Annual Wellness Exams: Why They’re Crucial for Long-Term Health
When it comes to protecting your long-term health, preventive care is key. One of the most valuable tools in that effort is the annual wellness exam, a yearly visit with your primary care provider (PCP) designed to help catch potential health concerns before they become more serious.
At AO Multispecialty Clinic, we focus on providing expert specialty care in areas such as oncology, rheumatology, urology, and more. While wellness exams are typically handled by your primary care physician, they play an important role in guiding the specialized care we provide when needed.
Here’s why keeping up with your annual wellness exam matters, what to expect during the visit, and how it fits into your broader health journey.
Why Annual Wellness Exams Matter
Even if you feel healthy, an annual check-in with your primary care provider helps ensure you stay that way. Wellness exams focus on prevention, screening, and early detection of issues such as:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Certain cancers
These conditions often develop without noticeable symptoms. A wellness exam helps catch them early, when treatment is typically simpler and more effective.
Your PCP can also help assess personal risk factors based on your age, family history, and lifestyle, offer guidance on screenings, lifestyle changes, or follow-up care that can help you stay on track with your health goals.
What to Expect During an Annual Wellness Exam
While each visit may vary based on individual needs, most annual wellness exams include:
- Health History Review: Discussing your personal and family medical history, medications, and any recent symptoms.
- Physical Exam: Checking your vital signs and conducting a general physical assessment.
- Preventive Screenings: Depending on your age and risk factors, this might include screenings for conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, cancer, or osteoporosis.
- Immunizations: Making sure your vaccinations are current.
- Lifestyle Counseling: Addressing topics such as diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and tobacco/alcohol use.
- Mental Health Check-In: Many providers include screenings for anxiety, depression, or cognitive changes.
Most insurance plans cover these visits at no cost, making them an easy and affordable way to stay proactive about your health.
How Specialty Care Fits Into Your Preventive Health Plan
If your annual wellness exam reveals something that requires further evaluation, such as abnormal test results, a suspicious finding, or ongoing symptoms, your primary care provider may refer you to a specialist.
That’s where AO Multispecialty Clinic comes in. Our team works closely with referring physicians to provide specialized expertise in diagnosing and managing more complex health concerns. From oncology to rheumatology to urology, we help patients take the next step in their healthcare journey with advanced testing, treatment options, and long-term condition management.
Staying Proactive Between Checkups
While annual wellness exams are a crucial part of preventive care, it’s also important to pay attention to any new or worsening symptoms between visits. Don’t ignore signs like unexplained fatigue, sudden weight changes, persistent pain, or shortness of breath. If something doesn’t feel right, reach out to your PCP or contact our team if you’ve already been referred for specialty care.
Partnering in Your Long-Term Health
At AO Multispecialty Clinic, we’re committed to supporting your long-term health alongside your primary care team. By combining preventive care through your PCP with specialty services from our providers, you’ll have a more complete and coordinated healthcare experience.
If it’s been a while since your last wellness exam, now is a great time to schedule that appointment with your primary care physician. And if you ever need specialty follow-up, we’re here to help.
Visit www.aomsc.com or call (706) 736-1830 to learn more about the specialty services we provide and how we can support your healthcare journey.
