Annual physicals are one of the best ways to stay healthy because they can help you identify potential problems early. At Genesis Functional Medicine in Bastrop, Texas, Robert Dougherty, MD, and the dedicated support team work together to monitor all aspects of your whole-body health. For comprehensive annual physicals, including blood work in the on-site lab, call the office or book online today.
Annual physicals are whole-body health and wellness evaluations that usually begin with a review of your medical history.
Your Genesis Functional Medicine care provider reviews your medical history and compares past health to your current health to look for changes.
Additionally, your care provider asks about your current lifestyle, including your smoking, drinking, and other recreational habits that can affect your health.
Your care provider usually evaluates all of the following things during your annual physical:
Depending on your specific needs, your annual physical may also include immunizations or other routine care that you need to stay healthy. Blood work, to check your cholesterol and iron levels, for example, is often a part of your annual physical.
Genesis Functional Medicine can conduct blood work on-site in their own labs for your convenience.
Often, an annual physical is the first time that you learn you’re at risk for a chronic illness, such as diabetes or heart disease. That’s one of the best reasons to always have your annual physicals, even when you’re feeling great.
The early signs of chronic illness are often quite subtle, but your Genesis Functional Medicine care provider can identify these warning signs and help you put a prevention plan into action.
When you identify risk for chronic illness early enough, some basic lifestyle changes, including improved diet and exercise, can prevent the illness and keep you healthy.
Your annual exam is an opportunity to check overall health, but it also includes basic monitoring of your chronic condition. For example, if you have type 2 diabetes, your care provider will check on current medications or lifestyle changes and make alterations if needed.
But, when you have a chronic condition, it’s important to understand that you have to see your care provider more frequently. Depending on your chronic condition and your overall health, you might need checkups every few months to stay in peak health.
For convenient annual physicals from caring providers, call Genesis Functional Medicine or book your appointment online today.
