Do you ever outgrow seeing a doctor for a check-up? As you age, different things become important to your health. David Doud, DO, a board-certified internal medicine specialist with Trinity Health Medical Group – Grand Rapids, shared some important things to consider, over the decades.
Q: Why should I see my doctor if I feel healthy and well?
Dr. Doud: It is important to establish a professional relationship with your primary care physician (PCP) as you build a health history with them. Consistent visits can make it easier to spot issues that come up over time, and provide preventative care and screenings to keep you as healthy as possible. That can include an annual physical or Medicare examination, where you can discuss your mental health, monitor chronic conditions, get your vaccinations, and receive personalized health advice such as diet and exercise, alcohol use or tobacco cessation.
Q: If I see specialists (i.e., cardiologist, pulmonologist), why should I see a primary care physician for a year-end check-up?
Dr. Doud: Your PCP can help you understand everything a specialist might be doing for you and ensure nothing is missed that might not be within their specialty. Your PCP can help with medication management, give you a holistic perspective, and discuss comprehensive and preventative health with you.
Q: Do adults need vaccines?
Dr. Doud: Yes, it’s important to stay current with your vaccinations. They can help protect you from serious complications and ward off illnesses. Here is a general guideline for vaccinations, but you and your PCP should decide if they’re right for you:
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COVID-19: yearly, certain populations every six months
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Influenza: yearly
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Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis: every 10 years
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Human papillomavirus (HPV): young adults (generally males up to age 26, females up to age 45)
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Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococcal vaccines: discuss with your PCP
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Pneumococcal: one – three vaccines as an adult; discuss with your PCP
Q: Are there health milestones in my 20-30s?
Dr. Doud: You should start in your 20s, but it is never too late to establish a long-term relationship with your PCP. Adults over 20 should get their blood pressure checked every two years and begin cholesterol screenings; discuss mental and sexual health; and discuss family history that might cause some cancer screenings to start early, such as breast, colon and cervical.
Q: What should I pay attention to in my 40-50s?
Dr. Doud: This is the time you definitely want to see your PCP every year. Often in the 40s is when we begin screening for colorectal cancer (age 45), breast cancer (females), possibly prostate cancer (males), and ongoing screenings for cervical cancer (females). Other screenings can include blood work to make sure your kidneys, cholesterol and blood sugars are doing okay. Mental health, high blood pressure, weight, sexual health, and immunizations are ongoing screenings or discussions, amongst others, to have with your PCP. Adults 50-80 with a 20-pack year smoking history and who have smoked within the past 15 years should discuss lung cancer screening. Take the next step and complete a short lung health screening, today.
Q: What should I expect at a check-up when I’m in my 60-70s?
Dr. Doud: If you have any chronic conditions at this stage, it is always good to stay current on them to prevent any hospitalizations. Medicare wellness examinations are great for screening various things, such as cognitive and mental health, and to make sure you are doing okay in your home, such as screening for falls. Other things to discuss are ongoing screening bloodwork to make sure your cardiovascular health is optimized to prevent heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. You might be wrapping up some of your cancer screenings, such as cervical at age 65 and colorectal at age 75.
If men were smokers at any point in their life, they should discuss abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening between 65-75. Females should be screened for osteoporosis in this time frame.
You can ask your PCP about aging resources and discuss your future health care goals, including advanced care directives. It’s important to let your doctor and family know who you want to make your decisions for you if you cannot.
Q: Will my insurance cover a year-end check-up?
Dr. Doud: You would need to check with your plan, but many health insurance policies include coverage for yearly wellness visits.
Not sure what appointments or screenings you need? We can help! Based on your age and gender, we can recommend suggested screenings and procedures. Download your decade flyer.
Don’t have a primary care physician or an annual appointment scheduled? Find a Trinity Health Michigan doctor who fits your needs. Language assistance and interpreter services in more than 50 languages are available.