A physical once a year is crucial to maintaining good health. It would help if you had checkups once a year. Some people look forward to their yearly physicals as a chance to obtain a clean bill of health for the next year, while others dread them. When you go into a routine physical checkup with some idea of what to anticipate, you can relax and focus on becoming well. If you are considering Greensboro family & primary care, here is what you should expect from your yearly checkup.
There will be a lot of inquiries from the doctor
The first step in any physical examination is for the doctor to ask questions about your health, lifestyle, and vaccinations. Now is also the moment to voice any health-related grievances you may have.
Vital signs
A doctor or nurse will measure your height, weight, blood pressure, and pulse and may do so many more times to be sure. Those with a history of irregular blood pressure may have their readings double-checked, even if the nurse has previously taken them.
Physical Examination
Your doctor will complete a physical examination after finishing the first visual inspection. Due to individual differences, no two patients’ physical examinations will be the same. But here are some examples of the kinds of tests you should expect:
- Heart examination
The physician will listen to your heart with a stethoscope to detect abnormalities, such as a heart murmur or an erratic heartbeat.
- Lung examination
The physician will use a stethoscope to listen for wheezing, muffled breathing, or other signs of heart or lung illness.
- Examination of the extremities
The physician may physically examine your joints and search for any abnormalities in the sensation or movement of your hands and arms.
Screening examination
Depending on the findings of your regular checkups, your doctor may decide to do further screenings. There may be gender-based differences in the information gleaned from these exams.
Men
- Testicular Exam. The doctor will check for any lumps or size irregularities that might indicate testicular cancer.
- Test of the Prostate. Regular prostate cancer screenings are recommended for men over the age of 50. However, if there is a history of illness in the family, it might begin sooner.
- Testing for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. Adult males with a smoking history between the ages of 65 and 75 should take this test once.
- Cholesterol Analysis. Men should begin routinely monitoring their cholesterol levels at age 35. Men should have their cholesterol examined as early as age 20 if they have a family history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Women
- A Checkup of the Breasts. Physical examination of the breasts is the best way to discover cancerous or benign tumors in the breasts. Underarm nodes and nipples will be inspected for visual abnormalities as well.
- Mammogram. Women between 50 and 75 with a low or moderate risk of developing breast cancer should have a mammogram every two years.
- Check Your Cholesterol. After 45, most females should begin getting their cholesterol checked routinely.
- Pelvic examination. This vulvar, vaginal, and cervical femoral exam detects STDs and other disorders. You can have a pap smear as part of a pelvic exam, but it is not required.
Although yearly checkups are the norm, those with preexisting diseases or those at high risk should regularly see their doctors. Your doctor may want to see you again after your yearly physical if they find anything of note or if you have any abnormal test findings.
