Find time to stay healthy
By Dana Benson
Between work and family obligations, it's hard to find time for visits to the doctor for preventive health screenings.
But regular screenings are an important part of staying healthy, and fitting them into your schedule should be a priority.
"It is very important at any age to have regular health screenings," said Steve Rosenbaum, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and section chief of general internal medicine at Baylor Clinic. "It allows us to appreciate our good fortune for good health, and regular exams can detect problems early, so they can be treated and dealt with more expeditiously."
One good tip from Rosenbaum is to come in for regular screenings and checkups during your birth month. That way it's very easy to remember when to schedule these important appointments.
How often people should visit doctors for regular checkups and screenings is a common question. For people with no chronic health issues, Rosenbaum suggests:
- People in their 30s should have checkups every two to three years
- By 40, checkups are recommended every 12 to 18 months
- Annual checkups starting by 50
Remember too that there are many factors that could influence the frequency of screenings. Family history of certain illness and risk factors should be discussed with your doctor. In fact, talking about family medical history with your doctor is just as important as staying up to date on your checkups.
