A physical exam, sometimes known simply as a physical, is an important part of helping you stay as healthy as possible. Based on the results of your exam, our health and wellness experts at Southside Medical Center in Atlanta, GA can make recommendations on how you can change your diet, exercise routine, and other aspects of your life to improve your health. Today, we’re looking at everything you need to know about a physical.
What Does a Comprehensive Physical Exam Include?
One part of a comprehensive physical exam is the examination of your body. We will closely inspect your throat, nose, ears, and eyes. We will also check your skin to ensure it is in good condition. Furthermore, we will feel for lumps that may indicate something wrong with your health and check the size and shape of certain organs to confirm that everything is as it should be.
Our experienced doctors can identify a wide range of problems with your organs based on the way they sound when your abdomen is tapped. For example, blockages can be identified without the need for a visual exam, like an MRI. Additionally, we will gently tap your legs with a rubber hammer to test your reflexes. Moreover, we will use a stethoscope to listen to your:
- Bowels
- Lungs
- Heart
How Long Should I Anticipate My Exam Taking?
Generally, it takes half an hour to complete a comprehensive physical exam. However, your exam may take longer depending on the results. Further testing may include a blood draw to test the chemistry of your body, an EKG to test your heart, or a computer tomography or X-ray to investigate any problems identified during your comprehensive health screening.
Will My Medical History Be Discussed During My Physical?
Yes, we will ask you questions to get a comprehensive picture of your medical history. Before you arrive for your exam, be prepared to answer questions about medical conditions you suffer from and health concerns you’ve had in the past. Also, be prepared to talk about your family medical history. It is crucial that we are aware of medical conditions suffered by your grandparents, parents, siblings, and children.
Furthermore, before you come in for your comprehensive physical exam, make a list of all the drugs and supplements you currently take. Include in your list how much you take of each pharmaceutical and how often each pharmaceutical is taken. Moreover, we need to know about any medical procedures or treatments you have undergone in the past.
What Else Should I Be Prepared To Discuss?
You should be prepared to talk about your lifestyle during your appointment. To get the clearest picture of your current health and risk of developing medical conditions in the future, we will ask you about your habits, like how often you smoke if you are a smoker. We will also talk about your alcohol consumption and recreational drug use.
Furthermore, we must be informed about your diet and exercise routine. Your diet is a key piece in your health puzzle because malnutrition can lead to a number of medical conditions. We need to know about how often you exercise and what type of exercise you do because getting enough exercise mitigates the risk of developing chronic diseases. We also need to know about your sleep habits and any pain or discomfort you experience.
What Should I Ask During My Appointment?
During your comprehensive physical exam, you should ask about what health issues you are at risk for. You also should ask what vaccinations you should get to mitigate the risk of diseases you are at risk of developing. Also, you should inquire about whether you need to change your diet.
How Often Should I Get a Physical?
During your physical, we will advise you on how often you should return for another comprehensive physical exam. Generally, if you’re in your 20s, you should come in every two to three years to get a comprehensive evaluation of your physical health. If you are between the ages of 30 and 49, you should have your physical health evaluated every other year. Annual exams should generally be scheduled annually once you reach the age of 50.
What Other Preventative Healthcare Steps Should I Take?
Regardless of your age, it is a good idea to have your blood pressure tested every other year. Beyond the age of 40, you should have your cholesterol checked twice per decade. Furthermore, every decade, you should get a colonoscopy or another diagnostic test to screen for colorectal cancer.
What Screening Tests Should a Woman Get Regularly?
Mammogram
Women with no more than an average risk of developing breast cancer should get a mammogram to screen for breast cancer every other year if they are between 50 and 74 years old. After the age of 74, annual breast cancer screenings should be scheduled. During your comprehensive physical, we will discuss your personal and family medical history to confirm that you don’t need more frequent breast cancer screenings.
Pap Smear
Women should also get routine Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer. The first Pap smear should be performed when a woman is 21. After that, it is highly advisable to have follow-up screenings once every three years. However, if you do not have a healthy immune system, you should be screened more regularly for cervical cancer.
After you turn 30, you should get a cervical cancer screening once every five years. After the age of 65, you should no longer need to be screened for cervical cancer. However, you will be advised if you are an exception to the general rule.
Schedule Your Comprehensive Physical Today
During your comprehensive physical exam, we will identify problems with your health by checking your organs, such as your eyes and skin. We will also discuss your personal and family medical history to get a complete picture of your current health and risk of developing medical conditions. To schedule your comprehensive exam, drop us a line at Southside Medical Center in Atlanta, GA today.
