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                      Five Reasons to Make That Well Visit Appointment

                      2/26/2021

                      NATCHEZ, Miss. – February 26, 2021—– If you’ve put off seeing your doctor for fear of catching or spreading the COVID-19 virus, Dr. Barbara Smith and Charla Knapp, FNP-BC, providers at Merit Health Medical Group Primary Care, want you to know it’s safe and important to come in.

                      Precautions for your safety include social distancing in our waiting areas, masking of all patients and providers, screening of all clinic patients and visitors, and enhanced cleaning of commonly touched surfaces.

                      “This has certainly been a challenging year, and the winter storm last week also contributed to delays in care,” said Dr. Barbara Smith. “It is so important for patients to reschedule any healthcare appointments they missed. We want to help patients stay on track with their regular health check-ups, especially those who are dealing with chronic health conditions,” concluded Dr. Smith.

                      “Easy access to care is important to us,” said Charla Knapp, FNP-BC. “For those patients who would prefer a teleheath visit, we are happy to offer this service to you. Many appointments can be managed well through virtual interaction, such as visits for minor illnesses such as colds and allergies, follow-up care, and medication management,” concluded Charla.

                      Here are five reasons to make an appointment for your next well-visit or check-up without delay.

                      1. Check on your general health. The clinic has a record of your health metrics over time, including cholesterol, blood sugar, weight and others. If any numbers are trending in the wrong direction, your doctor can help you make a plan to get back on track with lifestyle changes, diet or medical treatment.
                      2. Manage chronic conditions. Ongoing medical concerns, whether diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or others require regular monitoring by a provider to keep them from progressing to life-threatening levels. Regular checkups can help you avoid a medical crisis.
                      3. Identify issues early with routine screenings. The practice keeps records of your screening exams to help you remember when it’s time to get your colonoscopy, mammogram, bone density test, prostate exam and other screenings. Early identification of many illnesses can give you the most options for treatment and better outcomes.
                      4. Stay current on vaccinations for your protection. While you’re hearing plenty of news about the COVID-19 vaccine, there are a number of other vaccinations to prevent disease as your immune system weakens over time. Flu shots annually. Tetanus shots every ten years. Vaccines for shingles and pneumonia and more. The practice will remind you when it’s time to get your immunizations.
                      5. Keep prescriptions updated. Bring a full list of your medications, including any over-the-counter, so your physician has a complete picture of what you’re taking. An annual review can identify possible side effects or medication conflicts.

                      Of course, the best reason of all is peace of mind about your health. Merit Health Medical Group Primary Care Clinic is conveniently located in The Doctors’ Pavilion, next door to Merit Health Natchez. Appointments can be scheduled online at mymeritdoctor.com or by calling (601) 445-1715.

                      Sources: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-your-annual-check-up-is-still-important-to-your-health
                      https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/index.html

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