If you’re like many men, you may not have had a routine physical
in a while. According to the American Medical Association, men are 24%
less likely than women to have seen a doctor in the past year. This means
men often miss the opportunity to learn they have pre-diabetic conditions
or gain the advantages of detecting diabetes early. Early detection helps
avoid some of the more serious health conditions associated with diabetes
like heart disease and stroke (American Diabetes Association). Not only
has the number of Americans with diabetes tripled in the last 20 years,
it is now the seventh-leading cause of death in Catawba County according
to the Catawba County Public Health Department.
Routine physicals offer an excellent opportunity for detecting it early
and reversing the likelihood of developing related conditions such as
vision loss, nerve damage, or circulation problems in feet and legs,”
says Annette Crombie, CVMC Diabetes Education Coordinator. “If it’s
been more than two years since you’ve seen your primary care doctor,
it’s probably time to make that appointment”.
What happens at a physical and how often you need one depends on your health
and age. A physical itself typically includes a head-to-toe exam, a blood
pressure check and blood testing for glucose (blood sugar) glucose and
cholesterol levels. During a checkup, doctors frequently ask questions
to identify habits that might put you at risk for developing diabetes
in the future. Depending on your lifestyle and family medical history,
your doctor may suggest additional diagnostic tests or vaccines.
“Even if you haven’t been to a doctor in 20 years,” Crombie
says, “scheduling a physical is the first step to being a more active
participant in your own health and early intervention is important to
preventing serious conditions such as diabetes and associated complications.”
Finding a doctor is easy….just call the Catawba Valley Medical Center
Physician Referral Line at 828-485-2300. The attendant can help you find
a family physician near your home or business and also help you with a
referral to one of the many specialists affiliated with Catawba Valley
Medical Center. Click here to find out more about the 43 providers associated
with CVMC in the Catawba Valley Medical Group and its 12 family practices.
Many of our Primary Care Physicians have received national recognition
from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for providing
quality care to patients with diabetes.
