Going to the doctor is often associated with feeling unwell or addressing specific health concerns. However, scheduling routine visits with your primary care provider, even when you’re feeling excellent, can offer various long-term benefits. Think of your primary care provider as a partner in maintaining your overall health.
Regular physical exams serve as wellness checks, allowing you to connect with your doctor, discuss any health issues, and explore preventive measures for the future. As such, in this article, the expert team of internal medicine at Carreras Medical Center
Addressing Your Health Questions and Concerns
Your annual physical is the perfect occasion to raise any lingering health questions or concerns that don’t warrant separate appointments. It’s a chance to discuss things that have been on your mind, whether they’re persistent health issues or topics you’ve come across in your reading and would like your doctor’s opinion on.
The Role of Your Primary Care Provider
Your primary care provider could be a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, all trained to identify and manage various health issues, including chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease. These conditions are among the most significant health threats globally and often develop without apparent symptoms.
Regardless of your age and current health status, it’s essential to establish a relationship with a primary care provider. This ensures that someone familiar with your history is available when health issues arise. Even if you’re young and healthy, building a rapport with a provider is vital for future healthcare needs.
Frequency of Routine Physicals
The frequency of routine physical exams can vary depending on factors such as your age, individual health history, risks, and specific needs. There’s no one-size-fits-all rule for how often you should see your primary care provider when you’re in good health. The optimal schedule is something you and your provider can determine together.
For individuals in their 20s and 30s who are healthy, visiting a provider every two years may suffice. Beyond that age bracket, making these checkups an annual habit is recommended. Getting a yearly physical is especially crucial for individuals aged 40 and older.
What Happens At a Physical?
Your annual checkup typically consists of two main components: discussing your recent health history, changes, or concerns, and a physical examination.
Health History Review
Use this opportunity to inform your provider about any changes in your family health history or concerns. It’s also a good time to mention changes in your menstrual cycle, if applicable, or to discuss your exercise routine, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption.
Physical Exam
During the physical exam, your provider will assess various aspects of your health through observation and examination. This includes:
- Pulse measurement.
- Listening to your heart and lungs.
- Examination of your mouth and ears.
- Checking your lymph nodes.
- Skin examination.
- Inspecting for swelling in your extremities.
- Conducting a breast exam.
- Your provider might conduct additional checks based on your age and medical history. The examination is tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Depending on your specific circumstances, you can expect some of the following additional steps:
- Measurement of height and weight to calculate your body mass index (BMI).
- Vital sign measurements, including blood pressure and pulse.
- A review of each organ system.
- An internal exam or sexual health screening.
- Blood tests to assess cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Questions Your Provider May Ask
Your annual physical appointment provides an opportunity to establish open communication with your provider. They may ask questions designed to make you feel comfortable sharing information. These questions can cover:
Substance use and abuse, where honesty is crucial, as providers are not there to judge but to help.
Family history to identify any genetic predispositions to medical conditions.
General life updates, including questions about your work and family.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Your annual physical doesn’t have to be intimidating. While your healthcare provider will guide the process, there are several simple steps you can take to prepare:
- Write down any questions or concerns you want to discuss during the appointment to ensure you don’t forget anything.
- If you have other health-related screenings or tests pending, such as bloodwork or mammograms, consider having them done before your physical and bring the results with you.
- Maintain an up-to-date record of your medical history, noting any new diagnoses, surgeries, or health-related information.
- Provide a list of all your medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and vitamins.
Your provider may offer guidance on healthy living based on your health concerns. The after-visit summary, usually available in print and online, will recap the appointment, including your health goals, tips related to your concerns, newly prescribed medications, recommended vaccines, labs, referrals, and when to schedule your next appointment. The physical exam enables the detection of potential future health issues, allowing you to prepare and address them in advance.
The Basics of an Annual Physical Exam
A physical exam is a fundamental part of any doctor’s visit, even though the extent of the examination can vary. A good doctor will listen to your concerns and provide guidance, addressing specific complaints and risk factors.
During an annual checkup, your provider typically examines the following:
- History: This is the time to discuss your recent health history, lifestyle behaviors, family medical history, and vaccination status.
- Vital Signs: Vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature, are measured.
- General Appearance: Your provider observes your general appearance, memory, and mental acuity. They check your skin, overall health, and your ability to stand and walk.
