8 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Physical Health

Annual checkups are important for maintaining your health, especially as you start to age. Being proactive about your health can keep certain health issues at bay.

To get the best use out of the time you have with your doctor, there are certain questions you’ll want to ask. Here are 8 to consider.

1. Are All of My Medications Still Needed?

Certain lifestyle changes in health changes can impact the medications that you need to maintain your health. For example, let’s say your last visit you were diagnosed with high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Because of this, your doctor prescribed medication to help lower your levels. Instead of relying on medication, you took matters into your own hands to improve your heart health by losing weight and eating a more holistic and heart healthy diet.

In this instance, you may be able to stop taking certain medications. It never hurts to ask your doctor if your health has improved enough to stop taking certain medications. In the long run this can save you money and make taking care of yourself much more convenient.

2. Can I Spend Less on My Medications?

Keeping on the topic of medication, you may also want to ask your doctor about ways to save money on your prescriptions. One of the easiest ways to make your medication less costly is to switch to generic. Generic medications are the same as name-brand options without the high price tag. If your medications aren’t available in generic form, you can also ask about coupons and other money saving options such as discounts on Cialis and other common medications.

Your doctor may also be able to give you sample packs of medications. This can save you money each month by lowering the amount of pills you need to pay for at the pharmacy. There are also options for delivery from pharmacies like Medly, and your doctor would be the perfect person to ask if that’s a service you’re looking for.

3. Am I Due for Vaccines?

While it’s true that we receive most vaccines during our younger years, there are plenty of vaccines that are recommended for adults and seniors. One of the most common vaccines is the flu vaccine which is often given once a year. The Td/Tdap vaccine should be given every 10 years. For people 50 years or older, the Center for Disease and Control recommends the Zoster vaccine which protects against herpes and shingles.