Physical Exam
Your Path to Wellness Starts Here: Book a Physical Exam In San Antonio, TX
Trust in CareFront Medical Group
What is a Physical Exam?
Benefits of Regular Physical Exams
Regular physical check-ups result in a plethora of benefits, some of which include:
- Early Detection: Some diseases, like hypertension, diabetes, or certain types of cancer, manifest themselves at later stages. A physical examination can help detect such conditions early enough, as this is when treatment is most effective.
- Preventative Care: Your healthcare provider must provide healthy lifestyle advice, execute appropriate screenings based on age and risk factors, and ways to prevent future health problems.
- Personalized Healthcare: Physical tests allow doctors to adjust their suggestions according to individual patient's unique health needs and objectives. They may address any anxiety you are experiencing, provide insight into your family’s medical history, and develop a plan to efficiently ensure all your health concerns are addressed.
- Monitoring Chronic Conditions: If you suffer from chronic maladies like diabetes or heart disease, you must have regular physical exams. Such visits enable your doctor to monitor your condition, change medications when necessary, and manage any possible complications.
- Building a Relationship with Your Doctor: Regular physical examinations enable one to develop a strong relationship with his/her primary care physician. Through these visits, they are able to more effectively meet a patient’s particular needs over time.
What to Expect During a Physical Exam at CareFront Medical Group?
Our physical exams are designed to be thorough and efficient. Here’s what you can expect:
Before Your Physical Exam Appointment:
- To Gather Information: Develop an inventory of medication, allergies, and health issues you want to discuss.
- When Fasting Is Required: Fasting before your appointment may be necessary depending on the type of physical examination being done. We will let you know if there are other special instructions during scheduling.
During Your Appointment:
- Medical History Review: This includes a review of your medical history, family history, and current medications by your doctor
- Physical Examination: A physical examination most often includes the usual checks for vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and respiration), an overall assessment of your well-being, and a physical examination of different body systems that may include:
- Surveying the head and neck.
- Monitoring heart and chest sounds.
- Inspecting the abdomen
- Evaluating your musculoskeletal system.
- Performing a neurological examination.
- Discussion of Concerns: Share your health issues, queries, or symptoms.
- Recommended Tests & Screenings: Depending on your age, medical history, and individual needs, your doctor may suggest additional tests or screenings. These may include blood tests, urinalysis, cholesterol checks, or mammograms (for women).
- Preventive Care Planning: This could involve advice about lifestyle habits that will improve your health, like getting exercise regularly and eating a balanced diet.
After Your Appointment:
- Follow-Up and Results: After performing a physical exam on the patient, the doctor will inform him or her of the results and advise on any further actions that may be necessary.
- Report Summary: You should go home with a summary report, which includes details of your examination findings, any diagnoses made, prescribed medications, and suggestions for further treatment.
Types of Physical Exams Offered at CareFront Medical Group
We have various types of physical examinations to suit your needs:
- Well-Child Exams: We offer extensive well-child exams to all age groups based on the recommended schedule set by the American Academy of Pediatrics. These checks aim to promote healthy development in children whilst detecting potential problems early enough.
- Annual Physical Exams: These regular checkups are vital for adults of all ages. They allow your doctor to observe your welfare, find potential problems, and develop personalized strategies for keeping healthy.
- Pre-employment Physicals: We offer comprehensive pre-employment physicals that meet the needs of employers.
- Sports Physicals: These physicals assess your fitness for sports participation and identify any potential health risks.
FAQs About Physical Exam
How often should I have a physical exam?
The frequency of these check-ups depends on your age, medical history, and risk factors. As a general rule of thumb, adults usually get them once a year, but you should consult your healthcare provider as you might require more frequent ones depending on individual circumstances.
Should I observe fasting before I undertake a physical examination?
Fasting is not something we ordinarily recommend for a routine physical, but your healthcare provider may order special blood tests that require you to fast.
Can my physical exam include discussing intimate issues with my healthcare provider?
Your physical exam should be a confidential place where you can discuss all health concerns and sensitive topics with your physician. We encourage open communication to ensure that all of your healthcare needs are addressed.