Did you know you can lower your risk for lifestyle-related diseases and health conditions with regular wellness check-ups?
Annual wellness visits can help identify and treat health issues before they become symptomatic, increasing your chances of recovery.
What Is a Wellness Visit?
A wellness visit is an annual check-up with your doctor to ensure you stay healthy and catch potential health concerns early.
It’s important to be honest with your doctor. Withholding information (whether you think it’s relevant or not) can harm your overall wellness. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to discuss sensitive topics—your doctor has probably heard them already.
Next, we answer, “What is considered a wellness visit,” by explaining everything this type of check-up covers.
What Does a Wellness Visit Cover?
When you visit Alamo City Urgent Care for a wellness visit, we will gather information such as height, weight, blood pressure, eyesight, reflexes, lungs, and heart function.
A board-certified physician will also conduct a clinical history, which will include the following:
- Dates of your previous tests and their results, such as immunizations, pap tests, blood pressure readings, etc.
- Complete family history will give your doctor an idea of what conditions are common in your family.
- Alcohol and drug use.
- Eating and sleeping habits.
- Urination and bowel movements.
During a wellness visit, your doctor will also check your body composition and vitals to gauge your health status.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends core preventative screening to help you stay healthy, detect health problems early, prevent certain diseases, and determine the most effective treatments. Recommended screening services for adult men and women include:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Prostate cancer (for men)
- Breast cancer (Mammogram for women)
- Cervical cancer (for women)
- Bone density (for women)
- Colorectal cancer
- Blood glucose
- Skin cancer
- Testicular cancer (for men)
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (for women)
- Oral wellness
Annual wellness check-ups are intended for people of all ages but are particularly beneficial for individuals:
- Aged 65 and older.
- With a history of smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
- Suffering from a chronic health condition.
- With a family history of lifestyle conditions.
Urgent care centers are a fast and easy way to stay up to date with your annual wellness visits and preventive screenings.
The Benefits of Getting a Wellness Visit at Urgent Care
Getting an urgent care wellness visit offers several great benefits:
- Convenience and accessibility.
Alamo City Urgent Care offers extended and weekend hours to help busy individuals and families get the care they need. - Shorter wait times.
No need to wait for an appointment. Our urgent care centers provide wellness visits on a walk-in basis. - Cost-effective.
Regular wellness screenings can help reduce long-term medical costs. According to research, most Americans don’t have annual check-ups because of the cost, but the long-term effect of managing a condition is typically more expensive. - Manage stress-related conditions.
Depression and anxiety attacks are on the rise. Detecting trends and risks can help prevent mental deterioration. - Personalized care.
Stay healthy and vibrant with personalized care and attention that addresses your specific health concerns and conditions.
Please note: Urgent Care wellness visits may not be covered by your insurance plan. Each insurance plan is unique and may only be covered at your primary care office.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Check-up?
Follow these tips to ensure you get the most out of your wellness visit:
- Prepare your medical history.
This includes reviewing your family’s medical history. Check if any relatives have experienced new conditions since your last wellness visit. Remember, some of the lifestyle conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart and cardiovascular diseases, among others, run in families, and it is important to share this information with the doctors for preventive care.- Bring a list of current medications.
- Bring your vaccination record.
- Bring any recent lab results or medical reports.
- Bring relevant documents (e.g., insurance card and identification).
- Note any chronic conditions, past surgeries, or significant illnesses.
- List your concerns.
Write down any worrisome symptoms or health concerns you have, no matter how minor they may seem. Prepare questions about your health, lifestyle, or preventive measures. - Take notes.
Record important information for later reference (e.g., instructions, recommendations, or next steps). - Schedule follow-up appointments with your primary care provider or specialist (if necessary).
How Is a Wellness Visit Different From a Physical?
A wellness visit and physical exam do have some overlapping care services. However, their primary objectives are different.
Wellness Visit vs. Physical Exam
A wellness visit aims to focus on an individual’s overall health and well-being with an emphasis on preventive care. On the other hand, the objective of a physical exam is to perform a thorough examination of the body to assess an individual’s general health and diagnose any existing medical conditions.
How Often Should I Get a Wellness Visit?
Wellness visits are typically recommended at least once annually. However, this may vary depending on your age, gender, overall health, and risk factors for certain health conditions.
For example, high-risk individuals or those with chronic medical conditions may need more frequent visits to manage this health effectively. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out how often you need one.
Visit Alamo City Urgent Care for Your Annual Wellness Visit
At our wellness clinic in San Antonio, you can expect fast, efficient care that helps you maintain optimal health. For faster urgent care services, find a location near you and book an appointment today.
