The most caring appointment: your check-up

We service the car and renew the licence on time, yet the doctor’s visit waits until something hurts. A regular check-up is one of the most caring things you can do for yourself and for the people who depend on you.

Why go when you feel fine

Some health problems begin quietly, without symptoms you would notice at first. A check-up, and the screenings your doctor recommends, are a way of looking early rather than late. It is also a chance to ask your questions with no emergency in the room.

Know your basics

Blood pressure, blood sugar and a few other simple measurements are things a doctor or pharmacist can check for you. Which checks and screenings you need, and how often, depend on your age, your sex and your family history. So ask your doctor what is right for you, instead of following someone else’s list. Keep your results in one place, a folder or a note on your phone.

Prepare for the visit

Write your questions down beforehand, because they are easy to forget once you are in the room. List everything you take: medicines, vitamins and herbal products. Ask your family which conditions run in the family. Bring earlier test results with you. If you like, bring someone you trust to listen with you and help you remember what was said. Before you leave, make sure you understand the next step. It is completely fine to ask the doctor to repeat something or explain it more simply.

Do not wait when something feels wrong

You know your own body. If something new worries you, or a symptom lasts or keeps coming back, book a visit instead of waiting for it to pass or asking friends. And if it feels urgent, get urgent care straight away.

Teeth and eyes too

Regular dental and eye checks belong to the same habit. Ask your dentist and your eye doctor how often you should come.

It takes strength to go

Many of us put off the doctor out of fear, a busy life, or the idea that going is a sign of weakness. It is the opposite. Going is a way of looking after yourself for the people you love. And when you go, you make it easier for your parents, your partner and your children to go too.