Seeing a primary care provider (PCP) is one of the most important steps you can take in maintaining your health. A PCP is a medical doctor who is trained to provide preventative and curative care for both acute and chronic illnesses. These providers are knowledgeable about many aspects of the body, including the cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, neurological system, psychological system, and more.
So, when should you see a PCP? Here are some tips to help guide you.
The Importance of Regular Checkups
Regular visits with a primary care provider (PCP) are essential for maintaining good physical health. Your PCP is trained to assess potential medical problems before they become serious issues and provide appropriate treatment, as necessary. These visits also provide an opportunity for your doctor to help you stay healthy in other ways, such as providing advice about nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, stress management, chronic disease management, and immunizations.
Acute Symptoms
It’s also important to seek medical advice if you start experiencing any new symptoms or changes in existing ones—such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, or chills—that could indicate a serious health issue like heart disease or pneumonia. If these issues go untreated for too long, they can lead to more complications down the line. Even if the issue turns out not to be serious, your PCP will still be able to provide appropriate treatment options, so you can get back on track as soon as possible.
Routine Visits
During routine visits, your PCP will assess your overall health, which includes monitoring your blood pressure, glucose (blood sugar), respiratory function, and physical fitness. They will also answer any questions you have about your health or lifestyle choices. Routine visits are especially important if you have any pre-existing conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, so the PCP can monitor your progress and make sure they are being managed appropriately.
Asymptomatic Screenings
It’s recommended that everyone have routine physicals every year. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, it’s still important to visit your PCP for routine screenings like blood pressure checks, blood glucose testing, cholesterol screening, and cancer screenings (breast exams), depending on age and sex. These screenings are designed to detect diseases early on—when they’re more treatable—so, getting regular check-ups is essential for maintaining good health over time.
Chronic Conditions
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it’s important to follow up with your PCP regularly for check-ups and medication management. Your PCP will be able to assess how well your condition is being managed from both a physical perspective, as well as from a mental health perspective (since many chronic conditions can affect mental well-being, too). They’ll also be able to offer advice on lifestyle changes that may help improve your health over time.
Primary Care Providers in The Bronx, NY
Starling Diagnostics provides comprehensive primary care services tailored specifically for patients in the Bronx area looking for personalized service with an emphasis on preventative medicine and chronic disease management. Our board-certified primary care physicians and internal medicine specialists provide a full range of primary care services, from physical exams and immunizations to chronic disease management, health screenings, and community health services.
Call us at (718) 319-1610 or request an appointment today with one of our physicians.
