The Benefits of a Yearly Wellness Exam and What to Expect

Taking care of our physical and mental health is essential for leading a healthy and happy life. One of the best ways to ensure that we are in good health is to get a yearly check-up with a doctor. Yearly check-ups help us detect potential problems early on so we can take steps to prevent them from becoming serious. A yearly check-up also helps us to monitor our overall health and keep track of any changes that may have occurred since our last visit. By getting regular check-ups, we can ensure that we take all the necessary steps to maintain good health for years to come.

What to Expect During a Yearly Wellness Exam

During this visit, you'll discuss your medical history, family history, lifestyle habits, and any concerns about your health. Your doctor will also perform a physical exam and order tests or treatments as needed. It is essential, to be honest with your doctor to ensure you receive the best care possible. Being honest about your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle can help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Honesty also helps doctors understand how medications or treatments might affect you differently than other patients. By being open and honest with your doctor, you are taking an active role in your health care and ensuring you get the best care possible.

Medical History

Knowing your medical history is integral to understanding and managing your health because it helps doctors diagnose and treat any existing or potential health issues. While discussing your medical history with your doctor, please provide them with information about past illnesses, treatments, current medications, surgeries, allergies, and other health conditions. By providing a complete picture of our medical histories to our doctors, we can ensure that they can provide us with the most effective treatment plans possible.

Family Medical History

By understanding your family's medical history, you can be better informed and make better decisions about your health, and so can your doctor. Family medical history includes any illnesses, conditions, or treatments passed down through generations in your family, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and high blood pressure. Sharing this information can help doctors diagnose and treat any potential issues before they become serious health problems.

Lifestyle Habits

Discussing your lifestyle habits can help your doctor determine what treatments or medications might be best for you. You should share information such as how much sleep you get each night, what type of diet you follow, how often you drink, smoke, and use other substances, how often you exercise, and any other activities that could potentially have an effect on your health like stress levels and physical activities. Doing so will ensure that your doctor understands all aspects of your lifestyle and can provide the most effective care possible.

Health Concerns

Yearly wellness exams are essential to staying healthy and catching any potential issues early. You should talk to them about any changes in your health or lifestyle, such as changes in diet or exercise habits, as well as any new symptoms you have been experiencing. By discussing these topics with your doctor, you can ensure that you are getting the best possible care for yourself and any future health issues that may arise.

Physical Exam

During a physical exam, doctors will check your vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. They will also examine your eyes, ears, nose, and throat for any signs of infection or abnormalities. Additionally, they will assess your lungs by listening to your breathing with a stethoscope. Lastly, they may do additional tests depending on your age, gender, and medical history. These tests can include blood tests, urine tests, and other diagnostic scans.

The Benefits of a Yearly Wellness Exam

A yearly wellness exam is a great way to ensure you are in the best health. It provides an opportunity to have a comprehensive assessment of your health and well-being, as well as identify any potential issues. A primary care visit is the cornerstone of preventive care and can help you stay on track with your overall health. These preventive services can reduce your risk for severe illness or injury.

SMASH subsidizes a primary healthcare visit and associated labs for our members. If you are a SMASH member, click here to book your annual wellness exam through the SMASH member services portal. If you are not a SMASH member, consider joining today. SMASH serves musicians and music teachers living in King, Snohomish, Pierce, Mason, Kitsap, or Thurston counties who perform, record, teach, or compose music and earn income at or under SMASH's income guidelines. The SMASH member application is free and confidential. Your contact information will never be sold for any reason. We are not a health insurance provider; if you have insurance, you can still qualify for SMASH services. Click here to learn more and join.