Annual checkups can provide peace of mind
Q: Are annual checkups a smart idea or a waste of time and money, just looking for trouble that’s not there?
A: There are groups that say it’s not necessary to have an annual wellness check for low-risk patients, and it is true that studies don’t conclusively show they make you live longer or prevent heart attacks, for example. But annual checkups have many benefits — and another consideration we might add: Who exactly is low risk? Not many folks. Overweight and obesity, prediabetes, diabetes, a roster of other chronic conditions, as well as sleep problems, all put you in a moderateto high-risk category — as does a poor diet, lack of exercise and smoking.
Researchers from Northwestern University recently reviewed 32 studies conducted between 1963 and 2021 and concluded that a lot of people who see a doctor only when they are sick shortchange themselves — there’s no time to catch up on how things are going or detect an emerging chronic disease, determine if ongoing prescriptions are correct or catch up with missed routine tests.
At your checkup, your doc can make sure you have had or have scheduled a mammogram or prostate check; do blood tests for cholesterol, lipid, inflammation, blood sugar and vitamin levels; check your blood pressure; do a skin check; test for infectious diseases such as chlamydia or HIV if needed; evaluate your weight/obesity and mental health issues; and catch you up on vaccinations.
Another benefit the researchers saw was in the general sense of wellbeing that patients say they have after routine visits. That uplifted attitude turns out to be important to health and well-being over time. So for most of you, an annual check-in and checkup is smart. For a checklist of items to get screened or check for, go to “Health screenings for women ages 18 to 39” and “Health screenings for men ages 18 to 39” at medline.gov.
Q: Where I live, most folks have been vaccinated, but I still feel kind of scared and depressed and can’t quite step back into regular life. Any suggestions?
Rory F., Westfield, N.J.
A: Lots of people are expressing the same kind of trepidation, and it isn’t surprising. You worked so hard to accept the necessity of being cut off and now it’s hard to undo it. Our advice: Go slow.
Wear your mask whenever you feel like it. It will decrease the aging effects of air pollution and probably diminish infections from various airborne viruses. Experiment with taking your mask off when you’re outdoors exercising or sitting with friends. Ask one or two vaccinated friends over for a meal. If sitting at a table seems too close, eat off tray tables that are positioned at a distance from each other in a den or living room. You can stop wiping down your deliveries (they figured that out a while ago) but stick with hand-washing. It helps prevent colds and flu, too. Taking these first steps should show you that you can be comfortable with more interaction.
Some new insights into helping ease depression may be useful as well. One study found that taking omega-3 supplements eases symptoms of depression by reducing inflammation — participants taking DHA omega-3 saw a 71 percent reduction. While they were taking a higher dose (1,400 mg) than is often advised, it does indicate that it’s smart to eat fatty fish like salmon. After all, one 3-ounce serving delivers 1.24 grams (that’s 1,240 milligrams) of DHA.
Online therapy might also help. It’s estimated that 50 million folks worldwide have used it during the pandemic, and mental health apps saw a 200 percent increase in users. One study of people who were especially isolated during the pandemic found that 12 online sessions ease anxiety and depression. We hope you let yourself enjoy the company of your near and dear, get out and interact with the world.