Skip to main content

What Can I Expect During My Wellness Exam?

Your good health, in many ways, is up to you. And one important tool for staying healthy is an annual wellness exam. Here’s why.

Approximately 60% of adults in the United States suffer from a chronic disease like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, and four out of ten have two or more severe conditions. 

With numbers like that, it’s important to take control of your health. You can start by eating nutritious foods, exercising, getting enough sleep nightly, and quitting smoking.

But you can take it a step further by getting an annual wellness exam with Monique Petteys, a family nurse practitioner at The Women's Center at Life Point Medical in Clayton, Georgia. 

This simple and important exam can help us spot warning signs or diagnose a problem early so we can treat it successfully. If you’ve never had a wellness exam, here’s what to expect.

Being proactive is good practice

Do you only go to a health care professional when you’re sick? If so, you’re not alone.

People have lots of excuses for skipping wellness exams. They’re too busy or think that annual wellness exams are a waste of time. But many preventable illnesses and conditions start small and don’t show symptoms right away, like heart disease. 

Annual wellness exams help your provider keep track of vital health stats. For example, if your blood pressure or cholesterol levels are high, an annual exam can reveal these conditions, and you can start bringing those numbers down. 

The same goes for monitoring your weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing many chronic conditions, like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. By working with your health professional to lose weight, you’ll improve your short-term and future health.

What happens at a wellness exam?

If you have a family history of chronic or serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or strokes, an annual wellness exam can help you manage your risk factors. 

Here’s what you can expect at your annual wellness exam:

Make an investment in your health 

Going to your annual wellness exam is making an investment in your future that guarantees returns. 

Even if you haven’t been to a health professional in many years or are in good health, a checkup can detect early warning signs so you can take action now. 

Don’t put your health at risk any longer. You can schedule a wellness exam at The Women's Center at Life Point Medical by calling 706-250-7306 or by using our online scheduling tool.

You Might Also Enjoy...

How Menopause Affects Your Mental Health

How Menopause Affects Your Mental Health

When you’re in menopause or in the years approaching it, you may notice changes in the way you look and feel. In addition to well-known physical symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, you might also suffer mentally. Here’s why.
6 Reasons to Schedule Your Next Mammogram ASAP

6 Reasons to Schedule Your Next Mammogram ASAP

Scheduling a mammogram may not be the most exciting thing on your to-do list, but it could be one of the most crucial. Putting off this essential screening could mean overlooking the early signs of breast cancer.
5 Benefits of Routine Pap Smears

5 Benefits of Routine Pap Smears

Like shopping for a swimsuit, you may dread your routine Pap smear. But this quick and painless screening test can save your life. Click here to learn more about the benefits of Pap tests.
 5 Risk Factors for Ovarian Cysts

5 Risk Factors for Ovarian Cysts

While ovarian cysts are relatively common, some circumstances can make you more likely to have them. Find out how ovarian cysts occur and whether you have a heightened risk for developing them.