The Basics Of A Health Exam

Much can be learned about a patient's condition by listening to and observing the patient's body. A few routine tests can be instrumental in saving someone's life. It is important to one's overall health and well-being to adhere to regularly scheduled physical examinations. Here is what you can expect when reporting for a routine physical examination.

To begin with, you will find that your doctor will find out some general information from you that they will gather on a health history form. If you have continued to see the same doctor for a period of time they will usually still ask you to update this form annually. There are several reasons for this. First of all your family history is something that can change with each passing year and sometimes there are health issues that creep up on us that we many times don't even realize. By reviewing the systems on this type of form most doctors find that patients are much more forthcoming with new and existing symptom information.

After this initial paperwork is completed, you will meet with a nurse who will obtain some general information about you - your height, weight, blood pressure, and take blood and urine samples. A lot of information about you that can be learned not only from the blood and urine analysis tests and the blood pressure check but even from the information contained in weight and height. Any significant change in these can provide an indication of a health problem as well.

When your doctor first comes in the room he or she will discuss with you the information that they have gathered so far and ask more probing questions about any health area that they feel may be an issue. Then as they begin the exam, the doctor will not only listen to your systems but they will also look and feel to check if everything seems normal. Most doctors have a patient wear a gown so that they can see the areas that they are checking on because there are skin issues and discoloration issues that can indicate problems.

Routine health exams help to identify potentially serious health issues before they worsen. With early detection, certain serious health issues can be treated successfully, and it may even be possible to combat and cure an illness before it becomes life threatening.