Why you need a regular wellness checkup

While some people, I included, think of a doctor’s appointment as an occasion when someone is unwell or maybe hurt, these regular checkups are critical to our overall health and well-being.

If we could spend just an hour or so each year doing one thing to improve our health, then scheduling an annual checkup, and refining our wellness plan would ensure we enjoy optimal health at every stage and every age of our lives.

Despite the benefits and availability of such essential doctors’ visits, many people skip them; figuring they are not sick, too busy, or lazy.

I skipped last year’s annual wellness checkup. I don’t have a reason for this, unfortunately. That was one pretty flawed approach to my healthcare.

This year, I was very intentional about participating in our company's Staff Annual Wellness Check, partly, because you know – age.

But most importantly, because I care about my health and well-being. And I would say, the joy that comes with knowing how you are doing health-wise, is unmatched.

I wanted to know the importance of "having a date with your doctor".

Dr Brian Lesso, from Marina Healthcare Embakasi, is the doctor in charge at the Royal Media Services staff clinic.

“Having an annual wellness checkup is one of the best ways to stay healthy, no matter how old you are and it can potentially save you from costly medical care and treatment expenses in the future”; began Dr Lesso.

Early Detection and Diagnosis of Health Issues

According to Dr Lesso, one of the most significant benefits of having annual or regular wellness checkups is the early detection and diagnosis of any potential health issue.

“Many diseases and conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and having high cholesterol levels do not usually present symptoms until after they have progressed to an advanced stage.

If we identify any of these at an early stage, we can prevent the complications of those conditions which are normally very difficult and expensive to treat”, he adds.

Regular checkups allow the healthcare provider to monitor any vital signs of a condition, perform diagnostic tests and identify any abnormalities that may indicate a developing health issue.

In addition, early diagnosis often leads to earlier intervention which is critical in preventing any progression of a disease hence improving the chances of treatment.

Prevention of Chronic Diseases

Scheduling for annual checkups plays a crucial role in the prevention of chronic diseases. Dr Lesso reveals that 27% of people who develop chronic diseases die, while 50% of all hospital admissions in Kenya are attributed to such diseases and conditions.

“During these appointments, we can assess risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity then provide personalized recommendations to our clients”, he encourages.

Lifestyle changes such as improved diet, regular exercise and reduced alcohol intake can significantly reduce the risk of developing chronic health conditions.

Adhering to preventive measures and guidance from your health provider during such checkups can also help make informed decisions about your health as you adopt healthier living habits.

Preventive Screenings and Vaccinations

Did you know that vaccinations are not limited to children only, but given to adults as well? These vaccines help in the prevention of some lifestyle diseases.

Daktari says diseases like Hepatitis B have vaccines that are administered for prevention.

“This includes vaccines for Covid-19 because there are still active cases. When a client visits, we discuss with them and give necessary vaccinations and preventive screenings, because staying up-to-date with vaccines is very crucial for your long-term health.”

Preventive screenings such as mammograms to detect breast cancer, colonoscopy to examine the interior of the colon, and Complete Blood Count (CBC), are essential for early detection of conditions like cancer and infectious diseases.

By integrating such screenings into annual checkups, individuals can ensure they are taking proactive steps towards their health and well-being.

Helps Keep Healthcare Costs Low

Annual wellness checkups save a coin. By emphasizing early detection and prevention, we can effectively manage our health conditions.

A health provider will diagnose and address a health issue early enough before it becomes serious reducing the need for emergency care and expensive treatments like chemo and radiotherapies.

Dr Lesso says an individual is at risk of developing organ complications like kidney failure, heart disease and stroke if they are taking lifetime medication that often affects their blood pressure.

“From a cost perspective, kidney failure requires dialysis – which on average is Ksh.20,000 per week, translating to Ksh.80,000 per month.

A kidney transplant is an equally expensive option because you need to find a matching donor. We can primarily avoid all these expenses by doing regular wellness checks”, he adds.

Managing pre-existing Health Issues

Visiting your healthcare provider is essential for effectively managing and monitoring pre-existing health conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart conditions that require continuous management and/or medication to ensure they are kept under control.

When you schedule for and adhere to regular doctor appointments, your doctor will review the treatment plans, adjust medication if necessary then track your health progress.

This helps an individual prevent any complications that may occur and enhances the overall quality of life despite having such conditions.

Creating Awareness and General Patient Education

Annual medical checkups provide a great opportunity for health education and awareness of one's overall lifestyle.

Healthcare providers usually find enough time to offer valuable information about healthy living, how to prevent diseases and general self-care practices.

This empowers individuals to take an active role in their primary health, make informed decisions and understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“Risky behaviours like over-indulgence in alcohol, smoking and other drugs, and consumption of foods that have high saturated fats that clog the arteries may lead to heart attack, stroke and other dangerous health complications. Such information cannot be given to a client when they come in sick. It can only be effective during that annual wellness checkup when an individual is okay”, Dr Lesso continues.

Conclusion

The last thing anyone would want to do if they are feeling healthy is to visit a doctor because hospital scenes are not pleasant to the eye and mind.

“Most Kenyans only visit hospitals when they are unwell. It’s a culture I would encourage people to unlearn because many killer diseases don’t present symptoms, and when they do, it is normally at advanced stages. Annual health checkups are the basic components of preventive healthcare that we should adopt”, concludes Dr Brian Lesso.

Healthy Tip

Your annual wellness checkup is just like your normal relationship check-in; if you are brutally honest about your health habits, your doctor will appreciate the honesty – and might even share an apple, yeah, to keep him away – until your next wellness date!