The start of the new year is a great time to reset, take charge and set new goals. And when it comes to goals, health and wellness is often at the top of new year’s resolutions.
To help set health goals and manage your health, an annual physical is important in identifying where your health is now and where it’s going.
“First, if you don’t have a regular primary doctor, this is a great time to get one and establish that relationship,” said Patrick Railey, M.D., Chief, Primary Care, Piedmont. “If you have health or fitness goals on your list, a primary care doctor can help you identify areas of your health that may need more attention than others, and that can start at your annual physical.”
What To Expect
During the physical, your doctor will assess your overall health with a full-body exam, checking your blood pressure and weight. It’s also a good time to discuss immunizations you may need and any family history of illnesses or disease to help establish your health plan for the year. Going through medicines and supplements you may be using for interactions and necessity is another focus.
Your doctor may also request lab work using blood or urine samples to check your cholesterol, blood sugar, kidney function, liver function, and potassium, sodium and iron levels as many conditions, such as diabetes, cancers or other diseases, can be detected through these tests.
“An annual physical is not only a proactive investment in helping to set health goals, it’s equally important – if not more important – in the prevention of long-term health issues,” Railey said. “Touching base with a health provider yearly allows early symptoms of new conditions to be identified because of that established relationship.”
For Young Athletes
For children involved in sports, now is also a good time to get a head start on sports physicals as spring sports season approaches.
A sports physical is generally brief and focuses on things that are important in sports participation, such as checking vitals, vision, joints, flexibility, weight and medical history. A fitness assessment may also be performed to determine potential physical limitations.
“One of the most important components of the visit is a screening and examination for cardiac conditions that could affect sports participation,” Railey said.
With little to no wait time, one of Piedmont QuickCare’s 25 locations are a great way to check your physical off your list as same day appointments are available.
Sports physicals can also be scheduled with a primary care family medicine physician or at one of the 75 Piedmont Urgent Care locations through MyChart, online at piedmont.org, or by calling any of the locations directly.
Make your appointment for a physical now as a new year goal. To find a Piedmont location near you, visit piedmont.org.