When most people think about going to their family doctor, it is because they are feeling sick or have an injury that requires treatment. While these instances are valid reasons to go to your primary care doctor, they are not the only ones. The annual checkup is a basic service offered by family doctors that can have many benefits to your life and health. However, many people tend to skip their yearly checkup and only utilize the acute care services offered by their doctor. Get to know some of the reasons that you should never skip your yearly checkup so you can be sure you are doing what is best for your health going forward. 

Annual Exams Update Your Family Health History

Most people know that genetics plays a huge role in our health and in what conditions they are more prone to developing and dealing with throughout their lives. However, very few people share their family's health history with their doctor on a voluntary basis throughout the year. The problem is that a lot can change with your family members throughout the course of a single year. 

A parent or other close relative could be diagnosed with a myriad of conditions with a possible genetic component including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, a mental health condition, and more. It is important that your family doctor stays informed of these changes, so they can better provide screenings and care for you going forward. 

Annual Exams Can Detect Heart and Other Health Problems Early

One of the components of an annual health exam is a fasting blood test. The fasting blood test is a basic screening, or blood panel, that checks your overall health and organ functions. It tests your blood sugar levels, cholesterol, blood composition (i.e. the number of white cells, etc.), your liver function, and more. 

This one yearly blood test can detect a myriad of heart and other health problems while they are still minor and easy to treat. For example, if you were to find out that you have slightly high cholesterol in your annual exam, you could make minor adjustments to your diet and your exercise regimen to correct it, without having to go on medications. Doing so would not only lower your cholesterol but could also potentially prevent clogged arteries, heart disease, and more. 

Now that you know some of the many reasons that you should never skip your annual exam, you can be sure to call your family doctor, and schedule your appointment as soon as possible.

For more information, talk to companies like Snow Creek Medical Center.