Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Health Topics

Why It's So Important to Get a Yearly Physical: Your Health’s Best Defense

While on a weekly Zoom call a bunch of us were discussing our yearly physicals. I mentioned that every year my doctor gives me an EKG, which got us thinking... In our busy lives, it can be easy to skip routine medical appointments, especially when we're feeling well. But when it comes to your health, getting a yearly physical exam is one of the smartest investments you can make. Regular check-ups provide preventive care that can catch potential health issues early, help manage chronic conditions, and ensure you stay on the right track with your overall well-being. Here’s why you shouldn’t overlook them:

1. Early Detection of Health Issues

One of the most crucial benefits of a yearly physical is the ability to detect health issues before they become serious. Many conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or certain cancers, can develop quietly without causing symptoms until they are more advanced. Your doctor will assess your overall health through various screenings, blood tests, and discussions about any symptoms you might not even realize are significant.


For example, regular blood pressure checks are vital because high blood pressure is often called the "silent killer," as it has no symptoms but significantly increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association recommends having blood pressure checked at least once a year if it’s normal (120/80 mm Hg), and more frequently if elevated (FDA).

2. Building a Baseline for Your Health

Yearly physicals help your healthcare provider establish a baseline for your health. By tracking key indicators like weight, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure over time, they can easily notice any unusual changes. Having a health baseline allows your doctor to recognize even subtle shifts in your health status, enabling early intervention. This is particularly useful for preventing chronic diseases or mitigating their impact, which can make treatment more effective and less invasive (Federal Trade Commission).

3. Preventive Care and Immunizations

A critical part of the annual physical is preventive care. Your doctor can advise you on lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Preventive screenings (such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and cholesterol checks) are tailored based on age, sex, family history, and risk factors, ensuring you’re covered for the health concerns most relevant to you.

Additionally, yearly visits are a good time to stay updated on immunizations like the flu shot, COVID-19 boosters, or other vaccines. Vaccinations are especially important as you get older, when the immune system weakens and the risk for complications from illnesses rises (FDA).

4. Managing Chronic Conditions

For those already dealing with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure, yearly check-ups offer a chance to adjust treatment plans, monitor progress, and prevent complications. Regular monitoring helps ensure that these conditions are well-controlled and that medications are working effectively. In fact, studies show that people with chronic conditions who attend routine appointments are more likely to adhere to treatment plans and maintain stable health (FDA).

5. Mental Health Screening

Yearly physicals aren't just about physical health—they also provide an opportunity to check in on your mental well-being. Your doctor can screen for anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues that might not be obvious to you or those around you. The pandemic has made it even more critical to monitor mental health, with many people experiencing heightened stress, anxiety, and depression in recent years(Federal Trade Commission).

6. Establishing a Relationship with Your Doctor

Visiting your doctor annually builds a strong relationship, allowing for more personalized care. Your physician becomes familiar with your medical history, lifestyle, and preferences, which enables them to offer advice and treatment that suits your needs. Having an open line of communication with your healthcare provider also makes it easier to bring up concerns or questions that might otherwise be overlooked.

A yearly physical is an essential part of maintaining your health. Whether you're feeling fine or managing a condition, routine check-ups offer critical preventive care, catch problems early, and keep you informed about your health. Skipping out on these visits could mean missing out on the chance to prevent disease or stop something from progressing further. Make that annual appointment—it’s one of the simplest steps you can take to safeguard your well-being.

Sources:

  1. American Heart Association. “Know Your Numbers: Blood Pressure.” Updated April 2021.
    Link
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Immunization Schedules.” Updated August 2023.
    Link
  3. Mayo Clinic. "Why Annual Physical Exams Are Important." Updated September 2023.
    Link

More Stories

Mind, Body, and Soul: A Holistic Approach to Black Women’s Health

Mind, Body, and Soul: A Holistic Approach to Black Women’s Health

True well-being is more than being fit. It involves mental, emotional, and spiritual health as well. For Black women, the contours of women’s health care often involve addressing certain complexities that pose additional barriers to their overall health. Looking at health in the construct of Black women’s lives demands an integration of the mind, body, and soul that shifts the focus from illness to wellness to health promotion and optimal quality of life throughout all life stages.

