Why must we see Family doctor periodically even if we feel perfectly healthy?
Even if you feel perfectly healthy, it is still important to see a family doctor periodically for a number of reasons:
- Early detection of health problems: I have a colleague who was working hard. He was feeling dizzy. He went to his doctor, and he was found to have anemia as he had low functioning thyroid called Hypothyroidism and low Vitamin B12 levels both of which can cause anemia. He was started on Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism and Vitamin B12 supplements and anemia improved and his dizziness improved as well.
- Prevention: Regular check-ups can help to identify potential health problems early on and allow for early treatment, which can prevent more serious conditions from developing.
- Maintenance: Seeing a family doctor regularly can help to maintain your overall health and well-being by ensuring that any ongoing medical conditions are being properly managed.
- Comprehensive care: A family doctor can provide a broad range of medical services and can coordinate your care with other specialists if necessary.
- Building a relationship: Seeing the same doctor over time can help to establish a relationship of trust and understanding, which can be beneficial in managing your health.
- Detecting hereditary health issues: Some conditions run in the family. The easiest examples are Hypothyroidism, Vitamin B12 deficiency, Diabetes, High Cholesterol etc. Routine screening is needed at appropriate age to detect these issues early to prevent permanent complications.
It is generally recommended to see a family doctor at least once a year for a check-up, even if you are feeling healthy. Your doctor can help you to determine the appropriate frequency of visits based on your specific health needs.
