Be Proactive in Planning Your Annual Care

Make your health a priority with these handy annual pointers that will help you proactively map out medical appointments for good health year round.

You can make appointments with Menorah Medical Center and Overland Park Regional Medical Center physicians by visiting menorahmedicalcenter.com or oprmc.com or by calling 913-541-5562. Keep in mind if you have a chronic health condition, you should see specialists as often as recommended.

January-March

 The new year is a perfect time to schedule a general exam with your doctor or your child's pediatrician. During an exam, your provider will help you assess your risk for medical problems, suggest changes, check your blood pressure, update vaccinations and order any needed tests. Several health experts recommend low-risk women ages 40 and older get a yearly screening mammogram. Routine colorectal cancer screening for low-risk individuals usually begins at age 50.

April-June

These months typically present plenty of sneezing and eye-itching, and if you or your children suffer from these and other allergy-related symptoms, this is a great time to see an allergist, who can test for allergies, then recommend medications and, in some cases, immunotherapy - allergy shots that decrease your sensitivity to specific allergens.

Spring also is the perfect time to schedule an eye appointment. If you wear prescription glasses, you'll want a current prescription before ordering sunglasses for the summer. Children should have their first professional eye exam at 6 months, 3 years, before first grade and every two years after that. They recommend adults at low risk of eye and vision problems visit the eye doctor every two years from ages 18-60.

While you're brushing up your eye prescription, it's a good time to think about the dentist, too. One hundred million Americans skip dental visits every year, according to the American Dental Association. Most dentists recommend cleanings every six months or one year and children should start visiting a dentist by their first birthday.

July-September

Spending time in the sun means scheduling a skin check either with a dermatologist or your regular doctor. More than 5 million people are treated for skin cancer yearly; one in five Americans will develop it. Skin cancer experts recommend a monthly self-skin check and a professional skin exam every year. 

Later in the summer, start thinking about school and sports physicals. These exams allow a doctor to evaluate athletes and make recommendations about chronic conditions, such as asthma. Make sure college students receive all recommended vaccinations before heading back to campus. 

October-December

Starting in September, think about scheduling a flu shot for everyone in your family. The flu vaccine helps create antibodies to the different strains of flu - and it changes with each flu season. That's why it's important to be vaccinated every year. The Centers for Disease Control recommends babies as young as 6 months get vaccinated. Even people who previously could not get the flu shot due to egg allergies have options like nasal mist and egg-free vaccines.

December is a great time to reflect on your health during this past year, get recommendations for new healthcare providers if needed and prepare to make appointments again next year.