Commentary by Jennifer Mardos, DO, IU Health Physicians Primary Care – Anson
While every person has unique health needs, patients often ask similar questions when visiting their primary care doctor. My patients often want to know how they can maintain their health and prevent disease. Diet and exercise are also common topics during routine primary care appointments. Here are my answers to some frequently asked questions:
How often should I see you?
I recommend that healthy adults see a primary care doctor for a physical and well exam at least once a year. Patients with chronic health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease, will see their physician more often.
What vaccines do I need?
Adults and children should receive a yearly flu vaccine, unless there is a reason this isn’t advised. A tetanus booster is recommended every 10 years. Older adults should talk with their doctor about a shingles vaccination when they reach age 60 and a pneumococcal vaccine to prevent pneumonia at age 65.
When should I get my first colonoscopy?
Unless there’s a family history of colorectal cancer, adults should undergo their first colonoscopy at age 50. This preventive screening can usually be done every eight to 10 years if the results are normal. When patients ask about a preventive exam, I usually discuss others that may apply, including mammograms for women and prostate cancer screenings for men.
How should I begin an exercise program?
For patients new to exercise, I generally recommend 10-20 minutes of walking daily, gradually working up to 30-45 minutes three to five times a week. Healthy adults should aim for 10,000 steps per day for overall cardiovascular health. To stay physically fit, adults should combine cardiovascular exercise with some form of strength training. Patients with health concerns or chronic conditions should talk with their doctor before beginning an exercise program.
Jennifer Mardos, DO, specializes in family medicine and is a guest columnist located at IU Health Physicians Primary Care – Anson, in Zionsville. She can be reached by calling the office at 317.768.6000. For more health information, subscribe to Strength In You at iuhealth.org/StrengthInYou.
