Seeing a regular primary care professional is one of the most important first steps in taking control of your health.
“Many people don’t have a primary care doctor until they get older and start feeling some type of illness or pain,” explains Dr. Alana Biggers, an internal medicine physician at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Healthcare professionals who work in primary care help you coordinate many of the preventive care measures that allow you to be proactive about your health, including regular testing and screening that might help slow or stop issues before they occur.
These types of professionals include not only doctors, but also advanced practice providers like nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Biggers also emphasizes the importance of finding a primary care physician who you’re comfortable with. You should trust them enough to talk about sensitive issues, such as your lifestyle choices and sexual health.
“It’s not a one-visit type of thing; it’s a relationship that you build over time,” she notes.
Dr. Avi Varma, a family medicine physician and HIV specialist in Atlanta, Georgia, adds that it’s normal to feel uncomfortable talking about certain aspects of your health. Your physician should respect your boundaries and help create a judgment-free zone where you feel comfortable discussing your health when you’re ready.
If you don’t already have a primary care physician, now is a great time to establish that partnership.
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