Five Reasons To Make That Well Visit Appointment

If you’ve put off seeing your doctor for fear of catching or spreading the COVID-19 virus, Bayfront Health Medical Group wants you to know it’s safe and important to come in.

Precautions for your safety include scheduling well-visits in the morning and ill visits for the afternoon, masking, checking temperature of all clinic visitors, screening clinic staff during the shift, and enhanced cleaning of commonly touched surfaces.

“It’s important for members of our community to put their health first,” said Fatin Albezargan, M.D., family medicine provider with Bayfront Health Medical Group. “An ongoing relationship with a provider you know and trust can help you make a plan to reach–and maintain–your health goals for the long term.”

Here are five reasons to make an appointment for your next well-visit or check-up without delay.

1. Check on your general health. The clinic has a record of your health metrics over time, including cholesterol, blood sugar, weight and others. If any numbers are trending in the wrong direction, your doctor can help you make a plan to get back on track with lifestyle changes, diet or medical treatment.
 
2. Manage chronic conditions. Ongoing medical concerns, whether diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or others require regular monitoring by a provider to keep them from progressing to life-threatening levels. Regular checkups can help you avoid a medical crisis.

3. Identify issues early with routine screenings. The practice keeps records of your screening exams to help you remember when it’s time to get your colonoscopy, mammogram, bone density test, prostate exam and other screenings. Early identification of many illnesses can give you the most options for treatment and better outcomes.

4.  Stay current on vaccinations for your protection. While you’re hearing plenty of news about the COVID-19 vaccine, there are a number of other vaccinations to prevent disease as your immune system weakens over time. Flu shots annually. Tetanus shots every ten years. Vaccines for shingles and pneumonia and more. The practice will remind you when it’s time to get your immunizations.

5. Keep prescriptions updated. Bring a full list of your medications, including any over-the-counter, so your physician has a complete picture of what you’re taking. An annual review can identify possible side effects or medication conflicts.

Of course, the best reason of all is peace of mind about your health. If you need help finding a physician, visit www.BayfrontMedicalGroup.com to be connected with one of Bayfront Health Medical Group’s qualified family medicine, internal medicine or gynecologic physicians. Telehealth and same-day appointments are available.

About Bayfront Health Medical Group
At Bayfront Health Medical Group, our providers, surgeons and staff live in the local community and remain committed to providing personalized care to each and every patient. We understand that any procedure or consultation can be a stressful event in your life, so our team is dedicated to minimizing that stress. We will meet with you and your family to explain procedures, review alternatives, recommend treatment plans, discuss associated risks and benefits and answer all of your questions. With offices in Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, North Port, and Arcadia, you’ll find the care of specialists in primary care, pediatrics, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and cardiac surgery. Morning and late afternoon appointments are often available. Bayfront Health Medical Group is affiliated with Bayfront Health Port Charlotte and Bayfront Health Punta Gorda, Joint Commission Accredited hospitals part of a regional network of six hospitals along the I-75 corridor.

To learn more, visit www.BayfrontMedicalGroup.com.

Sources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-your-
annual-check-up-is-still-important-to-your-health,
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/index.html