When was the last physical? Yearly check-ups and regular yearly physicals are some of the most effective and best tools to continue long-term health and to detect issues before one even realizes he or she may have it.
You may be wondering what this annual physical examination entails and why it is either special or different to any other health test; well, this is a guide to patients of what to expect during annual physical examination and what it entails.
Why Annual Physical Exams Matter
A physical examination that you undergo once a year with the physician cannot be considered an episode of fast-paced doctor visit, but it is your chance of ensuring that you have all year round health cover. This test is performed to detect such silent diseases like elevated blood pressure or diabetes at the initial stages. It is also a good time to review health history and medication. Your doctor will be in a position to advise on healthy habits and immunizations that you will need. Annual physical therapy also ensures that you build a rapport with your health practitioner where he has a clear method of tracking your changes even after a year.
What to Expect During Your Annual Physical Exam
The majority of patients feel nervous because they do not know what is to happen. Factually, a once-a-year passport is easy and it will be there to make sure you are comfortable.
This is what goes on more often than not:
1. Investigation of YOUR HEALTH HISTORY
A doctor or nurse will ask your health background, the health history of your close ones, as well as whether you have any new symptoms or not. They will as well know whether you need some vaccines or updates.
2. Testing of Vital Signs
Your provider will as well measure your weight, length, blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature, and at times oxygen levels.
3. Physical Exam
The doctor will feel your heart with his or her stethoscope, and listen to your lungs, check your ears, eyes, nose and throat, feel the abdomen, and test the reflexes. They will also do so in case you might have any special concerns.
4. Suggestion of Laboratory Tests
Cholesterol, blood sugar, a check on thyroid or other important factors can be ordered and carried out with the help of blood. The tests which are obligatory are dependent on your age, sex and risk factors.
5. Health Counseling
When you are on your way out, your provider will discuss your results with you, make recommendations regarding healthy practices, and respond to any concerns. They also have the potential to help you put up additional screens when need be.
Are you ready to reserve yours? Among the most competent doctors that can conduct a yearly physical exam, there is Avant Medical Group. Save your next visit to Avant Medical Group now!
Annual Physicals vs. Health Screenings: What’s the Difference?
You will hear some saying that they have done blood work and they need no physical since they went and did it. Nevertheless, physical checkups and health screening are not identical, annual ones, and they are complementary to each other.
What is Medical screening?
Health screening is a definite test or exam which is used to screen something. For example:
- Mammograms are used to screen breast cancer.
- Colonoscopies is a test to cancer of the colon.
- Pap smears are positive for cervical cancer.
- The cholesterol tests are an indication of heart diseases.
- Such diabetic diseases are detected on the basis of blood sugar tests.
The annual physical can consist of screenings as well and this should also be the offering of the doctors themselves, separate to the annual physical. Explore more by reading our latest blogs.
How They Work Together
View your yearly physical as a road map to your health, and view health screenings as something that can zoom in when it is needed. Your doctor recommends screenings based on risk, family history, or age whenever you go to see him or her. They give the interpretation of every test and help you as to what to do next. It is also good to have both the screens and the exams so that you are sure that you are not falling off and problems are identified early before it is too late. They blend and establish a platform of being healthy.
Benefits of Keeping Up with Both
By ensuring that you follow through with your annual check-up, and screening:
- Prevention of issues in their early stages: This is because most of the harmful diseases are easier to cure when they are diagnosed at an early stage.
- Become money-wise: Preventive care will not cost lots of money spent on emergencies at a later date.
- Rest your mind: To have the precise knowledge about your specific position in regards to your health is extremely comfortable as the speculations and insecurities are eliminated.
Regardless of whether you are all fit or have an ongoing illness, having the two both in your calendar is going to help you.
Tips to Prepare for Your Annual Physical Exam
Have something to make the most out of your visit? This is what some of the clues are:
- Take a list of all foods to be taken and de luxe supplements.
- History of various complaints or illnesses.
- You should be aware of the health background of your family members because there are diseases that are genetic.
- When they come to inquire about your lifestyle, do not fail to answer their questions by lying that you are a smoker, drinker, or stressed.
- Write down questions that you will not forget to raise.
Conclusion
Physical checkups and regular checkups are part and parcel of a healthy living. They are capable of helping you to see difficulties early enough, keep track of your body as well as working together with your provider to make good decisions with reference to the future.
You do not have to wait until symptoms are manifested; consider preventive care to be a priority this year.
Book an appointment to receive an annual physical examination with Avant Medical Group and take full control this way over your health yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: The coverage will vary by insurance provider, but most insurance providers do cover annual physicals and many preventative screenings. As always, be sure to call your provider first and check to see if your exam or screenings will be covered.
Answer: Your exam should take about 30-60 minutes on average depending on if you have any lab work or screenings that you will be having done at that time.
Answer: Absolutely! Several health issues do not have symptoms, especially in the beginning stages of the issue. Having an annual physical exam helps capture those issues before they worsen.
Answer: Definitely! In a physical exam, your doctor will give vaccines and update your flu shots, tetanus boosters, or other immunizations, if they are due.
Answer: Go to Avant Medical Group to schedule your annual physical with trustworthy and empathetic providers.