Annual Exams Can Keep You Out of the ER

Even as we’re bombarded by messaging about self-care, many of us neglect a crucial component: routine doctor’s visits and yearly physical exams.

There are many reasons why we put off those visits, including fear of doctor’s offices and medical professionals, or anxiety about finding something we’d rather not know about. Sometimes, it can become a point of pride to brag that you never go to the doctor. “Doctor fatigue” also can be an issue. When you’re seeing specialists for various ailments, you might think, ‘Why bother with a general practitioner?’

Recent research shows that more people than ever are pushing back checkups until these important visits can no longer do what they were intended to do: find problems before they become problems.

Why Yearly Physicals Are Important

When we think of getting an annual exam, we probably remember having our height and weight measured, getting a cuff on our arm and possibly a thermometer in our mouths. But a physical is a lot more than that, especially as we get older.

That’s when age-appropriate screenings for things like breast, colon and prostate cancer start to come into play. It’s also when your doctor may want to monitor signs of heart disease like high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, both of which are common but have subtle symptoms that you might not notice. 

That’s why it’s important to have your annual exam, even if you think you’re healthy. For those with pre-existing conditions or a family history of diabetes or hypertension, a physical can be the first line of defense against illnesses that can be tracked and treated early. 

Catch Problems Early To Avoid the ER 

Emergency room doctors and nurses encounter a whole host of issues daily, but surprisingly many cases could have been prevented or treated if caught earlier. Topping the list are cardiac disease, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer. 

Several factors that can point to heart and vascular problems start with a routine physical, including: 

• monitoring lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol intake and exercise

• measuring blood pressure

• doing serial EKGs, which compares current tests to previous EKGs

• talking to a patient about family history. 

Other symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue and difficulty breathing, all can point to illness but are too easy to explain away as exhaustion or stress. 

Usually once a patient gets to the ER, what started as a preventable illness has become a full-blown health crisis – one that may be more expensive or difficult to treat than if it had been caught early with a routine physical. 

Annual Bloodwork Holds the Key to Health 

Annual bloodwork can reveal potential health issues.  Bloodwork also shows how your body is changing over time, which empowers you and your doctor to make long-term adjustments to your healthcare. 

Some of the most common tests:

• complete blood count (CBC)

• basic metabolic panel

• thyroid panel

• lipid panel to check HDL and LDL cholesterol levels

• nutrient tests to check for levels of iron, B vitamins, etc.

The C-reactive protein test, which checks for levels of a particular protein made by the liver, identifies inflammation from a variety of causes, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and some types of cancer. 

If you’re at risk for cancer or other conditions like cirrhosis or stroke, your bloodwork can also include enzyme markers that give your doctor clues as to what’s going on behind the scenes. 

Taking a Step Toward Better Health 

Building a relationship with your primary care physician means that someone will have an overview of your health. Your PCP is the “quarterback” of your healthcare team, even if you see multiple specialists for other health concerns. 

Waiting too long can make just about any disease more complicated to treat. Catching it early can save you time and money -- and can even save your life.