Many people only see their primary care physician (PCP) when they experience symptoms, such as a fever, runny nose, or joint pain. However, feeling healthy and being healthy are two separate things. That’s one of the reasons why it is important to have an annual comprehensive health/wellness exam. It is an essential preventive care service that can help you maintain good health by avoiding medical problems or treating them before they worsen – many times before symptoms even appear.
Depending on your age and circumstances, there are different reasons to undergo an annual wellness exam. For example, it can be for employment purposes or to check your fitness for certain sports activities. Or, if the patient is a child, school health physicals are often a necessity.
Whatever the purpose, a wellness exam that includes diagnostic testing and a review of your medical history, dietary habits, physical capabilities, vital statistics, and other essential information is an opportunity to assess your overall health status, as well as any symptoms you might be experiencing.
The Major Benefits of an Annual Wellness Exam
A comprehensive wellness exam performed by your primary care physician serves many beneficial purposes, including:
- Keeping you up to date on necessary immunizations
- Ensuring that you are receiving the proper intake of nutrients and avoiding unhealthy foods and habits
- Detecting any potential physical problems that may trigger medical concerns in the future
- Checking for diseases that have yet to be identified
- Prescribing or modifying current medications
- Identifying possible referrals to medical specialists
- Maintaining a thorough and updated record of your health and wellbeing
Regular wellness exams are also an opportunity to build a long-term relationship with your primary care physician, given that they are the provider who typically overlooks every aspect of your healthcare. Once you have found a PCP that you trust and see consistently, you can have more detailed and transparent discussions about your wellbeing, symptoms, and concerns. This enables greater patient education and, thus, more effective long-term protection against serious illness or injury.
If your doctor detects irregularities during a wellness exam that may indicate a medical condition, they can recommend both medication and lifestyle changes aimed at enhancing your health. The advice your provider offers will invariably lead to a healthier lifestyle and better quality of life.
Annual Wellness Exams in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, Florida
At Intercoastal Medical Group, our network of more than 100 highly credentialed physicians are committed to providing the highest quality primary and preventive care possible by offering superior health services to adults and children, whatever their medical needs may be. We have 10 convenient locations throughout Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, Florida, where our patients benefit from a seamless and efficient transfer of expertise and information, thereby creating a unique continuum of care.
All of our providers have access to your entire medical file, so there are no delays in communicating the details each doctor requires to deliver the care you need. As a patient of Intercoastal Medical Group, you have direct access to the most comprehensive health and wellness services available in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
To learn more about our comprehensive health and wellness services or to arrange an appointment with one of our highly skilled providers, contact the Intercoastal Medical Group office nearest you today or use our convenient online request form to schedule your visit.
