I have always been in pretty good health, so I was surprised one day when my doctor told me my blood pressure was a bit high. She told me to begin watching my salt intake, start exercising, and to try to relax. Well, I intended to follow her advice when I left her office, but the next day I was back to my same habits. I kept using the salt shaker and didn't begin an exercise routine like I had planned. When I went for my next check-up, she told me that my blood pressure was even higher and approaching a dangerous level. I had to begin a blood pressure medication to manage it. I wanted to create a blog to share my story and remind people to listen to their doctors' advice. If a few lifestyle changes can improve your health, then you should make them.
When you visit your family doctor for your regular checkup, they'll go through a lengthy list of steps to assess your overall health. One thing that your doctor will often do is assess your skin to ensure that everything looks healthy. A skin assessment doesn't take long and isn't uncomfortable at all. The doctor will often ask you various health-related questions as they carefully scan your skin and note anything relevant. If you have any skin-related concerns, this is a good time to bring them up to the doctor. Here are some things that your doctor will check during the skin assessment.
Moles
One of the things that your doctor will do as they assess your skin is take note of the appearance of your moles. Moles can change in appearance over time, which can sometimes be a concern. Doctors will often make notes in your patient file about the appearance of certain moles, which will remind them to check these moles during your next visit. If a particular mole has changed color or shape since your last visit, you can expect that your doctor will notice the change. Depending on what they see, they may refer you to a specialist for a procedure to remove the mole in question.
Skin Cancer
Even though the risk that you have skin cancer is small, your doctor will look at your skin to ensure that no signs of skin cancer are present. Many skin cancers are highly treatable, especially if a medical professional catches them quickly. Your risk of skin cancer can be higher if you spend a lot of time in the sun, whether it's for your job or for a pastime. If your doctor happens to see a blemish that may be cancerous, they'll likely send you for a biopsy that will reveal whether the mark is cancer or not.
Dehydration
Your doctor will be able to tell whether you're properly hydrated or whether you're slightly dehydrated by looking at your skin and touching it. If they feel that you might be a little dehydrated, they might ask how much water you drink in a day. Being chronically dehydrated can lead to all sorts of health issues, so if your doctor is seeing signs of dehydration while assessing your skin, they'll likely talk to you about some simple ways that you can improve your hydration. Contact your family doctor to set up your next check-up appointment.
Share28 June 2022
