Most people only schedule appointments with their doctor when they have an injury or illness. However, visiting the office for an annual exam is highly recommended. Doing so will provide you with numerous benefits, including the ones listed below.

3 Reasons to Maintain Annual Appointments With Your Doctor

1. Insight Into Your Health

During your annual exam, the doctor will review your overall condition, both emotionally and physically. They’ll check your height and weight, temperature, blood pressure, lung capacity, eyes, ears, and nose. In some cases, they might also request blood samples or tests. All of these factors will help them gain insight into developing diseases or underlying conditions. 

2. Maintain Your Records

Having up-to-date medical records is crucial. This file outlines your full health status over the years, including any diagnoses, procedures, and medications you have had. Having a comprehensive paper trail that documents a complete history of your health allows doctors to better understand your system if a situation arises.

3. Protect Yourself

Doctors do an excellent job of providing treatments when a person is ill. However, the best way to avoid an unwanted cold or sickness is to invest in preventative care, instead. During annual appointments with your health provider, you can get vaccinations that keep your immune system strong. These may include shots for the flu, HPV, and shingles.

Depending on the results of your exam, your doctor might also offer lifestyle recommendations to ward off injuries or problems. For example, if you’re overweight and experiencing joint pain as a result, they might provide nutritional counseling to help shed a few pounds and decrease stress on your joints. 

If you need to schedule an appointment for an annual exam, get in touch with the team at Dumas Family Practice. For almost 30 years, they’ve provided residents throughout the northern panhandle of Texas with top-quality health care services. Visit their website to learn more about the doctors on their staff. Call (806) 935-9005 to schedule an appointment today.