How often should you get a checkup at the doctor?

Home Healthcare How often should you get a checkup at the doctor?
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If you’re wondering how often you should be visiting the doctor for a checkup if you seem to be in good health, the answer is: It all depends. The frequency of medical checkups depends on various factors such as age, gender, family history, and existing health conditions.

In general, healthy people should get a checkup every two to three years in their 20s, every other year in their 30s and 40s, and annually starting around age 50. You should also get regular health screenings like skin checks, pap smears, mammograms, and colorectal cancer screening.

If you have a chronic disease, like diabetes or COPD for instance, you should see your doctor more frequently, no matter how old you are. Your doctor may suggest more or less time between your checkups based on your risk factors, screening test results, and current health status.

What are the benefits of regular checkups?

Regular checkups with your healthcare provider can benefit your health in many ways. Some of the key benefits include:

  • Finding potentially life-threatening health issues early before they cause a problem.
  • Early treatment of health conditions, which increases the odds of a good outcome.
  • Regular monitoring of existing health issues, which lowers the risk of worsening symptoms or severe complications.
  • Staying up-to-date on vaccinations and screening tests.
  • Limiting extra healthcare costs associated with treating complicated or serious conditions that aren’t caught early.
  • Developing and maintaining an open, honest relationship with your primary care physician (PCP).
  • Learning new ways to live a healthy, longer life and improving your health.

Source: healthline.com