Check up; It is an in-depth health screening, even if people do not have health problems. Check up; It is the whole of examination, laboratory and X-ray tests for early diagnosis. Diseases detected in advanced stages are devastating for both the patient and the patient's family. Check-up is very important for people to live healthy lives, to diagnose possible health problems early or to answer suspicious situations. Check-up is a step that should be performed by specialist physicians. Do not neglect your health to grow old healthily...
What to Expect at an Annual Physical Check-Up?
A good doctor may keep your physical exam full or brief, but will spend time listening to your concerns and providing counseling for your specific needs.
Annual check-ups usually check the following:
Past history: This is your chance to mention any complaints or concerns about your health. Your doctor will also question you about your lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, excessive alcohol use, sexual health, diet and exercise. Your doctor will also check your vaccination status and update your personal and family medical history.
Vital signs: These are some vital signs that are checked by your doctor:
Blood pressure: Below or slightly above 120 to 80 is a normal blood pressure. Doctors define high blood pressure (hypertension) as over 130 - 80.
Heart rate: Values between 60 and 100 are considered normal. However, many healthy people, especially athletes, have a heart rate of less than 60.
Respiratory rate: 12 to 16 breaths per minute is normal for a healthy adult. More than 20 breaths per minute may indicate heart or lung problems.
Body Temperature: The average is 37 degrees Celsius, but healthy people may have a slightly higher or lower body temperature at rest.
General appearance: Just by watching you and talking to you, your doctor gathers a lot of information about you and your health. How is your memory and mental activity rate? Does your skin look healthy? Can you stand and walk easily?
Heart Examination: By listening to your heart with a stethoscope, it can detect an irregular heartbeat, a murmur or clues to heart disease.
Lung Examination: Using a stethoscope, a doctor listens for wheezing or decreased breath sounds. These and other sounds are clues to the presence of heart or lung disease.
Head and Neck Examination: You show your throat and tonsils by opening your mouth and saying "aa". The quality of your teeth and gums also provides information about your general health. The ears, nose, sinuses, eyes, lymph nodes, thyroid and carotid arteries can also be examined.
Abdominal Examination: Your doctor may use a range of examination techniques, such as determining the size of the liver and abdominal fluid, palpating for tenderness and listening to bowel sounds with a stethoscope.
Neurological Examination: Nerves, muscle strength, reflexes, balance and mental status can be assessed.
Dermatologic Examination: Skin and nail findings may indicate a dermatologic problem or disease elsewhere in the body.
Extremity Examination: Your doctor looks for physical and sensory changes. Your pulse can be checked in your arms and legs. Examination of the joints can evaluate abnormalities.
Physical Examination in Men
An annual physical examination for men may include
Testicular examination: A doctor can check each testicular collection for mass tenderness or size changes. Most men with testicular cancer may notice a growth before seeing a doctor.
Hernia examination: The famous words "turn your head and cough" allow checking for weakness in the abdominal wall between the bowel and scrotum.
Penis examination: A doctor may notice evidence of sexually transmitted infections, such as warts or ulcers on the penis.
Prostate examination: Inserting a finger through the rectal area allows the doctor to feel the size of the prostate and any suspicious areas.
Female Physical Examination:
A woman's annual examination may include the following:
Breast Examination: Feeling for abnormal lumps can detect breast cancer or benign breast conditions. The doctor will also check the lymph nodes in the armpit area and look for visual abnormalities of the breasts and nipples.
Pelvic examination: A pelvic examination examines the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus and ovaries. Routine checks for sexually transmitted infections are often performed. Pap test and HPV test can screen for cervical cancer and help assess risk.
Laboratory tests
There are no periodic routine laboratory tests. However, some doctors order certain tests on a regular basis:
- Complete blood count
- Chemistry panel
- Urinalysis (UA)
Unfortunately, unless symptoms indicate a problem, these tests are unlikely to provide useful information.
According to the American Heart Association, a lipid panel (cholesterol test) is recommended every 4 to 6 years. Your doctor may check more often if you have risk factors for heart disease. Abnormal cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
If you are overweight or have risk factors for diabetes, your blood sugar will be checked. The American Diabetes Association recommends that all adults, starting at age 45, be tested for diabetes, regardless of weight.
Physical Check-up Should Emphasize Disease Prevention
An annual physical is a great opportunity to refocus your attention on prevention and screening:
At age 50, it is time to start regular screening for colorectal cancer. People with close family members with colorectal cancer or other risk factors may need to be screened before age 50.
For some women, age 40 is the time to start annual mammography screening for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends starting mammograms in women between the ages of 40 and 44. Women ages 45 to 54 should have mammograms every year, and women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every 2 years or continue with annual screenings. Women should talk to their doctor or other health care professional about when to start and how often mammograms should be done. Women should weigh the benefits and risks of screening tests when deciding whether to start mammograms at age 40.
Healthy behaviors do more to prevent disease than medication and do not require a prescription:
Exercise most days of the week. And do strength training at least twice a week. Always ask your doctor for advice on what exercise you should do and to what extent. Your risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some types of cancer will be significantly reduced.
Reduce animal fats, switch to a mostly plant-based diet. Above all, don't smoke.