When you think about a check-up, you probably imagine blood pressure cuffs and cholesterol tests. While those are vital for your heart, they don’t tell the whole story of your health.
At Maryland Medical First P.A. in Parkville, Maryland, we believe that true wellness means looking at you as a whole person.
Your social connections, moods, and cognitive health are just as important as your physical stats. In fact, these “invisible” factors influence how long you live and how well you feel each day. That’s why our team, led by Dr. Narender Bharaj, integrates comprehensive screenings into every annual physical.
Screening for behavioral and social risks allows us to catch early warning signs long before they require an emergency room visit. It’s much easier to course-correct a habit or a mood early on than it is to treat a fully developed condition.
For example, the 2023 United States Surgeon General’s advisory reported that lacking social connection can affect mortality risk in a way comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. It increases the risk of premature death by 60% because it keeps your body in a constant state of stress.
By identifying these issues during a routine visit, we can help you find the right resources to protect your heart and your mind.
We offer five screenings that give us a better understanding of your overall health, including assessments for social isolation, cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression, and substance use. Here’s how these tools help us keep you healthy.
Staying connected is one of the strongest predictors of long-term well-being. During your visit, Dr. Bharaj may check in on your social health by asking a few simple questions, such as:
Understanding your social connections helps us better support your overall physical and mental health, as strong relationships play a vital role in reducing stress, improving mood, and protecting long-term wellness.
If you have noticed subtle memory changes, occasional confusion, or growing trouble managing daily tasks, Dr. Bharaj may use a brief cognitive assessment to evaluate your brain health. Tools like the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE) help us establish a clear baseline to track your cognitive function over time, identify early signs of memory loss, and guide the appropriate next steps for your care.
It’s common to dismiss lingering worry or physical tension as just normal daily stress. However, screening can help identify underlying anxiety symptoms before they impact your daily life.
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) is a brief, seven-question screening tool used to measure the severity of frequent worry, nervousness, or restlessness. Catching these signs early allows us to provide support before chronic stress affects your physical health, such as raising your blood pressure or weakening your immune system.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends routine depression screening for all adults. A questionnaire called the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) can be useful in helping identify symptoms of depression — such as persistent sadness, low energy, or loss of interest in daily activities — and determine whether further evaluation or care could be helpful.
If your answers indicate significant distress or raise safety concerns, Dr. Bharaj can gently explore those feelings further and ensure you are connected with the right support.
Routine screening tools like the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) help us hold open, nonjudgmental conversations about alcohol or medication use. Catching unhealthy patterns early creates an opportunity for support before they impact your long-term health, which the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has shown can reduce risky behaviors by over 60%.
You don’t have to wait for a physical symptom to arise before you talk to us about how you’re feeling. A change in your memory, persistent stress, or a sense of isolation are all legitimate health concerns. Our team is here to listen and provide a safe, compassionate environment for these discussions.
If a screening indicates a potential behavioral or cognitive condition, you are not alone in figuring out what comes next. As your primary care partner, Dr. Bharaj and our team at Maryland Medical First P.A. can help manage mild to moderate symptoms, such as initial treatment for anxiety or depression, right here in our office. If your needs require more specialized or intensive care, we will connect you with trusted specialists and coordinate your treatment every step of the way.
Preventive care is the best way to protect your physical and emotional well-being for years to come. If you’re due for a check-up, don’t just settle for the basics. Schedule an appointment with our team today to ensure your health is supported from every angle.
