As a nation, we should be taking our health more seriously. Unfortunately, many of us don’t get enough exercise and eat poorly, even if we don’t intend to. With busy schedules, grabbing something on the go can often be way easier than cooking a healthy meal, and many quick snacks are full of sugars and fats. Additionally, many people don’t go in for regularly scheduled appointments with their doctor and won’t go to the doctor even if they should — a lingering cold, discomfort, etc. These aren’t healthy habits. However, finding a doctor in the first place can be a stressful experience — you want a doctor with whom you feel comfortable, and of course, at a place easily accessible to you and one that takes your health insurance. However, finding a doctor is an important first step in taking care of yourself and one you should be taking.
How Bad is the Health Situation In America?
Heart disease is impacting the United States in a major way — the leading cause of death for men and women. Almost every 30 seconds, a person in the United States passes away because of heart disease, which adds up to around 600,000 people per year. That means one in four deaths in the United States is caused by heart disease. and around 80 million Americans have at least one kind of heart disease, if not more. The most common kind of heart disease is coronary heart disease, which kills over 375,000 people every year.
The prevalence of having heart disease can be in part due to genetics, but the way you eat and exercise can also be a major factor. And with one in three Americans obese, the likelihood of heart disease related deaths is only expected to rise. According to studies, since 1988, the average male has gained over 17 pounds and the typical female has gained almost 16 — by 2018, it’s predicted that over 40% of Americans will be obese, if the current trends keep up. Visiting your doctor regularly will at least provide a part of your life that will caution you to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and quit smoking if you do.
Why Should I Be Visiting the Doctor Regularly?
The doctor is a good place to gauge your health. The tests they run can tell you a lot about how you lead your life — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Vitamin D deficiency, etc., are all things you can help fix. Your primary care doctor may also be able to refer you to specialists and help you in finding an OBGYN, for example. Your visit with them might also spark questions to ask a cardiologist or questions to ask a gynecologist, if you need more specialized care.
If a medical issue has been bothering you — for example, you’ve been experiencing discomfort getting up or getting down, have persistent headaches, or haven’t been able to fall asleep — the doctor’s office is a great place to voice those concerns and see what can be done, or what might be causing these issues. The importance of routine check ups cannot be stressed enough!
How Do I Go About Finding a Doctor?
Most health insurance websites list places or medical professionals who take your insurance, so that’s a good place to start. There are also third party websites that filter by insurance type and often have reviews from other patients who have been there, so if you’re in the process of finding a doctor, this can be incredibly helpful. Referrals from family and friends are also a strong way to go about finding a doctor, since you most likely trust their judgment! Remember that you can always change your primary care doctor if you’re not satisfied with his or her care — it’s not a binding contract!
Visiting your doctor regularly can often nip some things in the bud and be a useful catalyst in changing how you live your life. Good health is so important, especially as you get older; it can drastically improve your quality of life and happiness.