If you can’t remember the last time you went to the doctor, then first of all you are very fortunate, and secondly, you should go. It’s time to get a little maintenance.
The most valuable thing about having a checkup is getting your blood tested. Even if you feel fantastic, the blood may reveal early signs of something that you need to acknowledge. Small issues caught early on can be dealt with quickly and often with just a few lifestyle changes.
Action – There is power in knowing instead of assuming. The blood test is sophisticated enough to pick up changes in cholesterol, blood sugar, and can assess the health of certain organs. There are parameters that are considered normal in 95% of healthy individuals, and if you fall outside of the range then further testing can be done to see if there is an issue.
Men are particularly likely to ignore going to the doctor until a problem becomes serious. Early detection is important with many different disorders to enhance the ability to cure whatever it is. Sometimes waiting too long doesn’t give you any options if there is something wrong.
Steps – Find a doctor. If you don’t have a family doctor, try to get one. It’s good to have someone who has a record of your medical history with a series of test results and any issues that have affected you in the past. At the very least, go to a clinic and get your blood tested. Insurance plans will cover the cost, and it would be worth paying for a blood test even if they didn’t.
If you are healthy and your bloodwork is normal, then routine testing at least every two years is enough. If there have been issues with cholesterol or blood sugar, an annual test might be more appropriate. Discuss it with your doctor and see what is right for you.
Why It Makes You Fee Better – Forewarned is forearmed. It’s easy to ignore something and act like everything is okay, and we do this out of fear. No one wants to receive a diagnosis that something is actually wrong. Ignoring is a form of denial that can cause things to become much worse than they need to be.
It’s not always easy to stay healthy in modern society. Not only are we exposed to higher levels of pollution than ever before, but our stressful and rushed lifestyles take a toll as well. We eat too much processed food and often eat on the run. Obesity is more prevalent than ever, and we are much more sedentary than in the past. These factors all contribute to a growing number of serious health issues.
Knowing that your body is doing well can encourage you to continue to make healthy choices. When you can see the results of blood tests it can motivate you to make changes if necessary, or to continue doing what you are doing. Either way, knowledge is power.
Example – I know people who never go to the doctor. I understand why, as often there is a mistrust of the medical system. It is flawed in many ways, but to deny yourself the clues that a blood test can provide to your overall health isn’t smart. Get tested at least every couple of years and then you will know.
The less you need to see your doctor, the better. But don’t be the person who never goes. Take advantage of medical tests that can keep you running in peak form for many years to come.