To say that Nigerians pay little attention to health issues is putting it mildly.
Most Nigerians accord little or no priority to their medical upkeep; they could go for years without bothering to find out from medical doctors what their true state of health is. Whenever they fall ill or feel any symptoms of sickness, they usually resort to self-medication or visits to quack medical personnel, relying on their often times misguided prescriptions for medical survival.
Due to this apathetical attitude to medical wellbeing, several Nigerians have died untimely.
Recently, several Nigerians have died in curious circumstances. Mr Ranti Akerele, a former commissioner in Ondo State went to sleep in his house and never woke up the next day. Nigerian pop star and former Big Brother Africa (BBA) housemate Goldie Harvey reportedly complained of mere headache and later died.
Nigerians should pay more attention to their health by inculcating the habit of going for general health check-up to help stay healthy.
How does getting a regular health checkup with your physician affect your health?
Well, for starters, if you get regular physical checkups your doctor may find a problem before it becomes a real issue. Getting your annual checkup lets you know everything is in working order.
If you get the oil changed in your car every 5000 miles and get it tuned up once a year or twice a year, depending on how much you drive, why would you not go to the doctor and get yourself a tune up?
That’s about what it equates to, going to the doctor for an annual checkup is just like taking your car in for a tune up, but the sad thing is most people take their cars in to get “checked up”, but they don’t go get themselves checked out.
Preventive maintenance is the key, going to the doctor and getting a checkup is like preventive maintenance to make sure everything is in working order and stays in working order. This way illnesses can be treated and no harm done if it is caught early.
Why is Health Check-Up So Important?
The rising cost of healthcare combined with busy work schedules means that many people are putting regular checkups on the back burner. But the hard truth of the matter is that regular doctors' visits can mean the difference between life and death.
Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start. They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better.
Below are 2 major reasons why health check – ups are Important:
1. Prevention is better than cure
Regular checkups will provide doctors with a way to spot any health issues early on. Checkups incorporate several tests, including preventative screenings and physical examinations, to check patients' current health and risks. If any problems are found, your doctor will provide information on treatment plans and ways that you can prevent health issues in the future.
While doctors' checks will help spot any issues early on, you can follow a few steps to support a healthy lifestyle and to complete a number of health checks at home. It has been said that women should regularly check their breasts for lumps, while both men and women should study the skin for changes. In addition, you should have a nutritious and balanced diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight range. If you notice anything unusual, schedule a doctor's appointment as soon as possible.
2. Cut healthcare costs
For many, the thought of a large doctor's bill is enough to put off scheduling a checkup. In truth, Checkups could save you plenty of money in the long run as they help to minimize the risk of potential health issues that will lower the risks for surgery or more extensive medical care in the future.
Food for thought!!!
So the question you have to ask yourself is; are you willing to assume you are in good health because you “feel fine”, or do you think it would be wiser to make an appointment, especially if it has been over a year since you’ve been, and go get a checkup? What have you got to lose? A few Naira for the visit? Can you put a price on your health? Or even more so, can you put a price on life?
If you have a family you have even more to consider besides yourself. What about them? How long has it been since your husband or wife has been to the doctor or what about the kids? You may have heard that old saying; “God only gave you two eyes, take care of them”. Well He only gave you one body, take care of it.
