When Do You Need a Physical?

According to a report by the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, most of us see doctors regularly for preventative care when we are young. But as we age, Americans tend to skip their doctor visit. The survey found that only 22.2% of adults aged 18–64 get an annual physical.

Yet, we know that physicals are important for early detection of problems. When health issues are discovered early, the outcome is generally much better.  Annual car maintenance keeps your vehicle operating at top efficiency. Similarly, an annual physical is important to detect emerging problems and provide you with the treatment you need to ward off later serious or chronic conditions.

The frequency of physical examinations should be tailored to individual health needs and conditions. For generally healthy adults, we recommend this schedule:

• Ages 19-21: Once every 2-3 years
• Ages 22-64: Once every 1-3 years
• Over 65: Annually

Those with risk factors for specific conditions or smokers might need more frequent visits. Moreover, individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, or depression should work closely with their doctors to establish a customized check-up schedule.

Benefits of Regular Health Visits

Regular visits allow you to build a consistent relationship with your care provider so that they can understand and follow your specific health risks. Routine tests, like blood work, help establish your health baseline, which is crucial for the early detection of abnormalities in blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. Understanding what’s normal for you helps in quickly identifying potential health issues.

General Health Guidelines by the US National Institute of Health

• Blood pressure checks: Every 2 years
• Key vaccinations: Keep up to date with immunizations such as tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, chickenpox, measles-mumps-rubella, meningitis, hepatitis A or B, and annual flu shots.
• Post-40 screenings: Cholesterol every 5 years; colorectal cancer screenings every year or a colonoscopy every 10 years.
• Post-55 considerations: Regular lung cancer screenings for smokers or recent quitters.
• After 60: Annual shingles vaccination.
• After 65: Pneumococcal vaccination.

Speciality Physicals Offered at Urgent Care + TeleHealth

In addition to annual preventative care physicals, we also offer these speciality physicals for children and adults.

• Pre-surgery Physicals
• Sports Physicals for Student Athletes
• DOT Physicals (Department of Transportation physicals required for commercial driver’s licenses.)
• Pre-Employment Physicals

Scheduling regular physicals is a proactive step towards a healthier and potentially longer life. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear to see your doctor—preventative healthcare is your best investment in your future health.