Time for Your Annual Physical
by Phillips Clinic on 05/31/24
ANNUAL PHYSICALS
Why are Check-Ups Important?
According to the CDC:
“Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start. They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better. By getting the right health services, screenings, and treatments, you are taking steps that help your chances for living a longer, healthier life. Your age, health and family history, lifestyle choices (i.e. what you eat, how active you are, whether you smoke), and other important factors impact what and how often you need healthcare.”
What better time than summer to take some time and schedule an appointment—for adults (when it’s vacation time) and kids (when school is out).
RECOMMENDED FOR ADULTS
Recommendations for adults can include:
Personal & Family History
Any Complaints and/or Concerns
Vitals, including Height, Weight, Temperature, Respiration
& Blood Pressure
Blood pressure Check
Heart Health Check
Lung Health
Head & Neck Exam
Abdominal Exam
Skin & Nails Exam
Extremities Exam
General Appearance Physical Exam
ADDITIONAL EXAMS
FOR MEN
Testicular exam: Check each testicle for lumps, tenderness, or changes in size. Most men with testicular cancer notice a growth before seeing a doctor.
Hernia exam: Check for a weakness in the abdominal wall between the intestines and scrotum.
Prostate exam: Checking the prostate for its size and any suspicious areas.
ADDITIONAL EXAMS
FOR WOMAN
Breast exam. Feeling for abnormal lumps, lymph nodes in the underarm area and look for visual abnormalities of the breasts and nipples.
Pelvic exam: The pelvic exam allows examination of the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus and ovaries and a PAP test.
LABS
Complete blood count (CBC)
Chemistry panel
Urinalysis (UA)
Lipid Panel (cholesterol levels)
Blood Sugar (for diabetes)
PREVENTIVE
Colorectal cancer screening is recommended for all adults, 45 and over
Mammograms are recommended for women over 40.
FOR KIDS
Preschool age children (4-5 years old):
Preschool age children need to have their 4/5 year old vaccines before starting kindergarten. These can be given as early as age 4 but can wait until just prior to the start of kindergarten. A physical prior to starting first grade. The ideal time to schedule a physical examination is in the summer before your child will start kindergarten.
School age children (6-11 years old):
After starting school, a physical is recommended every two years. They will need vaccines again at age 11 or 12. If children are participating in sports, a sports physical is required.
Teenagers (12-17 years old):
If your teenager is participating in school sports, they will need an annual sports physical. If not, a physical is recommended every two years. There are vaccines recommended 11- and 12 years old, and then possibly again when at 16.
Phillips Clinic Family Practice providers go beyond the minimum recommended yearly primary care checkups, and offers wellness and anti-aging services as well.
