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Scheduling your annual wellness exam is one of the best things you can do for your health. Even if you feel fine, these routine check-ups provide many benefits.
Our primary care providers share five benefits of an annual physical and what you can expect during your exam.
1. Annual exams help you catch issues as soon as possible
Many serious health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, develop without noticeable symptoms. The longer these issues go undetected, the more at risk you are for serious complications.
The good news? Annual physicals here at Maniya Health include blood pressure screenings and lab tests that can catch these problems early.
The sooner you catch a potential problem, the sooner you can start addressing it. For example, it’s easier to reverse prediabetes than to manage the complications of full-blown diabetes.
2. Your exam can help you prevent diseases
Annual exams don’t just “catch” problems; they also help prevent them in the first place.
During your physical, your Maniya Health doctor will review your medical history, lifestyle, and risk factors to recommend screenings and lifestyle changes that may benefit you the most.
Screenings that we may order include a mammogram, a Pap smear, lung cancer screenings, or colonoscopies.
Lifestyle changes that we may recommend include smoking cessation, dietary modifications (including the DASH diet for high blood pressure), or regular exercise.
3. Get the vaccines you need
Children aren’t the only ones who need vaccinations during their physicals! Adults benefit from regular immunization, too. Our team follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for adult immunization.
After reviewing your vaccine records, we can recommend the necessary vaccinations to protect you against the flu, pneumonia, and other preventable diseases.
4. Check your medications
If you take medications or manage chronic conditions, your annual physical is the perfect time to review your treatment plan. Your Maniya Health provider can assess whether your medications are working effectively and make any necessary adjustments.
You can also enroll in our medication delivery program to get your prescription medications delivered to your home.
5. Establish your baseline
Regular check-ups help track changes in your health over time. Because we track key health indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body weight each year, your Maniya provider can identify trends and address any concerns before they become major health issues.
Bonus benefit: set your personal health goals
Your annual visit isn’t just about checking for problems—it’s also an opportunity to focus on your long-term wellness goals. Whether you want to lose weight, improve your fitness, manage stress, or quit smoking, we can help you reach your goals.
What to expect during your exam
Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of your annual physical let’s discuss what to expect during one.
During your annual exam, your Maniya Health provider reviews your personal and family medical history, discusses any concerns or new symptoms that you have, and performs a comprehensive physical assessment. This typically includes measuring your height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs like pulse ox.
Depending on your age and risk factors, we may also recommend blood tests, cholesterol checks, and screenings for conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Some of these tests require fasting, so you may need to return after fasting.
You can discuss any lifestyle changes, medications, or preventive care needs, such as vaccinations. This visit is a great time to ask questions that you may have about your health.
Schedule your annual physical today
Your annual physical is a simple yet powerful way to maintain your health and prevent future complications. If you haven’t scheduled yours yet, now is the perfect time to do so.
To get started, call any of our three New Jersey locations—Hamilton, Robbinsville, or Hopewell—or use our online scheduling system.