Regular checkups are an important part of preventative health care. They allow doctors to monitor a person's health over time, detect potential issues early, and provide screenings and vaccinations to catch illnesses before symptoms appear. A comprehensive checkup includes medical history, vital signs, physical exam, lab tests, and screenings tailored to a person's age, sex and risk factors. Maintaining overall health also requires a healthy lifestyle with nutritious diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, managing stress, avoiding smoking and excessive drinking.