Taking ownership of self-care behaviors, spending effort on fights for health equity, and making decisions that enhance well-being and health are some of the changes that one can make in women’s health. This will be a new approach as this will foster caring for themselves meaningfully. This article will show how Black women can take care of themselves by examining these three components in more detail.

Keep ReadingShow less
How to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctor’s Office
Photo by Jeremy Alford on Unsplash

How to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctor’s Office

Sometimes it feels like visiting the doctor’s office can be a little frightening, especially if you have a complicated medical problem or if you are unable to express your problems clearly. It is not uncommon for people to leave appointments feeling unheard, hurried through, or unclear of their intended treatment. However, being actively involved in one’s healthcare can make all the difference in receiving appropriate care.

Self-advocacy in the doctor’s office puts you in a position where your views, concerns, and needs are respected and taken care of to the best possible extent. If you are living with a chronic illness, a new diagnosis, or just looking for routine preventative healthcare, self-advocacy in the office of the doctor is crucial. Here is how to take charge of your healthcare experience and optimize the care you receive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Is It Just Stress or Something More? Understanding Hormonal Imbalances

Is It Just Stress or Something More? Understanding Hormonal Imbalances

In our modern day, many people ignore stress as part of the everyday normal. Severe feelings of being overwhelmed by work deadlines, financial crises, personal responsibilities, etc can cause numerous emotional and physical problems. If the problems of chronic fatigue, mood swings, weight fluctuations, or even irregular periods continue despite the implementation of stress management systems, it is perhaps wise to consider the possibility of a hormonal imbalance.

A person's hormonal health is very central to their health. The body relies on a network of glands called the endocrine system designed to produce and regulate hormones, and this system affects nearly every physiological function within a human, their metabolism, their mood, and, even their immune response. If there is some kind of disruption to this balance, the outcomes can go beyond basic stress symptoms. How does one differentiate between stress discomfort and the more sinister internal hormone imbalance? Here, we will answer some important questions concerning stress discomfort, and hormonal health.

Keep ReadingShow less

Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month: Understanding, Preventing, and Supporting Recovery

March is recognized as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing public knowledge about TBIs, their impact, and the importance of prevention and treatment. Traumatic brain injuries affect millions of people each year, often leading to long-term disabilities and requiring extensive rehabilitation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). By dedicating a month to TBI awareness, we collectively work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive society for those affected by brain injuries, while also striving to prevent future incidents through education and advocacy.

The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI is a disruption in normal brain function caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head. The severity of TBI can range from mild concussions to severe injuries resulting in cognitive and physical impairments. According to the CDC, approximately 1.5 million Americans sustain a TBI annually, and nearly 230,000 are hospitalized due to these injuries (CDC, 2023). Common causes include falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports-related injuries, and combat-related trauma among military personnel.

Keep ReadingShow less
Black Maternal Health Week: Addressing Racial Disparities in Maternal Care
Photo by Shelly Shell on Unsplash

Black Maternal Health Week: Addressing Racial Disparities in Maternal Care

Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), observed annually from April 11-17, is a national campaign founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance in 2018. It raises awareness about the disproportionate maternal health challenges faced by Black women in the United States and advocates for systemic change in maternal healthcare (Black Mamas Matter Alliance, 2018). Addressing Black maternal health is crucial for achieving health equity, improving overall public health outcomes, and ensuring that all women have access to safe, respectful, and high-quality maternal care. It requires a multifaceted approach involving policy changes, healthcare system reforms, and efforts to combat racism and discrimination in medical settings.

The Urgency of Black Maternal Health

The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, and Black women are disproportionately affected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women (CDC, 2022). Structural racism, implicit bias in healthcare, and limited access to quality medical services contribute to these disparities.

Keep ReadingShow less
×