Why Young Adults Need a Primary Care Provider

Why You Need a Primary Care Doctor in Your 20s and 30s

If you’re a young adult in your 20s or early 30s, it’s likely your health care program consists of just a regular workout routine and a general focus on wellness. You may have a gym membership or swear by a few key supplements. But that’s not enough. Regular annual visits to a primary care provider should also be part of your health care plan.

A common misconception is that people in their 20s and 30s don’t need a primary care provider (PCP) unless they have an existing chronic condition. The truth is that a PCP offers a wealth of guidance, from life-stage care to prevention and early detection of illnesses.

Your 20s and 30s Set the Foundation for a Lifetime of Health

Young adulthood is when long-term health patterns start. By identifying those patterns as early as possible, you can help prevent the future 45-year-old you from having to deal with chronic conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

It’s important to pay attention to your health early on because of certain key factors that may enter your life at this time and can impact you forever, including:

• Stress load increases
• Metabolic changes begin
• Sleep patterns shift
• Early disease indicators can be spotted

Engaging in primary care services with a primary care provider, you can get a better sense of the potential health care challenges you may face later on.

Common Conditions That Appear in Your 20s and 30s

One reason you need a PCP in your 20s and 30s is that many chronic health conditions start during these decades.

These include the following conditions:

• Digestive issues like undiagnosed celiac disease and inflammatory bowel conditions
• High cholesterol or other signs of heart disease could begin and cause silent damage that you’ll notice later on in life
• High blood pressure, which even active young adults can experience
• Prediabetes markers, like mild insulin resistance, can appear this early
• Mental health conditions like depression and bipolar disorder could begin affecting you in your young adulthood
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) could impact your overall health if they’re not addressed
• Thyroid disorders

Annual wellness visits in your 20s and 30s can help you spot these issues and address them before they start impacting your health.

A PCP Is More Than a “Sick Visit” Provider

What is a primary care provider (PCP)? They are medical professionals who do much more than just treat you when you’re sick. A PCP is your partner in wellness.

1. They Track Your Health Over Time

   Primary care physicians perform checkups and annual wellness exams to establish a baseline of health. They will perform lab work, including blood tests and yearly vitals, to detect early signs of health concerns, such as high blood sugar or cholesterol.

2. They Know Your History

   Most primary care providers in Florida treat patients of all ages, so it’s likely that once you establish care with a PCP, they can provide you with care for the rest of your life. By knowing your medical history, they can offer more personalized assistance than you would receive from an urgent care provider, improving continuity of care.

   Continuity of care makes it easier for your provider to notice even minor health changes. It ensures you receive treatment for any issues that arise, whether you need to start a new medication or have family-planning questions.

3. They Advocate for You

   No matter your health care needs, your PCP is your advocate. They can provide referrals for options like obstetric services, internal medicine and endocrinology specialists, which is essential when you know that PCP versus specialist care is highly diverse.

   They provide preventive care through screenings and offer long-term care strategies for any conditions you have.

4. They Help You Make Informed Wellness Decisions

   A primary health care provider can assist you in making informed decisions regarding your health, from what supplements may benefit you to what fitness goals you should have. They provide nutrition guidance, help for sleep issues and assistance with over-exercise and burnout.

Prevention Works Best Before Problems Start

Routine checkups can quickly identify if you’re struggling with, or might struggle with, certain medical conditions in the future.

Many issues, like high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, don’t cause symptoms for years. By getting annual exams and regular checkups, you can depend on your PCP to spot these warning signs before they lead to serious health complications. Treating these types of chronic health conditions is much easier at the earliest stages than later on.

Health Screenings Aren’t Just for Older Adults

Adolescents and young adults often think that health screenings aren’t for them. Getting these annual exams, whether you have risk factors for certain diseases or not, is an important part of receiving quality care. In many instances, screenings are even more helpful when you’re younger because they create a baseline your PCP can use to measure changes.

Several screenings could be helpful to young adults, including:

• Blood pressure tests
• Blood sugar tests
• Cholesterol assessments
• Mental health tests
• Pap tests and HIV screenings
• Sexual health assessments
• Skin cancer risks
• Vaccination updates

Take a closer look at why these screenings are vital:

By relying on board-certified primary care providers, you’ll get the answers you need, no matter your age. Learn more about the recommended health tests you may need.

Your Future Self Will Thank You

When you visit your PCP, you’re helping your future self. You can prevent serious health issues that could impact your quality of life for years to come. This is a step you should take even if you’re in your 20s or 30s. How often you should see your PCP depends on numerous factors, but doing so at least once a year is essential.

If you’re not sure how to find a PCP, our team at AdventHealth Primary Care+ can help. We offer the reliable and comprehensive health care services you need to live your best life. Schedule an appointment with our team to begin today.