4 Checkups Every Adult Needs

It’s been quite a year. Businesses, schools, and restaurants were closed. We worked from home, socialized online, wore masks, washed hands, and avoided face-to-face contact. 

We even avoided seeing the doctor. About 78% of American adults put off at least some medical care during the pandemic. If you haven’t seen a doctor in the last year or more, it’s time to catch up and schedule an appointment.

Whether or not you live with a chronic disease like diabetes or high blood pressure, it’s important to catch up with a doctor as soon as possible. If you don’t have a doctor, Grady is the perfect place to find a new medical home. We have virtually every medical specialty on staff. And we can guide you to the right doctor for your needs, including scheduling the visits, tests, exams, and treatments all at a location near you. 

 Not ready to make an in-person visit? We could do a phone or video visit if you prefer. As you think about getting back into care, remember there are four checkups you should get every year:

1. Annual Physical
   

   You should see a primary care doctor for a physical examination tailored to your age and medical history. It’s the perfect time to make sure your immunizations are up-to-date, discuss screenings like a colonoscopy or mammogram, and talk about any physical or mental health concerns you have. Make sure you also get your cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure checked. Annual physicals give us early warnings about health issues. They’re also important because they build a relationship with a doctor who can give you access to all the medical specialists you will ever need. And we’re here to answer your questions when you have concerns.

2. Annual Eye Exam
   

   While most people get an eye exam when they need to update their glasses or contacts, an annual eye exam is essential to catch vision problems early. They’re crucial for young children, whose schoolwork can suffer if a vision problem develops. If you or your kids are experiencing headaches or having trouble focusing reading, watching TV, or on the computer, it might be time for an eye exam. The exam only takes a few minutes, and we can identify issues before they become serious problems.

3. Annual Well-woman Exam
   

   Women should get an annual pelvic exam, discuss sexual health and birth control, discuss menstrual cycle changes, get tested for sexually transmitted infections, and address any concerns. These exams are also an excellent time to discuss cancer screenings like pap tests and clinical breast exams or mammograms with a doctor.

4. Dermatology Skin Check
   

   It takes just 15 minutes to check for signs of melanoma or other skin cancers. Skin checks can be done by your primary care doctor or a Grady dermatologist. It doesn’t matter what kind of doctor does the exam as long as they use a dermatoscope, which helps us determine if a mole should be biopsied. An annual dermatology check is also an excellent time to talk to your doctor about any unusual growths or common conditions like eczema or psoriasis. 

Get the Care You Need

Ready to take the next step for a healthier life? Grady can help.  If you need a primary care physician, give us a call at (404) 616-1000. We’ll arrange an appointment at a Primary Care Center near you. Doctors there can treat most conditions and provide access to Grady’s unparalleled medical specialty expertise.