Everyone wants to stay healthy. However, not everyone makes the choices that can help them ensure their bodies remain in good health. Including a diet and performing regular exercise are certainly both good decisions to make. However, another vital decision that you should make to keep your health in check is to attend annual checkups. Attending checkups is one of the most important things you can do to prevent any serious health issues down the future. It will allow you to detect any concerns early on and treat them as soon as possible. The following are four checkups you should be having annually:

Eye Care

Even if you believe that your eyesight is unhindered, you should still schedule an appointment to see an eye care center annually. In the event that your vision does change, you can order glasses or contacts right then and there, so you are prepared to live your life normally. You may not even realize that your vision has changed until you have an examination. Eye care centers also ensure that your eyes–and your brain–are healthy. They can look for ulcers, tumors, and other health concerns that other doctors may not be looking for. Oftentimes, eye diseases can go undetected unless they are found by an eye doctor. You may not know what symptoms to look for yourself.

The Dentist

No one likes going to the dentist. However, this is another vital annual checkup that must be performed. Too many people skip going to the dentist and end up suffering from gum disease as a result. This is because simply brushing and flossing your teeth isn’t enough to keep harmful bacteria from destroying your gums and teeth. You need the equipment and service of dentists to properly remove plaque and ensure your teeth last for the rest of your life. Harmful bacteria in your mouth can even end up affecting your heart. Dental health runs much deeper than just keeping your teeth looking nice. Cavities or other dental issues can become very painful if they are ignored or aren’t detected early on.

Colonoscopy

Similar to the dentist, no one enjoys an annual colonoscopy either. While you might be able to get away with having your colon checked every few years, interestingly enough, colon cancer has been on the rise. This is especially true for younger adults. So, including a colonoscopy into your annual checkup routine certainly isn’t the worst idea that you could have. Many people ignore this checkup or avoid it out of fear. It is one of the most suggested types of checkups to get by doctors though.

Medical Checkup

Finally, you can always benefit from seeing your doctor regularly. Often called a physical or just an annual checkup, these appointments can make sure you’re maintaining a healthy weight, that your cholesterol and blood pressure are residing at good numbers, and that your overall health is good or poor. If you need to make any improvements in your life, your doctor will be the first one to tell you. They will be able to give you advice for your health and you can bring up any type of concern you might have about how you are feeling or what you can do to prevent diseases.

Maintaining good health is vital for those who want to make the most of their twilight years. By regularly undergoing these annual checkups, you can stay on top of your health. Make a list of the most important checkups you should be getting annually so you can remember to make those appointments. Become familiar with your doctors and dentist and make checkups part of your routine.