Gentle Primary care provides male and female physical examination near Sugarland tx 77479 under the supervision of Dr. Mehjabin Parkar, MD
What to expect during a physical exam
A physical exam, or a physical, is a routine test in which a healthcare professional examines, feels, or listens to different parts of a human body. A routine physical examination ensures that you stay healthy. A physical can also be a preventive step as in it allows you to catch up on vaccinations or detect a serious condition, like cancer or diabetes, before it causes problems.
During the exercise program, your doctor can also check vitals such as weight, heart rate, and blood pressure. Other names for a physical include a complete physical exam, a routine physical, and a checkup.
A doctor or nurse may recommend a physical exam to:-
- Check for possible diseases or medical conditions
- Check for medical issues that may become a problem later on
- Keep track of any changes in a person’s physical health
- Determine whether a person needs further tests
Physical Examination near Sugarland tx 77479
Usually, a health care professional will also take a medical history before moving on to a physical exam. Medical history is a record of a person’s current symptoms and any risk factors and previous medical problems that may be relevant.
The doctor or nurse may ask about this:
- Past and present diseases or health conditions
- Previous surgery or treatment procedures
- Past immunizations
- Any medications, vitamins, minerals, and herbs one is currently using
- Current signs and symptoms
- Lifestyle information, such as diet and exercise habits, tobacco and alcohol use, and history of sexual and reproductive health
- Family history of health conditions or diseases
Exactly what physical examination involves depends on the test site, but it can usually include:
- Height and weight measurements
- Examination of the nose, mouth, throat, and ear with a torch or scope
- To feel a person’s heartbeat, hip, or feet
- To check body intelligence
- Listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope
- To measure blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer
- The sensation of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
- Abdomen to examine abnormalities
In infants and young children, physical examinations may include:
- Asking questions about their growth and development
- Measuring the circumference of their head
- Checking they’re fine motor development, such as by asking them to pick up small items or tie their shoelaces
- Checking their gross motor development, which can include asking them to walk, climb stairs, or jump
- Looking in the mouth, eyes, and ears
- Listening to the chest
- To test the health of the genitals
- Tapping on the knees to check reflexes
- Examining the feet
Sometimes people are tested to see if there is a problem or condition. In these cases, the health care professional may perform certain tests in addition to the above. We discuss some of these specific tests below.
Our Screenings Detect Risk Factors Before Symptoms Develop.
Laboratory tests
To complete the physical examination, your doctor may perform a blood test to perform a number of laboratory tests. This can include a total blood count and total metabolic panel (also called a chemical panel). The panel checks your blood plasma and can detect any existing kidney, liver, blood chemicals, and immune system. This helps to detect the irregularities in your body that may indicate a serious problem. Your doctor may request a diabetes screen and a thyroid screen. If you have an increased risk of heart attack, heart disease, or stroke, they may ask for a lipid panel (cholesterol test).
Skin exam
Doctors recommend regular skin exams to look for suspicious growths, moles, or other changes that may be a sign of skin cancer. These exams are particularly important for people with risk factors for skin cancer, such as those with a family history of the condition. The exam will typically involve the doctor checking the person’s skin from head to toe.
Where and how will the exam be administered?
Healthcare professionals typically carry out a physical exam in their office or in a dedicated room in a medical clinic or hospital.
It is important for the doctor or nurse to make sure that a person feels comfortable during the physical examination. The American Medical Association requires clinicians to provide an escort upon request and to allow people to bring a friend or relative to the testing room with them.
Gentle Primary care provides Physical Examination near 77479 Sugarland Texas
What screening tests might be performed?
Your doctor might request screening tests. These can differ based on your biological sex.
Women:
Mammogram: In women with low or moderate risk of breast cancer, a mammogram is recommended every two years between the ages of 50 and 74. Early and routine tests may be recommended based on your personal history and family history of breast cancer.
Breast exam: A breast exam can be used to check for abnormal lumps or signs of breast cancer.
Pap smear: Pap smear is a test for cervical cancer. Women should start testing when they are 21 years old. Thereafter, follow-up tests are recommended every three years, as long as the woman has a healthy immune system. After 30 years, a pap smear is recommended once every five years, until she is 65 years old. After 65 years, most women no longer need a pap smear
Pelvic exam: This can be done with or without a pap smear. A pelvic exam includes examining the vagina, cervix, and vulva for signs of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or other conditions.
Cholesterol test: Most women should start checking normal cholesterol when they are 45 years old. If you have a history of diabetes or heart disease, you may need to start checking cholesterol at the age of 20.
screening: The diagnosis of bone density should begin at age 65. It may soon begin in some medical conditions.
Men:
Cholesterol test: Most men are advised to start testing normal cholesterol when they are 35 years old. If you have a history or genetic predisposition to diabetes or heart disease, you may need to start checking cholesterol before you are 20 years old.
Prostate cancer screening: Generally, the use of prostate-specific antigen and digital rectal tests for prostate cancer is not recommended, so talk to your doctor. The test may be recommended for some men from the age of 50. It may start when they are 40 years old for those with a strong family history.
Testicular exam: Your doctor may wish to examine each testicle for signs of a problem, including lumps, changes in size, and tenderness.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening: This is a diagnostic test that is performed with ultrasound. Recommended for all men aged 65-75 who have ever smoked.
Both men and women:
Colon (colorectal) cancer test: Tests for this cancer usually begin at age 50. It may be sooner based on personal health conditions and family history.
Lung cancer screening: An annual low-dose lung CT scan is recommended for both men and women aged 55-80 who have been smoking for a long time or those who are currently smoking. Talk to your doctor to see if your smoking history allows for a screen for lung cancer.
Depression: Many people are unaware of the symptoms of depression because they can easily identify other things. However, a stress test at each test can help your doctor determine if your symptoms are the result of depression.
Diabetes: If you have a family history or risk factors for diabetes – such as being overweight or having high blood pressure or high cholesterol – you should get tested for diabetes. Your doctor may use a fast blood sugar test or A1C test.
Hepatitis C: All individuals born between 1945 and 1965 are recommended to have a one-time blood test to screen for hepatitis C.
Vaccinations: All adults continue to need to be vaccinated throughout their lives. Talk to your doctor about what goals are recommended based on your age.
STI screening: Based on your personal sexual history, a standard STI test during a routine physical exam may be recommended. This could include HIV testing and syphilis.
HIV test: Your doctor may recommend that you test for HIV only once for prevention purposes or that it should be done more than once if you have unprotected sex on a regular basis.
Syphilis test: You may need to take this test if you’re pregnant or at risk for syphilis.
If your doctor believes that a specific part of your body requires closer examination, you may receive what’s known as a focused physical exam. In this type of exam, your doctor may only look at a certain part of your body to confirm their suspected diagnosis.
Summary
Physical exams are a normal part of health care. Doctors and nurses use them to diagnose general health, look for potential medical problems, and to monitor specific symptoms.
If the doctor suspects an underlying medical condition, he or she will usually recommend further diagnostic tests.
They will usually do all they can to help people feel as comfortable as possible during the physical examination. Anyone who is concerned about a physical examination should talk to their doctor.