Annual Physical Exam Information

January 10, 2018

If there is nothing wrong, why I have to visit the doctor?

Having a physical checkup allows you to check in with your doctor, solve any health problems, and discuss future preventative actions.

Why physicals are so important?

Your physical checkup is an excellent opportunity to ask your doctor any questions that have been bothering you. Physical exams allow you to check in on your overall health and can also help you establish a relationship with your primary care physician. And this comes in useful when anything goes wrong.

How often you need a physical?

Even among medical experts, there is disagreement on how frequently you should get a physical checkup. If you’re healthy and in your 20s and 30s, the most of them recommend to go at least every two years or so. However, you should make it an annual routine if possible.

What happens at a physical exam:

The vital signs
A medical practitioner will weigh you, measure you, and assess your blood pressure and pulse, often many times to be sure.

Examine each organ system
Prepare to answer your doctor’s inquiries about your body — and, while the questions may appear random, believe that they are posed with purpose, for example, Do you have any chest aches or feel short of breath? How dark is your urine? Do you have any odd moles?

Complete examination
During your general examination, your doctor will almost certainly:

Take your temperature.
Pay attention to your heart and lungs.
Examine your mouth and ears.
Examine your lymph nodes.
Look at your skin.
Examine your extremities for edema.
Perform a breast exam (if applicable).
They may also do more, depending on the circumstances.

In order to get a complete picture of your health, both now and in the future, your doctor will keep note of everything you say and document it. This implies that everything you talk about at this session can possibly come up at your subsequent one.

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