What Does the Carotid Artery Do?
Your arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to other areas of your body, and your carotid artery is just one of your major arteries. Read on to learn more about this artery and how you can keep it healthy.
Why Men Shouldn't Skip Annual Exams and Preventive Screenings
As Men’s Health Month rolls around, it's time to talk about something important: your health. Yep, that's right — this June, Dr. Rogers Walker and the Walker Family Care team in Little River, South Carolina, are focusing on the annual exams and preventive screenings that best support your health needs.
Preventive screenings that you shouldn’t skip
During your exam, Dr. Walker reviews your vital signs, takes your health history, and discusses any current symptoms you have. He’ll also suggest the screenings that are best for you based on your personal and family health history. Screenings are tests that check for signs of a condition or illness before you actually experience symptoms.
Bloodwork at an on-site lab can help diagnose and monitor conditions like diabetes, anemia, or high cholesterol. If you’re on medications to manage a chronic condition, your lab work can help confirm that your current treatment is working.
Beyond bloodwork, Dr. Walker may suggest other screenings based on your unique risk factors. This may include:
- Blood pressure check (a painless screening done in our office with a sphygmomanometer)
- Prostate exam
- Various screenings for cancer, including lung cancer screenings, skin cancer screenings, and PSA test
If your annual exam or any of your screenings reveal that you have a chronic condition, Dr. Walker can make sure you get started on the right next steps.
Why your annual exam is important
About 33% of men skip their annual exam. The survey revealed that as many as 65% of men believed they were healthier than others (and therefore didn’t need an exam), but the truth is that even if you feel fine, you shouldn’t skip your appointment.
Ignoring your health can lead to serious consequences down the road. Here's why you should make those appointments and show up for those screenings:
Early detection can save your life
You might feel fine right now, but that doesn't mean everything is A-OK inside. After all, high blood pressure is asymptomatic, which is why it’s dubbed the silent killer.
Annual exams and screenings can catch potential health issues (like high blood pressure) early, when they're easier to treat. Schedule screenings now before it's too late to do something about it.
Preventive care can help you avoid issues
Routine exams and screenings can detect issues early on, but they can also help you prevent them altogether.
How does your exam help prevent issues? Regular check-ups can help identify risk factors and lifestyle habits that could lead to future issues. It's all about staying proactive. For example, if your routine blood work shows that you have prediabetes, you can make lifestyle choices to reverse your prediabetes and avoid a full-blown diabetes diagnosis.
Vaccines during your annual exam can also help prevent conditions like the flu.
Knowledge is power
Many people — both men and women — may avoid an exam out of fear. What if the lab results reveal that you have diabetes? What if you find out you’re at risk for heart disease? What if you have XYZ? These are common concerns, but ignorance isn't bliss when it comes to your health.
The more you know about your body, any potential risks, or current issues, the better equipped you are to make informed decisions about your lifestyle and healthcare. Here at Walker Family Care, our team is here to help you manage issues that pop up whether that’s hypertension, high cholesterol, or even diabetes.
Get tailored guidance
If you’re trying to eat better and lose weight but struggling to get the results you need, you aren’t alone. Dr. Walker can provide tailored lifestyle guidance based on your health goals. In addition to simply reaching a healthy weight, lifestyle modifications (like exercise and sleep hygiene) can help you manage conditions too, and Dr. Walker can help you put a plan into place.
Your exam isn’t just about you
Remember, your health doesn't just affect you — it impacts your loved ones, too. Skipping out on screenings and check-ups could mean missing out on precious time with family and friends in the long run. Take care of yourself for their sake.
Scheduling exams and screenings can also model good self-care — something that your sons or nephews can put into practice when they’re grown.
Put your health first this June
Give us a call at 843-280-8333, and put your health first. You can also schedule your annual exam by clicking here.
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