Why are regular preventive medical check-ups so important?
Many folks visit the doctor only when they become ill or are experiencing major discomfort. However, having regular preventive medical check-ups is absolutely vital to staying healthy. Here are just a few reasons.
Check-ups help catch conditions before they become serious
Many illnesses can be avoided by following your doctor’s lifestyle recommendations. Non-transmissible illnesses, according to the PAHO (Pan-American Health Organization), are the #1 cause of death and disability worldwide. Among these are cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic pulmonary illnesses.
In addition, keeping your family’s vaccine schedule up-to-date is crucial to preventing illnesses in young and old alike. For example, according to the CDC, the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes more than 27,000 cancer cases annually among women and men. Shingles, which can be prevented by vaccine, is contracted by 1 million people annually in the United States alone.
Many conditions can be controlled or even eradicated when diagnosed early
Several types of cancers can be cured if discovered early on. Cervical cancer, for example, is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. This disease can be detected through routine exams.
Colorectal cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States, can also be diagnosed through preventive check-ups. With timely treatment, it can be cured entirely.
Regular check-ups positively impact your life
Regular medical check-ups and doctor consults bring factors to the forefront that can positively or negatively impact your health. Your doctor will point out things you can act upon, like improving your diet, or adding exercise to your daily routine. Here are some important statistics from the WHO (World Health Organization) to consider:
- Tobacco is responsible for more than 8 million deaths a year (including the side effects of exposure to second-hand smoke).
- Excess salt and sodium intake may contribute to 1.8 million deaths annually.
- Insufficient physical activity may cause more than 800,000 deaths per year.
Yes. Depending upon the VUMI plan you’ve selected, visits to doctors and specialists are included, as well as diagnostic studies, such as lab tests, MRIs, CT scans, among others.
Remember, don’t wait until you feel unwell to visit your doctor. Consult your insurance agent to find out how to schedule an annual preventive medical check-up, just one of your VUMI plan’s comprehensive benefits.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/vpd-sp.html
https://www.paho.org/es/temas/enfermedades-no-transmisibles
https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer
https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000262.htm
