A number of people are of the mindset that a visit to their general practitioner is only reserved for illness. If you're not sick, there is no need to see your physician, right? This couldn't be any further from the truth. Regular visits to your practitioner can offer a number of long-term health benefits.
Establish A Baseline
Regular visits can help your physician establish a health baseline, which is basically a guideline for determining what's normal and what's not normal when it comes to your health. With regular visits, this guideline can be established over time. Take extreme fatigue, for example. Consider two different patients that are normally full of energy.
One patient has a family history of diabetes and the other doesn't. For the individual with a family history of diabetes, extreme fatigue can be an early warning sign for the onset of this condition and may prompt a physician to check their glucose levels. For someone who doesn't have this family history, the physician may explore other options. Whatever the case, the health baseline offers a platform for the practitioner to start from.
Develop A Good Relationship
Having a good relationship with your physician is imperative. This is especially important when it comes to trust. When you trust your physician, not only will you be more apt to share information, you will also be more receptive to the advice and instructions they offer.
A good relationship is also beneficial when it comes to formulating treatment plans. For example, if you've communicated to your provider that you don't really like to take medication, in the event you need to be treated for a condition, the provider will know to first investigate an alternative therapy option before recommending a prescription. These types of healthy relationships can only be fostered with regular interaction.
Plan For The Future
Routine visits can also help you better plan for your future. This is especially helpful when it comes to family planning. Excessive alcohol use, following a poor diet, a lack of exercise and tobacco use can all lower fertility, for both men and women alike. If you inform your physician of your future family expansion desires, they can work with you to help put you on a course for better results.
The same is true when it comes to a family history of disease. Routine visits allow the physician to speak with you about the specific changes you can make with your lifestyle to help lower your inherent risks.
Don't wait until you are sick to visit your general practitioner. Take charge of your health with regular visits.
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