When you’re in college, making medical appointments for preventative care probably isn’t high on your priority list. You’re young, healthy, and might not yet have health insurance to cover expensive medical bills.
But, it’s important to understand that you’re not invincible or immune from certain things – even at your young age.
Even in college, it’s important to receive regular care to ensure you stay healthy as you continue your journey into adulthood. Whether you’re new to setting a schedule for yourself or you’re just starting to take your health more seriously, let’s cover a few medical appointments you shouldn’t put off.
Regular Dental Cleanings
It’s easy to ignore your oral health, even after college. But, now is the time to make it a priority and create a habit of seeing a dentist at least once a year. Regular cleanings typically don’t break the bank, and seeing your dentist annually can help you to avoid more expensive and painful procedures, like:
- Root canals
- Extractions
- Fillings
- Gingivitis treatment
Your oral health is more linked to other areas of your overall wellness than you might realize. It’s not enough to brush your teeth twice a day anymore. Make a dental appointment as soon as possible, and your whole body will be better off because of it.
Annual Checkups
Now is the time to establish a relationship with a primary care provider. By seeing a doctor annually, you can talk about any health concerns you might have. A doctor can also give you advice on how to take care of yourself properly, especially once they have an understanding of your family medical history.
Many primary care providers will also regularly do blood work to monitor your health and stay on top of any changes that might occur from year to year. Things like blood pressure and cholesterol levels can be seen in lab results, and knowing where you might need to make changes to stay healthy is important.
Wellness exams are designed to keep you healthy and reduce your risk of developing a serious medical condition. If you do end up having some kind of condition or illness, yearly checkups will make it easier to manage. A primary care provider will work with you on a treatment plan to keep you as healthy as possible.
A good rule of thumb is to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider every year before school starts. It’s a great way to start the year out on the right foot, knowing you’re healthy.
Additionally, women should make annual appointments with a gynecologist. College-aged women aren’t immune from certain types of cancer, including:
- Breast cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Cervical cancer
Yearly appointments with an OBGYN can screen for these and other potential issues, and ensure that your reproductive system is healthy.
If you’ve been putting off medical appointments or simply haven’t been giving them much thought, now is the time to start. By scheduling regular check-ups now, you’re taking charge of your health at a young age, which will make it easier to stay strong and healthy as you get older.
BIO: Sam Bowman has a passion for learning. As a seasoned professional writer, he specializes in topics about people, education, tech and how they merge. In his spare time he likes running, reading, and combining the two in a run to his local bookstore.
