Better Safe Than Sorry: Why Medical Check-Ups Matter

image source

Have you ever been to the hospital for a medical check-up? I have, but to be honest, I’ve only gone once—and that was because I was experiencing some persistent stomach pain. The pain was becoming quite uncomfortable, and my mum started to suspect it might be an ulcer. At first, i didn't want to visit the hospital, but then you know how mothers can be—she didn’t want to take any chances, especially since ulcers can get really serious if ignored. She advised that I go for a proper check-up, just to be sure of what was actually going on.

So I agreed and then i went to see our family doctor. When I got there and explained my symptoms, he directed me to the laboratory for some tests. I remember sitting in the waiting area, low-key nervous, not knowing what they might find. After a while, the results came out, and to my surprise, it wasn’t ulcer. In fact, there was nothing alarming at all. The doctor just gave me some medications to help ease the pain and discomfort, and after taking them for a few days, I was completely fine.

That experience taught me something important—not every visit to the hospital for a check-up ends with a new health issue being discovered. A lot of people tend to say that when you go for check-ups, doctors or nurses always find “something else” wrong with you, even if that wasn’t the reason you came in. I’ve heard this from several people, and in their minds, it’s a reason to avoid the hospital entirely. But I don’t think it should be seen that way.

Sometimes, what they call “finding another issue” could actually be a blessing in disguise. There are some health problems that could develop silently in the body without showing any clear symptoms until they become serious. So if a medical check-up ends up revealing something you didn’t know was there, isn’t that a good thing? It gives you the chance to take action early, manage the condition, and possibly prevent it from turning into something life-threatening.

A perfect example is my sister. One time, she went to the hospital for something completely unrelated, and during the check-up, they discovered she had an increase in sugar level. It was still at an early stage, but the discovery helped her take control of her health quickly. She had to make lifestyle changes—like reducing her sugar intake and monitoring her diet more carefully. So catching it early really helped her stay on top of things.

Personally, I believe medical check-ups are very important. As the saying goes, “health is wealth.” When you take care of your body, you’re investing in your future. Check-ups help detect problems before they get out of hand. Even if they don’t find anything, it’s reassuring to know that you’re in good shape. And if they do find something, at least you’ve caught it on time.

So, regardless of what others say or believe, I’d rather be safe than sorry. Regular check-ups might feel unnecessary sometimes, especially when you feel perfectly fine—but they can actually save lives.

Posted Using INLEO