Doctors consider a routine physical exam an essential part of a visit. The annual exam monitors current health and prevents future issues. Routine exams keep vaccinations up-to-date and detect conditions early. During a thorough physical examination, the doctor covers the patient head to toe and usually completes it within 30 to 45 minutes.
Here are a few things to expect during your next physical exam:
Health History
To begin, your doctor will ask for an update on recent developments and changes in your health. This may include a list of medications you’re taking, any allergies you have, family medical history, and your vaccination history. Your doctor may also ask you about select lifestyle behaviors, including smoking, sleep habits, sexual health, excessive alcohol use, or diet and exercise.
Vital Signs
Another essential element of any physical exam is a review of your vital signs. Your doctor will do a blood pressure reading, check your heart rate, take your body temperature, and may review your respiratory rate.
Visual Exam
After a check of your vital signs, a doctor will usually review your appearance for indications of any abnormalities or potential issues. This may include an examination of the following:
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- Head
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- Eyes
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- Chest
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- Abdomen
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- Skin and nails, to look for dermatological problems or diseases
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- Nervous system functions, including speech, muscle strength, balance or reflexes
Physical Exam
Following a visual examination, your doctor will continue the checkup with a physical exam. Because each patient is uniquely different, not all physical exams will be the same. However, here are some common examinations to expect:
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- Heart exam. Using a stethoscope, the doctor will listen to your heartbeat looking for any indication of an irregular heartbeat or heart murmur
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- Lung exam. To check for evidence of heart or lung disease, the doctor will use a stethoscope to detect wheezing, decreased breath sounds, or abnormal breathing.
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- Abdominal exam. To assess liver size and check for presence of abdominal fluid, the doctor may tap near your abdomen, looking for any signs of tenderness or pain.
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- Extremities exam. The doctor may assess your joints for possible issues and will look for physical and sensory changes in your extremities, including your wrists and arms.
Laboratory Tests
Your doctor may draw blood for laboratory tests depending on your history and risk factors you have for certain conditions. For instance, a patient with a family health history of heart disease may need a lipid panel (cholesterol test). Another patient may need their blood sugar checked if they are overweight or have risk factors of diabetes. Other laboratory tests commonly requested by physicians include a complete blood count, chemistry panel, and a urinalysis.
Screening Tests
Doctors request screening tests based on physical exam findings. The screening tests can differ between men and women.
Men
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- Testicular exam: A doctor may check testicles for lumps or changes in size that may indicate testicular cancer.
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- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening: This is a one-time screening advised for men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have a history of smoking.
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- Prostate exam: Regular screening for prostate cancer is recommended for men starting at the age of 50 but may start as early as 40 depending on family medical history.
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- Cholesterol test: Starting at age 35, men are recommended to take regular cholesterol tests. For men who have a history of heart problems or diabetes, checks may be recommended as early as 20.
Women
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- Breast exam: A breast exam is used to check for abnormal lumps which could be an indication of breast cancer or another benign breast condition.
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- Mammogram: Women are recommended to have a mammogram every two years if they are at low or average risk for breast cancer from the ages of 50 to 75. Earlier testing may be recommended for those with a family history of breast cancer.
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- Cholesterol test: Starting at the age of 45, it’s recommended that most women receive regular cholesterol tests. Women at a high risk for diabetes or heart disease may begin cholesterol checks earlier than 45.
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- Pelvic exam: Medical professionals conduct a pelvic exam to detect signs of sexually transmitted infections or other issues, which can be done with or without a pap smear.
How to Prepare
Preparing for your annual physical exam is simple. Before your appointment, make sure to take note of all medications you’re currently taking, possible symptoms of health problems you may be experiencing, any recent lab test results, and anything you’re allergic to. If your doctor has requested that you fast for a blood test, be sure to follow their advice.
Overall
Physical exams are recommended annually in general but may be advised more frequently for patients who have specific health issues or may be at risk for certain conditions. Following your annual physical exam, your doctor may request a return appointment to discuss any exam discoveries or test results.
Your routine physical exam is meant to assess your current health and prevent serious potential health issues. Communication with your doctor during each annual exam lets you learn more about your body and the best way to take care of it. With the help of your doctor, you can start/maintain healthy habits that have a lifetime of benefits.
Tanner Clinic
Take control of your health and schedule your routine physical exam with Tanner Clinic. Our outstanding team of physicians are here to help you through every step of your health journey. Contact us or schedule an appointment today!
