Physical Exam Frequency
Alternate Names : Health Maintenance Visit, How Often You Need a Physical Exam
Definition
Even when healthy, adults should visit a clinician periodically. The purpose of these visits is to:
- Screen for diseases
- Assess risk of future medical problems
- Encourage healthy lifestyles
- Update vaccinations
- Maintain a relationship with a doctor in the event of an illness
Health maintenance visits differ from visits needed by people who have medical problems that need to be monitored and treated.
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Description
Even if you feel fine, it still important to see your health care provider regularly to check for potential problems. Most people who have high blood pressure don't even know it. The only way to find out if you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Likewise, high blood sugar and high cholesterol levels often do not produce any symptoms until advanced disease has occurred.
There are specific times when you should see your health care provider. Some guidelines include:
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