What Can I Expect During My Wellness Exam?

Your good health, in many ways, is up to you. And one important tool for staying healthy is an annual wellness exam. Here’s why.

Approximately 60% of adults in the United States suffer from a chronic disease like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, and four out of ten have two or more severe conditions. 

With numbers like that, it’s important to take control of your health. You can start by eating nutritious foods, exercising, getting enough sleep nightly, and quitting smoking.

But you can take it a step further by getting an annual wellness exam with Monique Petteys, a family nurse practitioner at The Women's Center at Life Point Medical in Clayton, Georgia. 

This simple and important exam can help us spot warning signs or diagnose a problem early so we can treat it successfully. If you’ve never had a wellness exam, here’s what to expect.

Being proactive is good practice

Do you only go to a health care professional when you’re sick? If so, you’re not alone.

People have lots of excuses for skipping wellness exams. They’re too busy or think that annual wellness exams are a waste of time. But many preventable illnesses and conditions start small and don’t show symptoms right away, like heart disease. 

Annual wellness exams help your provider keep track of vital health stats. For example, if your blood pressure or cholesterol levels are high, an annual exam can reveal these conditions, and you can start bringing those numbers down. 

The same goes for monitoring your weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing many chronic conditions, like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. By working with your health professional to lose weight, you’ll improve your short-term and future health.

What happens at a wellness exam?

If you have a family history of chronic or serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or strokes, an annual wellness exam can help you manage your risk factors. 

Here’s what you can expect at your annual wellness exam:

• Cholesterol screenings
• Blood pressure readings
• Weight loss and weight management
• Vaccinations
• Discussing medications
• Support for depression and other mental health problems
• Osteoporosis screenings
• Support for alcohol and substance abuse 
• Resources for quitting smoking
• Diabetes management
• Cancer screenings
• Bloodwork

Make an investment in your health 

Going to your annual wellness exam is making an investment in your future that guarantees returns. 

Even if you haven’t been to a health professional in many years or are in good health, a checkup can detect early warning signs so you can take action now. 

Don’t put your health at risk any longer. You can schedule a wellness exam at The Women's Center at Life Point Medical by calling 706-250-7306 or by using our online scheduling tool.