Why would your doctor ask you to schedule an appointment if nothing is wrong with your health? While seeing a doctor when you are not sick may sound odd, you need to do so. Going for an annual physical Fullerton ensures your health is progressing well, and your doctor can catch signs of diseases as soon as they begin. Usually, an annual physical discovers your health and its changes and gives you a chance to raise concerns about your health. Meanwhile, read the following article to learn about necessary facts on annual physicals.
How Can You Prepare for Your Annual Physical?
You must take a few steps to prepare for your annual physicals to get the most out of that visit. First, you can write down questions you would like to ask your doctor during the appointment if you think you will easily forget. Next, you will catalog your new diagnoses, any new health information, and vaccinations. Also, carry information about your current prescriptions, including OTC medications.
What Will Happen During Your Annual Physical?
Your doctor will customize a unique appointment plan for you and adjust it depending on your needs. Your doctor will also explain what each exam will do and what you should expect from your annual physical. Here is what your doctor can check during your annual physical.
Vital Signs
Your vital signs include your blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature, and use them to determine if there is any abnormality that may indicate a medical condition. Your doctor may check your blood pressure and pulse more than once to be sure. Your vital signs should have a normal reading if you are healthy. Therefore, any too-high or too-low readings may indicate a disease.
Physical Exams
Your doctor will also do a full physical exam, including taking your pulse, listening to your lungs and heart, checking your mouth and ears, examining your skin, and checking for any swelling. Your doctor may ask you to open your mouth so they can examine your throat, teeth, and oral health. Abdominal exams may also be necessary to detect your liver size, palpate for tenderness, and listen for bowel sounds. Physical exams may also vary depending on your gender. Female physical exams may include breast exams for detecting breast cancer and pelvic exams to examine reproductive organs. On the other hand, male physical exams may include testicular exams, prostate exams, and hernia exams.
Laboratory Tests
While there are no standard lab tests for an annual physical, your doctor may recommend lab tests, especially if you are showing symptoms that need confirmation with such tests. You may get blood tests to check complete blood count, urinalysis for certain conditions, and blood sugar tests to check for diabetes.
An annual physical is your chance to check your health and be in touch with your doctor to address any rising health issues. You can also discuss with your doctor preventative measures to lower future complications that may rise with early signs of diseases. You can schedule your annual physicals up to twice a year if you are young, but regular exams if you are older, say 40 years. Prepare for your annual physicals by writing concerns, carrying out health information data, and keeping track of your current prescriptions.