5 reasons to make Primary Care a priority this year
- Category: Community, Health & Wellness, Primary Care
- Posted on:
NOLA, it’s been a challenging couple of years for all of us. Our routines and plans were disrupted, our celebrations were delayed, and our definition of “normal” has been flipped upside-down. It’s no wonder we could all use a little extra TLC about now.
With COVID-19 variants continuing to threaten the health of our communities, it can feel like the tough times just won’t quit. While we can’t always control what happens next, we can take steps to prioritize, protect, and care for our health.
You already know that prioritizing self-care means filling up on nutritious foods, moving your body, and checking in with your mental health. But did you know that building a relationship with a Primary Care Provider is another essential step in taking care of yourself?
As we head into the new year, here are 5 reasons why you should make Primary Care your top priority:
1. It’s a one-stop-shop for healthcare
When you have a Primary Care provider, you can go to one place for all of your routine care and health services. Primary Care providers are focused on holistic health care, which means they are trained to treat a little bit of everything, while coordinating your care from a central location.
So whether you are feeling under the weather, have a question about your health, need to get up-to-date with vaccines, or all of the above—a good Primary Care provider can help you take care of everything in one easy visit.
2. Spot problems before they become serious
Regularly visiting your Primary Care provider can help them become familiar with your baseline health and measurements. That can help them spot any changes or unusual symptoms before they get worse or become major issues.
3. Manage existing conditions more easily
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Existing health conditions like diabetes, arthritis, or high cholesterol can be difficult to manage on your own. Your primary care provider can schedule routine tests so you can have the most up-to-date information about your conditions and can help you stay on track in terms of taking your medications.
4. Get advice when you need it
While your primary care provider is trained to help both your physical and mental health, certain conditions may require a visit to a specialist. Your primary care provider can work with you to determine when specialty care is needed, and help you figure out where to go. They can also provide referrals and recommendations for different services as needed.
5. They know you best
By building a relationship with your primary care provider over time, you’ll feel more comfortable having conversations about your health and asking questions to ensure your needs are met. Routine visits with your provider not only help with your comfort level, but they also help your provider build and understanding of your health history.
A complete knowledge of your health history is essential for the prevention of disease, and can help your doctor catch any early warning signs or symptoms.
