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Many young people who feel healthy think they don’t need a doctor. They are sometimes affectionately called “young invincibles.” Some cynics tell us to avoid doctors until we know we need them. Unfortunately, these are risky attitudes, and every year some of us find out why. There are actually many good reasons to see a doctor regularly, even when you feel fine. The most important reason is that some serious illnesses require treatment before you feel or recognize them, such as heart disease, thyroid disorders, kidney issues, and cancers such as of the prostate, colon, and breast. If you are truly healthy, a doctor can help identify your individual risk factors and guide you toward prevention. Your risk factors and signs of trouble change as you age.

There are a number of less obvious reasons not to wait. One is that the Affordable Care Act has allowed many people to gain access to health care who didn’t have it before, but the number of physicians has not increased accordingly. Acting sooner will help you establish care with the provider of your choice. Also, most insurance plans, even high-deductible plans, offer a free preventive care visit each year. This is a great opportunity to have a doctor review your health history, examine you, and give you the lab tests necessary to ensure that you are healthy.

It’s also important to establish care with a single provider. You want a physician who will know your history, including the medications you’ve had in the past. Medical records do not always transfer seamlessly among providers. You want your doctor to know what “normal” is for you, to track your treatments and immunizations, give you referrals, and become your advocate with your insurer.

If you should suffer conditions that are difficult to discuss, such as depression or anxiety, you may prefer to see a physician you know. Once you have established a primary care physician, you may have access to same-day appointments that are open only to established patients. New patients may have to wait a days or weeks and then go through the process of developing a full health history.

In short, choosing a provider and establishing a relationship with a primary care physician has many advantages, not only for those with immediate medical problems, but also for those who are young, healthy, and seemingly invincible. And remember that prevention is just as important as treatment, if not more so.

To establish a Primary Care Provider near you, visit IntermountainClinics.org

To read the full article, check out the current edition of Healing for Life Magazine at: HealingforLifeMagazineSLC.org .