arthritis are just some of the chronic diseases that your primary care doctor can help you manage. Your primary care physician can help you with lifestyle changes, exercise programs, and nutritional guidance so that you can live a fun, active, and fulfilling life despite your diagnosis. A primary care physician can also help with medication management so you take the right doses of your medications for optimal results.
For Your Medical Wellness Visit
Wellness visits are conducted by primary care physicians with the goal of helping you stay safe from diseases and in better health. In a wellness visit, your primary care doctor will review your medical history and recommend immunizations and screenings appropriate for someone of your age and with your family health history. For instance, if colon cancer runs in your family, your primary care physician will recommend that you get early colon cancer screenings. If your mother or aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor will recommend breast cancer screenings once you reach a certain age. Annual wellness visits are a great opportunity to give you a top to bottom exam so any potential health problems are caught and treated early.
Primary Care Doctors in Irmo, South Carolina
Your primary care doctor is an ally who can help you stay healthy. Make sure to visit your primary care regularly to ensure you stay healthy and thrive for years to come.
If you’re looking for a primary care physician that truly cares, our compassionate internal medicine doctors at SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation welcome you. We build lifelong relationships with our patients by providing comprehensive and superior patient-centered care.
Are you ready for better health? Call SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation at (803) 749-1111 or request an appointment now. We are happy to assist you with any questions you may have about our practice!
