5 Types of Doctors Every Adult Needs To See

Being a grown-up is hard. You’ve got to practice independent living skills like cooking, cleaning, and calendar-keeping. Your parents can’t be in charge of all your appointments anymore. It’s time to go it alone. Here are five types of doctors every adult needs to see; do your own research and make your own phone calls! This is a helpful list to guide you as you begin to fill your calendar.

Primary Care Physician

Everyone needs a go-to doctor for annual visits and general checkups. They are often called internists (internal medicine specialists) or family medicine doctors. This is the person you see once a year for your annual exam. If you have specific health woes like back pain or seasonal allergies, your primary care doctor can refer you to a specialist.

Optometrist or Ophthalmologist

Even if you don’t need glasses or contacts right now, your needs may change as you age. Visit an eye doctor once a year. The difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist is that the latter can perform surgery, if you require it. And if you ever end up needing glasses or contacts, make sure to wear them!

Dentist

Schedule tooth cleanings twice a year and make sure to keep your teeth in tip-top shape in between visits. Dental problems, when left untreated, can be very painful and expensive to fix. Take preventative measures by brushing your teeth every day and staying on top of dental appointments. If you have any loose teeth or toothaches, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away to prevent the issue from getting worse. Keeping regular appointments now will prevent hefty dental bills later.

Gynecologist or Urologist

Starting in your teens, you should make annual visits to a doctor who specializes in your more sensitive areas. Make sure you feel entirely comfortable with your doc by conducting an informal interview during your first visit. Once you’ve found a gynecologist or urologist you trust, visit them once a year. If you have personal health concerns or complaints, make an appointment as soon as you can. There’s no need to feel embarrassed; this is your health we’re talking about!

Dermatologist

A doctor who specializes in skin conditions can help you combat pesky, persistent acne by prescribing antibiotics. They can also treat maladies like eczema and psoriasis. Plus, they can literally save your life! If you have any moles or birthmarks that have suddenly changed shape, a dermatologist can screen you for skin cancer and potentially remove any melanomas. Visit these folks once a year, or more often as needed.

Adulthood carries a host of responsibilities, and chief among them is your healthcare. When you’re the one choosing the doctors and making the appointments, you have more power over your own well-being. With this handy list of the five types of doctors every adult needs to see, you’ll be ready to organize that calendar!

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