Annual Wellness Visit

What is an annual wellness visit?

An annual wellness visit is preventive health care focused on finding risks before they cause problems. Unlike regular checkups that address existing symptoms, wellness visits examine your complete health picture to prevent future illness. Amanda and her team review family history, lifestyle factors, and current health status to identify potential issues early. 

The goal is catching and treating risk factors for chronic conditions when they’re still manageable.

What happens during an annual wellness visit?

Your visit begins with discussing new health issues since your last checkup. Amanda asks about medication changes, family health updates, and lifestyle factors affecting your well-being. Then, she performs a complete physical exam, checking vital signs and examining you for early signs of health problems. 

She takes time to understand your health goals and concerns. Amanda recommends appropriate screenings and tests relevant to your situation based on what she finds.

Why is an annual wellness visit important?

Many health conditions develop quietly for years, including: 

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol 
• Arthritis
• Heart disease
• Asthma and chronic lung conditions

These problems often show no apparent symptoms until they’ve caused irreversible damage. Regular wellness visits spot these issues early when treatment is simple and more effective. You can prevent serious complications later by catching problems early.

What screenings might I need during my annual wellness visit?

The screenings depend on age, gender, family history, and current health concerns. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to prevention.

Common screenings include:

• Blood pressure and cholesterol checks
• Blood sugar testing
• Cancer screenings (breast, cervical, colorectal)
• Osteoporosis screening
• Hearing and vision tests

Some patients worry they might miss critical tests. Others feel overwhelmed by too many screenings. Amanda and her team find the balance by evaluating your actual risk factors against the cost and invasiveness of each test.

How should I prepare for my visit?

Write down any health questions or concerns you want to discuss. Bring a complete list of vitamins, medications, and supplements you take. Think about family health history updates — new diagnoses in relatives can change your risk factors. Amanda and her team use this information to create a personalized prevention plan that addresses your needs. 

The Altamont Family Health & Integrative Medicine team uses annual wellness visits to help you stay ahead of health problems throughout life. Call to schedule your appointment or book online to take control of your health.