Annual Check-Ups for Men

South Central Family Medicine – A South Central Clinic | 1203 Jefferson Street, Laurel, MS 39440

Men schedule appointments to see their doctor for different reasons. Some only go to see a doctor when they have a concern or are experiencing a new problem. Others see their doctor more regularly, such as to follow up with a chronic problem or medication management. Whatever the issue, it is important to maintain an annual exam with your established healthcare provider. J. Kenneth Grafton, MD, and South Central Family Medicine are working to create a culture of wellness with men in our community.

J. Kenneth Grafton, MD Family Medicine South Central Family Medicine

“Just like you take your car in for regular maintenance, you want to do maintenance on the most important thing, which is yourself,” stated Dr. Grafton. “It is important for men to take their healthcare serious, if not for themselves, for their spouse, or for their children and grandchildren.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of the men who die suddenly of a cardiac event had no previous symptoms. Annual checkups can detect silent killers, such as high cholesterol and hypertension. There are many purposes for regular exams, including: primary prevention, identifying risk factors for chronic diseases, detecting disease with no apparent symptoms, building a relationship with primary care provider, and updating clinical information and medication management.

Dr. Grafton explains what he examines during an annual checkup. “It is important to know what a person’s fasting blood sugar or fasting lipid profile is, what their blood pressure is and what their body mass index is. These numbers can carry risks if they are abnormal.  The tests should be specific for a patient’s medical priorities, their age, their sex and other risk factors. For instance, a high-level recommendation would be for any man who has ever smoked to be screened for an abdominal aortic aneurysm.”

As a spouse or caretaker, there are steps you can take to encourage annual exams.

“The main thing is to encourage your loved one to take control of their health,” said Dr. Grafton “By ensuring they are doing things that are healthy, there is less of a risk of preventable illnesses.  All men need encouragement, so I suggest we encourage them to do it, if not for themselves, for their spouse or for their children and grandchildren you want to make sure that they will stay healthy and be able to enjoy their family relationships and life in general.”

Dr. Grafton and the healthcare team at South Central Family Medicine is pleased to provide personalized healthcare. South Central Family Medicine specializes in the treatment of chronic care conditions including diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), GERD, hypertension and thyroid related issues. Chronic Care Management is available for traditional Medicare beneficiaries at South Central Family Medicine.

South Central Family Medicine is accepting new patients. Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurance plans are accepted. To schedule an annual checkup with Dr. Grafton, call 601-651-4279. South Central Family Medicine is located across from South Central Regional Medical Center, inside South Central Clinics, at 1203 Jefferson Street in Laurel.