Thursday, April 28, 2016

What To Expect During Comprehensive Wellness Physical Examinations

By Joshua Stone


It is recommended that you take regular or annual health exam to enable professionals to monitor your health. The purpose of these wellness physical examinations is to prevent the escalation of any health condition by detecting it early enough. This preventive approach ensures that the risky condition does not get out of hand. Doctors monitor such health vitals as cholesterol, weight and blood pressure.

There is no standardized test or procedure for carrying out the exam because each individual faces unique health challenges. The doctor also depends on your available health history to monitor progress. This is the basis of specialized examination or a general checkup. The issues to be examined are often times dictated by your health and family history. It provides the risk areas that need monitoring.

Health history informs doctors on the preventive strategies that need to be taken. The direction of the exam will also be influenced by personal concerns, age and test results obtained. The doctor uses these premises to recommend specific tests that give an indication of your overall health. It is these findings that help to develop a customized preventive health strategy.

A verbal discussion with the doctor will be used to establish any history of health concerns. You are required to raise any issues and report your current feeling regarding your health. This includes the uptake of supplements, medication given in the recent past, relationship changes, work place changes, etc. No tests will be conducted at this juncture. It is your openness and willingness to reveal your personal feeling that will direct the doctor.

Medics use vital health indicators to ascertain your current status and predict possible future positions. A reading of your heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure provides important indications. The readings are compared to what was recorded during previous visits with the aim of establishing whether you are getting healthier or your condition is deteriorating. Ensure that your blood pressure is checked once every two years. For seniors, the frequency of checks increases with age.

Doctors use physical appearance to detect signs of danger with the health of a patient. The checks focus on the head and neck because they are clear indicators of health status. Abdominal areas, your hair and nails may also be checked. Beyond checking your limbs, doctors also listen to your heart and lungs. The aim is to identify visible signs of health danger.

Blood tests complete the exam to give a comprehensive view of your condition. Vital checks conducted include blood count and chemistry panel. There are acceptable levels that should be maintained by all means. In case of an irregularity, necessary steps will be taken to correct the situation. For patients at risk of heart conditions like attacks, stroke and heart disease, lipid panel and cholesterol tests are conducted.

The physiology of women demands a different examination procedure. Procedures that are specific to women include mammogram for those between the ages of 50 and 74 years. Other recommended procedures are pulp smear, breast exam and pelvic exam. Both men and women will also be examined for sexually transmitted infections, depression and diabetes. Follow-up appointments and tests may be recommended depending on the results of the exam.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment