10 Reasons to Book an Appointment with Your Primary Care Provider
Your primary care provider, also known as a PCP, oversees your medical care and helps you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, your PCP might help you manage chronic illnesses or conditions and refer you to a wide range of specialists as needed. Here are 10 reasons to visit your PCP sooner rather than later.
Your PCP can administer various vaccines, such as the flu, COVID-19, or HPV vaccine. Staying on top of your vaccinations is a smart preventive measure, particularly if you are at an elevated risk of contracting certain illnesses due to genetic factors or other reasons.
Spring and summer are peak allergy seasons for many, with pollen from trees, grass, and ragweed being the primary culprits. Being tested for allergies offers answers—and relief. Your PCP can prescribe you medication to help manage allergy symptoms.
Additionally, food allergies can present at any time of the year and can make life more challenging. Your PCP can administer allergy tests for a range of food products. Common food allergies include milk, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and eggs.
Your PCP can perform routine screenings, like skin checks, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, physical exams, and screening for sexually transmitted diseases. Staying on top of your PCP visits and regular screenings can help catch any health issues early on, which may mean a wider range of treatment options.
Illnesses such as a cold, cough, or sore throat can strike at any time. Your PCP can help you resolve the issue quickly, get a prescription for medication if needed, and provide instructions for at-home care.
Dealing with back pain is no joke. It can impact every area of life and make you feel miserable. If you’re experiencing back pain, book an appointment with your PCP, who can help determine what’s going on with your body. There’s no need to suffer until it gets better; be proactive and speak with your PCP.
High cholesterol is typically caused by lifestyle factors, including lack of exercise, an imbalanced diet, and eating a lot of saturated fat. Having high cholesterol can also be genetic and inherited. There are no symptoms of high cholesterol, and the only way to determine if you have it is through a blood test, which your PCP can perform.
Research shows that regular appointments with a PCP reduce overall health care costs for most patients because they undergo regular screenings and exams and keep an open dialogue with their doctor.
Mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, can impact your physical health. There is a significant and direct correlation between cardiovascular disease and incidences of depression, for example. If you’re experiencing feelings of depression or anxiety, contact your PCP. They can discuss treatment options and important information about mental health conditions. Like a physical ailment, a mental health issue is treatable and nothing to be ashamed of. You deserve to feel good.
Whether it’s a mental health condition or a weird mole on your back, your PCP has the network and the ability to refer you to an expert or specialist who can best assist you with your condition. Your PCP has access to a wide pool of health resources; lean on them for support and connections during your health journey.
Fatigue is a challenging condition marked by extreme tiredness and lack of energy. It may be caused by a number of different things, from not getting enough sleep to something more serious like a significant medical condition. Thyroid disease, digestive disease, infection, and nutrient deficiencies can all lead to fatigue. So even if you think it’s nothing and you just need another cup of coffee, book an appointment with your PCP to rule out any serious issues if you’re experiencing ongoing fatigue.