- Heart Exam: Listening to your heart helps detect irregular heartbeats, heart murmurs, or signs of heart disease.
- Lung Evaluation: Employing a stethoscope, the healthcare provider listens for signs of respiratory issues, such as wheezing or unusual breath sounds.
- Head and Neck Assessment: This entails a thorough examination of your throat, tonsils, lymph nodes, thyroid, and carotid arteries. The doctor also evaluates your ears, nose, sinuses, eyes, and related areas.
- Abdomen Examination: Various examination methods are applied to scrutinize your abdominal region, aiming to identify tenderness, assess liver size, and check for the presence of abdominal fluid. Your provider listens for bowel sounds and uses palpation to detect tenderness.
- Neurological Assessment: This part of the examination involves an evaluation of your nerves, muscle strength, reflexes, balance, and mental state.
- Dermatological Evaluation: Examining your skin and nails helps provide insights into dermatological conditions and potential systemic health issues.
- Extremities Exam: Joints are examined for abnormalities, and pulses are checked in your arms and legs.
Specific to Gender:
Male Physical Exam: For men, an annual doctor’s visitl may include:
- Testicular exam: Checking each testicle for lumps, tenderness, or size changes.
- Hernia exam: A check for abdominal wall weakness.
- Penis exam: Assessing for evidence of sexually transmitted infections.
- Prostate exam: The provider may assess the prostate’s size and any suspicious areas.
Female Physical Exam: For women, the annual exam might include:
- Breast exam: Looking for abnormal lumps, changes in size, and breast conditions.
- Pelvic exam: Examining the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries. Recommendations for cervical cancer screening may be provided, along with a Pap test and HPV screening.
- Laboratory Tests:
Specific laboratory tests may be ordered during an annual physical, depending on your age and health status. Some common tests include:
- Complete blood count (CBC).
- Blood chemistry panel.
- Urinalysis (UA).
- Lipid panel (cholesterol test) is recommended every 4 to 6 years, with more frequent checks if you have heart disease risk factors.
- Blood sugar screening, especially if you are overweight or at risk of diabetes.
- Hepatitis C screening is recommended for all adults over 18 at some point.
The Emphasis on Preventive Care
Annual physical exams provide a crucial opportunity to prioritize prevention and screening. Here are some specific screenings that may be recommended:
- Starting at age 45, regular screening for colorectal cancer.
- For some women, mammogram screening for breast cancer is around age 40.
- Blood cholesterol and blood sugar level checks.
- Colonoscopy for colorectal health.
- Behavioral health condition assessments.
It’s important to note that the physical exam is not the sole focus of these checkups. Preventive health is best achieved through a combination of:
- Engaging in 30 minutes of brisk exercise most days of the week.
- Maintaining a mostly plant-based diet with limited animal fats.
- Refraining from smoking.
Do You Need an Annual Physical Exam?
While annual physical exams have traditionally been considered essential, studies have suggested that the exam’s practical benefits are limited and may lead to unnecessary testing. Some leading medical professionals and groups even labeled the annual physical exam as “unnecessary” for generally healthy individuals.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and not smoking, can significantly impact overall health and may eliminate the need for annual exams. However, maintaining a consistent relationship with your healthcare provider and focusing on prevention is still highly valuable.
To ensure the best possible health in the long term, it’s advisable to schedule routine checkups with your provider. Think of it like your annual birthday celebration – a regular check-in on your health, a proactive step towards maintaining your well-being, and ensuring a healthier future.
Choose Health
Regular checkups are essential for maintaining your long-term health. Scheduling routine visits with your primary care provider, even when you’re feeling well, is crucial. These appointments allow you to discuss concerns, address potential health issues, and focus on preventive measures for the future. While the frequency of these visits varies, building a relationship with your provider ensures someone familiar with your history is available when health concerns arise. To make the most of your annual physical, prepare by listing questions, taking care of pending screenings, and staying informed about your medical history and medications. These appointments emphasize prevention and overall well-being, serving as a proactive step toward a healthier future. While studies have raised questions about the necessity of annual physical exams, a good relationship with your healthcare provider and a focus on prevention remains essential.
If You Want To Hear More
Regular checkups ensure that you maintain an active role in your health and contribute to better health outcomes. That said, if you’ve considered attending your yearly checkup, you can schedule an appointment with us today.
