Seeing your doctor for preventative care, especially when you already feel healthy, is the best way to take control of your health. It allows you and your doctor to work together to stay ahead of the disease and treat minor problems before they become major problems.
People who receive preventive care are less likely to have expensive emergency room visits or hospital stays. Regular visits to your doctor even when you are not sick will allow you to make early changes to address problems such as high blood pressure rather than more serious problems such as sweetheart.
What is preventive care?
Preventative care is taking care of your health before you have health problems. It often includes:
When I see a patient for preventive care, I also offer screenings and tests based on who they are and where they are, tailored to their age, family health history, and other personal details.
Find small symptoms before they turn into big problems
One of the most important parts of my job as a family physician is helping patients understand their personal health risks. During your annual checkup, your doctor will look at things like your blood pressure, lab results, family history, and lifestyle.
From there, we can calculate your risk for health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Then you’ll make a plan together to avoid these conditions so you can continue to do the activities you enjoy as much as possible.
“I feel good. Do I really need a diagnosis?’
I’ve had new patients whose first words to me were, “Actually, I haven’t seen a doctor in 10 years.” Sometimes it’s because they don’t understand why they need to see a doctor when they feel healthy. Other times it’s because they don’t have health insurance or don’t know that most insurance plans cover annual well-being visits at no extra cost.
If this is your situation, don’t worry. No doctor I know has ever turned a patient away for preventive treatment. We welcome you through our doors. We want to meet you where you are, help you understand your health, and show you how to reach your personal health goals.
Don’t be put off just because you haven’t noticed any health problems. Many serious conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and some cancers, begin quietly without making you feel sick at first.
Regular visits to the doctor when you are healthy can make all the difference. The researchers found that up to 100 thousand people can be saved every year if everyone in the United States had the preventive care that experts recommend.
Schedule a preventative visit today
Getting regular preventive care is the easiest and most effective way to protect your health.
Don’t wait until you feel sick. If you haven’t been tested for a long time, find a doctor and schedule an appointment today so you can get started together on a personalized plan to stay healthy.
About Dr. Askari
Anna Askari, MD, MS, FAAFP, is the former president of the Orange County Chapter of the California Academy of Family Physicians and the medical director of Amazon One Medical Orange County.
