A regular checkup with your health care provider is different from a visit for an illness or injury. It includes a physical exam and preventive care, which may include:
- Screening tests, which look for diseases early, when they may be easier to treat. The ones you need depend on your age, sex, overall health, family health history and risk of particular diseases.
- Vaccines, which improve your health by preventing diseases and other problems.
- Education and counseling to help you make informed decisions, including advice on diet, exercise, and any alcohol, tobacco or other substances you use.
Before you go
- Review your family health history.
- Find out whether you are due for any general screenings or vaccines.
- Write down the issues and questions you want to discuss, and bring the list.
- Write down every medicine, vitamin and supplement you take, and bring that list too.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Health Checkup," drawing on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://medlineplus.gov/healthcheckup.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
1
0
0
0
Comments
Read next
Version: 2CC0 1.0 — public domain
The three main kinds of prostate disease — prostatitis, enlarged prostate (BPH) and prostate cancer — who is more likely to get each, the symptoms that call for a provider, and how they are diagnosed.
Version: 2CC0 1.0 — public domain
Colorectal cancer screening is not only about finding cancer early. Adenomas — polyps that are not cancer yet — can be removed before they become cancer, which makes this one of the few screening programmes that prevents the disease rather than catching it.
Version: 2CC0 1.0 — public domain
Nails are layers of keratin that protect fingers and toes, and changes in their color or growth can signal lung, heart, kidney or liver disease, diabetes or anemia. Common nail problems and how to avoid them.
Version: 1CC0 1.0 — public domain
The best way to avoid auto repair rip-offs is to be prepared. Knowing how your vehicle works and how to identify common car problems is a good beginning.