Do you go to the doctor even when you feel good? You should! A yearly checkup, also called an annual physical, helps you stay healthy. Think of it like taking care of a car before it breaks down. In this article, we’ll talk about why these checkups are so important and what happens when you get one.

What Is An Annual Physical?

A yearly checkup is a special visit to your doctor when you’re not sick. During this visit, your doctor looks at your whole body to make sure everything is working well. Just like teachers check your work at school, doctors check your body to keep you healthy.

Who Needs A Yearly Checkup?

Everyone over 2 years old should get a yearly checkup! This includes:

• Kids and teens
• Adults who feel healthy
• Older adults
• People with health problems
• People without health problems

Your doctor at Yorktown Health Vernon Hills can help the whole family stay well with these important visits.

Why Your Yearly Checkup Is So Important

Find Problems Early

Sometimes your body can have problems before you feel sick. Your doctor knows how to spot these problems early. For example, high blood pressure doesn’t make you feel bad right away, but it can hurt your heart over time. Finding problems early makes them easier to fix!

Dr. Williams, a doctor who helps many patients, says: “An annual physical is like a routine car maintenance check. It helps us catch small problems before they become big ones.”

Track Your Health Over Time

Your body changes as you grow. Yearly checkups help your doctor see these changes. Think of it like marking your height on a wall – you can see how much you’ve grown! Your doctor keeps track of things like:

• Your weight
• Your blood pressure
• Your heart rate
• How well your body fights sickness

When your doctor sees you every year, they can tell right away if something changes.

Learn How To Stay Healthy

Your doctor doesn’t just fix problems – they help stop them before they start! During your yearly checkup, your doctor can:

• Talk about foods that help your body
• Suggest fun ways to move and play
• Help you sleep better
• Answer questions about staying healthy

This is like having a coach for your health who gives you tips to feel your best!

Get Your Shots

Shots, also called vaccines, help keep you from getting sick. Some shots work for a long time, but others need updates. Your doctor checks which shots you need at your yearly visit. This helps protect you from many illnesses.

Build A Friendship With Your Doctor

When you see the same doctor every year, they get to know you really well. This helps them take better care of you. Plus, if you get sick between checkups, you’ll already know your doctor and feel comfortable talking to them.

What Happens During A Yearly Checkup?

Are you wondering what will happen at your yearly checkup? Let’s walk through it step by step!

Talking About Your Health

First, your doctor will talk with you about your health. They might ask:

• How have you been feeling?
• Has anything changed since last year?
• Does anyone in your family have health problems?
• What foods do you eat?
• How much do you play and exercise?

Be honest with your doctor. They’re asking to help you, not to judge you!

Checking Your Body’s Signals

Next, your doctor will check some important signals that show how your body is working:

Blood Pressure Check

Your doctor puts a band around your arm that squeezes then relaxes. This shows how hard your heart works to move blood through your body. A good number is less than 120/80.

Heart Rate Check

Your doctor counts how many times your heart beats in one minute. This is your pulse!

Temperature Check

Your doctor takes your temperature to make sure you don’t have a fever.

Weight and Height Check

Your doctor measures how tall you are and how much you weigh. This helps them see if you’re growing well.

Looking at Different Parts of Your Body

Your doctor will look at many parts of your body:

• They look in your ears, nose, and throat
• They listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope
• They feel your tummy to check organs inside
• They look at your skin for any spots or rashes
• They check how well you move your arms and legs

Special Tests

Sometimes your doctor might ask for special tests to learn more about your health:

Blood Tests

A small amount of blood can tell your doctor a lot about your health! Blood tests can check for:

• Blood sugar levels (to check for diabetes)
• Cholesterol levels (to check for heart health)
• How well your body fights sickness

Urine Tests

Your doctor might ask you to pee in a cup. This can show how well your kidneys are working.

Talking About Your Questions

At the end of your checkup, your doctor will ask if you have any questions. This is a great time to talk about anything that worries you, like:

• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling sad often
• Pains in your body
• Questions about growing up

No question is silly – doctors have heard it all!

How To Get Ready For Your Checkup

Getting ready for your yearly checkup is easy! Here are some simple steps:

Make a List of Medicines

Write down any medicines you take. Include:

• Pills your doctor told you to take
• Vitamins
• Medicines you buy at the store without a doctor’s note

Think About Your Family’s Health

Ask your parents or grandparents if any health problems run in your family. Your doctor will want to know this.

Write Down Your Questions

If you have questions about your health, write them down before your visit so you don’t forget.

Know What to Wear

Wear clothes that are easy to take off and put back on. Your doctor might ask you to change into a paper gown for part of the exam.

When Should You Get Your Yearly Checkup?

Try to get a checkup once every year. Some people pick the same month each year, like their birth month, so they remember easily.

If you have health problems, your doctor might want to see you more often. That’s okay! More visits means more help staying healthy.

Why Annual Physicals Save Money

Getting a yearly checkup might cost a little money, but it saves a lot more money later! Finding and fixing small problems costs much less than treating big problems. Think of it like fixing a small leak in a boat before the whole boat sinks!

Most health insurance plans pay for yearly checkups because they know these visits help keep people healthy.

Special Checkups For Different Ages

As you grow, your checkups might change a little:

For Kids and Teens

• Check growth and development
• Make sure all shots are up to date
• Talk about school and friends
• Answer questions about growing up

For Adults

• Check for common adult health problems
• Talk about work stress
• Check for early signs of serious illness
• Talk about family planning

For Older Adults

• Check balance to prevent falls
• Make sure medicines work well together
• Check memory and thinking
• Talk about staying active and strong

What Your Yearly Checkup Cannot Do

A yearly checkup is very important, but it can’t do everything! It’s still important to:

• See your doctor when you feel sick
• Go to the dentist for teeth checkups
• See an eye doctor for eye checkups
• Tell your doctor if something feels wrong between checkups

Get Your Yearly Checkup at Yorktown Health Vernon Hills

At Yorktown Health Vernon Hills, our doctors care about keeping you healthy. Dr. Shawn George and Nurse Practitioner Chandni Patel Sheth are here to help with your yearly checkup.

We take care of people of all ages – from little kids to grandparents! Our friendly team will make sure your visit is comfortable and helpful.

Final Thoughts

Your yearly checkup is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy. It helps find problems early, teaches you how to stay well, and builds a good relationship with your doctor.

Don’t wait until you feel sick to see your doctor. Make your yearly checkup part of your health routine, just like brushing your teeth or eating vegetables!

Call Yorktown Health Vernon Hills today to set up your yearly checkup. Your future self will thank you for taking this important step to stay healthy and strong!