What happens in a wellness visit?
In a wellness visit, Dr. Shende performs a whole-body checkup and compares your current results with those from your last wellness visit. Wellness visits, as the name implies, are done when you’re well, rather than when you need quick relief from illness or injury. Wellness exams focus on your whole-body health and are generally separate from women’s health exams, which focus mainly on your reproductive health.
Wellness visits can be adjusted for your specific needs so that each visit can be somewhat unique. Dr. Shende examines virtually of all parts of your body, which typically includes checking your:
- Blood pressure
- Height and weight
- Skin
- Lungs
- Heart
- Thyroid glands and lymph nodes
- Abdomen
- Ears
- Eyes
If Dr. Shende notes any significant changes or has a cause for concern, she might perform a more in-depth check right away or recommend specialized testing.
What does the doctor screen for during my wellness exam?
Dr. Shende screens for a wide range of diseases, chronic conditions, and illnesses during your wellness exams. To get the most accurate picture of your current health, Dr. Shende will ask you a series of questions about any changes you’ve noticed. Be as frank as possible with her so she can identify potential problems, and help you avoid them.
The wellness exam is often the time when Dr. Shende identifies emerging health issues, such as prediabetes. If you have high blood sugar, but it’s not so high that you have diabetes, Dr. Shende can help you take action, such as recommending weight management, to avoid developing type 2 diabetes. For diabetes and many other conditions, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, early detection can be enormously beneficial in managing and even reversing the problem.
How often do I need wellness exams?
Most men and women should have wellness exams at least once a year. Dr. Shende will discuss wellness exam frequency with you and can make changes in frequency as your needs change. Some people need to have more frequent wellness exams, such as older adults with complex health needs who might require geriatric care wellness exams more often than once a year.
Use online booking or call the office of Archana Shende, MD, to arrange your wellness visit now.
