Has it been a long time since you last visited the doctors? Do you tend to make up trivial excuses to avoid going? “I don’t have time”, “I have more important things to do”, “I’m scared of that the doctor will tell me”, are all common excuses people use to justify for optimal health not booking an appointment with their local doctor. Even though you know how important it is to schedule the time to go for a check-up, you know that you’re not the only one making up excuses.

But now, it’s time to take charge of your optimal health! Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your health and what screenings and exams you need and when you need them. Our health is something we should always think about and prioritise. It’s better to know your results and if there are any problems or arising problems, to take real, actionable steps towards bettering your health rather than not knowing at all. Being oblivious to your optimal health and not knowing whether you have any health problems will just escalate the issue until it may be too late.

Why are check-ups important?

Looking after your health is the most important thing you can do not only for yourself but for your family as well. Regular health checks and tests can help any problems before they start. They can also help detect problems early which make your chances for treatment and cure better. You can achieve a longer, healthier life if you get the right health services, screenings and treatments. Check-ups provide you with the opportunity to talk your health with your doctor and discuss what areas you may need working on in order to improve your health.

Types of health checks

When you visit your doctor, you can get a number of different checks and tests to see your overall health. Some of the important examinations, screenings and vaccinations include:

• Cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Breast and cervical cancer
• Immunisation schedules
• Oral health
• Prostate cancer screening
• Viral hepatitis
• HIV/AIDS
• Skin cancer

Making sure you check the relevant health checks can help identify any problems and work towards treating them. Creating this awareness and living a healthier life makes your health your number one priority.

Health checks at home

If you would like to check your health at home in your own time, you can review your health in relation to:

• Alcohol – better long-term health can be achieved by having at least two alcohol-free days per week and have no more than two standard drinks per drinking day.
• Dental care – regularly brushing and flossing your teeth and eating food with low amounts of sugar can reduce your risk of tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease.
• Diet – a healthy diet improves your general health and wellbeing. It is recommended to have at least two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables every day.
• Physical activity – regular physical activity is good for your mental and physical health. Try and aim for 30 minutes to an hour of moderate physical activity per day.
• Skin checks – check your skin regularly for unusual moles or freckles and book an appointment with your doctor if you see anything unusual.
• Smoking – smoking increases the risk of diseases such as heart disease, lung disease, and stroke.
• Weight – maintaining a healthy weight helps prevent long-term diseases.

Even if you perform regular health checks at home, it is still important to visit your doctor every 6 months or once a year, depending on the recommendation of your doctor. Now let’s all take the time to make that call and schedule an appointment with your doctor. If you live around Charlestown, book your appointment at Appletree Family Practice Charlestown clinic. Work towards a healthier and longer life. Now who wouldn’t want that?