Let's Get Physical

Many doctors still offer annual checkups to all patients, but groups such as the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) now base their recommendations for how often you should have a check upon your age and your medical history.

For example, if you are a healthy adult under age 40, your doctor may suggest a physical once every few years. Once you hit age 40, or if you have health concerns such as obesity or a family history of heart disease, your doctor may want to see you annually or even more than once a year.

Checkups are a good time for your doctor to schedule screening tests such as a glucose test to check for diabetes, colonoscopy to check for colon cancer and bone density test to check for osteoporosis. Plus, it’s best for your doctor to get to know you and your health history before you come in for an office visit because you are sick.