Learn what goes down in an average check-up, so you know what to expect on your next visit to your local physician! See also the different procedures you can do safely in your own home.
In a check-up, medical practitioners will examine the overall condition of your health. They do this by conducting several basic procedures. As a result, your healthcare provider can attend to your specific health needs and discuss prevention measures.
Here's what you can expect in your check-up:
1.) Update Health History
First, your doctor will want to know any developments and changes regarding your health. They will be asking you a few questions in order for them to get the "big picture" on your current health status.
What you will be discussing with the doctor may include:
Personal Health Concerns
Here, you can inform the attending physician of any symptoms or pain that you noticed and has been bothering you recently. It is important that you describe what you are feeling, where and when they occur, and what relieves them.
Medications
Doctors will want to know what medications you are taking, including supplements, as these could affect your health in various ways. One should also inform their doctor of any allergies. This way, they will be able to prescribe you appropriately, in order to prevent dangerous drug interactions.
Family Health History
Letting your doctor know of your family history is important for them to understand your personal health status. You must let them know of any recurring conditions or diseases amongst relatives, as well as how it affected them.
Social Environment
Your social environment can also affect both your physical and mental health. Let your doctor know of any environmental factors, i.e. stress from work, distorted sleep schedule. That way, they can identify possible risks to your health, and help you prevent and/or reduce them.
2.) Measure Height and Weight
This part of a check-up may seem very basic and self-explanatory, but it can mean a lot for your health. By having standard measurements of height and weight, doctors have a baseline to monitor your health. Abnormal weight and height, or drastic changes in weight and height can indicate health problems.
3.) Vital Signs Check
Vital signs are a group of the most important medical signs that serve as measurements that indicate the status of the body's most basic functions. The four main vital signs monitored by healthcare providers include:
Body Temperature
Pulse Rate
Respiration Rate
Blood Pressure
Observing vital signs allows one to detect and monitor medical problems. Furthermore, the checking of vital signs can also be done in a home setting!
For more information on vital signs, see our post on how to check vital signs in the home!
4.) Visual Exam
Aside from examining your internal condition, doctors will check your appearance for more possible conditions. They will be checking parts of your body that can visually indicate problems and issues. This includes the following:
Head
Eyes
Chest
Abdomen
Musculoskeletal System (i.e. Hands and Wrists)
Nervous System (i.e. Speech and Walking)
5.) Physical Exam
For this next part of the check-up, your doctor will be examining each organ system. They'll be using various equipment and apparatus to check the different parts of your body such as the ears, nose, and throat. They'll also be listening to your heart and lungs. Other parts of the physical exam include:
Touching parts of your body to feel for abnormalities
Checking Hair, Skin, and Nails
Testing Motor Functions and Reflexes
For certain age groups, doctors may also performa a breast and pelvic exam for women, and a prostate exam for men.
6.) Laboratory Test
According to what your doctor assesses from earlier exams, they may request for additional tests like blood work and screening. Such laboratory tests can detect irregularities in the body that might suggest a bigger problem. Other tests your doctor can request include a diabetes screen, a thyroid screen, and a lipid panel. Your doctor might also ask additional questions based on their examination.
Don't forget to follow-up with your doctor after you have received the results from these tests!
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