For many people, 40 is a milestone birthday. It marks the start of middle age and big changes to the body often begin around this time as well. It's not just wrinkles that people have to deal with as they age. Diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer become more likely after the age of 40. Before turning 40, many people do not visit their doctor on a regular basis. However, regular visits to a primary care physician are essential the older a person gets. Here are three reasons people over the age of 40 should visit primary care doctors on a regular basis.

It Can Save You Money

Having a primary care doctor can actually save money in the long run. Primary care doctors are able to catch certain conditions before they become more severe and are an essential part of preventative care. Hands-on care from primary care physicians can actually save patients 10 to 15 percent on health care costs. For this reason people over the age of 40 should strongly consider getting a primary care physician.

It Keeps Your Medical History in One Place

Another benefit of having a primary care doctor is that your medical history will be kept in one place. That means that any existing condition is taken into consideration during medical treatment. Having a thorough medical history in place can help doctors best treat their patient's needs. This is especially important after the age of 40 when new health conditions start to develop. It also makes things easier when a patient needs to see another health care provider, such as a specialist. All of their current history and information will be easily and readily available from their primary care doctor's office. 

It Explores Family History and Lifestyle Changes

Another reason why people over the age of 40 should have a primary care doctor is that these physicians keep a record of their patients' family histories. Many diseases and conditions have genetic components. Knowing what health issues have affected relatives is a key part of preventative care. Primary care physicians are best able to look at a patient's family history and suggest lifestyle changes that can help their patients avoid certain health issues. Primary care doctors are also able to recommend certain types of medical testing to their patients depending on family history. 

Primary care is important at any point in a person's life, but it becomes especially important after the age of 40. Certain conditions become more likely after this milestone birthday. Primary care physicians can save money on healthcare costs through preventative care. It's also essential for people over the age of 40 to have their medical history in one place. Family history also plays a major role as people age and primary care doctor's can catch genetic conditions before other medical professionals. To learn more or to find a primary care physician near you, check out http://www.MLPrimaryCare.com.