General Maintenance – not just for your vehicle! 

By Madison A. Snyder, MD 

You might take your car to a mechanic regularly to change the oil and make sure everything is running smoothly. What if you thought about your body in the same way? 

“But doctor, if I feel fine, why would I need to go to the clinic?” 

Your body is a fine-tuned machine, and your doctor can keep it running well. For example, a recommended vaccine can keep you healthy by preventing illness. In addition, there can be some small signs your provider can catch that could suggest that something isn’t working quite right. Your doctor can discover a concern before it causes a big problem. Maybe the high blood pressure that you never noticed can be treated before it causes a stroke. Catching concerns before they cause problems or preventing diseases with vaccines is called preventative care, or general health maintenance. Regular visits to the doctor can help you stay on top of your health. 

Every person’s healthcare looks different. Your doctor looks at you as an individual and makes recommendations. They consider many factors, like your age, lifestyle, and family history. For example, children should see a doctor regularly to ensure they are growing and developing properly. They can help make sure your child is on track with their peers. If there are any concerns, support can be given early. Teenagers should see a doctor at least once a year to make sure they are growing and developing properly and to answer questions about changes in their bodies. Adults should regularly see a doctor as well. How often you need to see a doctor is often determined by your medical conditions. Some people only need to see a doctor once a year for preventative care. Others who have medical conditions may need to be seen several times a year. 

“If I am feeling fine, what is done at these appointments?” 

During your visit, your doctor will ask about your lifestyle and medical history and complete a physical examination. They may make recommendations for lifestyle changes to keep you healthy. They might suggest blood tests to check for high cholesterol, kidney disease or diabetes. Sexually active people may be screened for sexually transmitted infections. Mammograms are often recommended for older women to screen for breast cancer. Colonoscopies are recommended for older adults to screen for colon cancer. Your doctor may also recommend vaccinations that prevent serious illness. 

Screening tests aim to catch diseases before symptoms appear and to prevent disease. These diseases can often be serious if left untreated. Based on the results, your doctor may recommend watchful waiting, a recheck, medications or more tests. They will explain the results to you and together you will decide how to move forward. For example, it would be rare for a person to know that they have high cholesterol without a blood test. Treating high cholesterol can prevent a heart attack and other serious diseases later in life. Preventative care is important, as spare parts for humans are hard to come by! 

Another benefit of preventative care visits is building a relationship with your doctor. The goal is that your doctor would be someone you trust and can discuss any health-related topic. Your provider can help guide you on how to best care for your body and someone to talk to when concerns arise. 

Questions? Your friendly primary care doctor is happy to discuss health care maintenance! 

Dr. Snyder is a physician at Allina Health United Family Physicians, 233 Grand Ave, St. Paul, 55102, 651-241-5200.