What are annual physicals?
An annual physical is a yearly health and wellness check with your doctor. This preventive screening allows your doctor to detect early signs of disease or factors that put you at risk of future complications, such as heart disease or diabetes. With early intervention, you can prevent disease or slow its progression.
Physical exams also serve as a time to check in with your doctor. Whether you have a question or concern about your health, your physician at Osteopathic Medical Associates of Nevada is available to help.
What happens during annual physicals?
An annual physical consists of two main parts: a medical history review and a physical exam.
Medical history review
Reviewing your medical history is an important step of any physical exam. During this portion of the exam, your doctor asks questions about any new or worsening symptoms you’re experiencing and medications you’re taking. They may also discuss your family history, diet, fitness regimen, alcohol consumption, stress levels, and more.
Physical exam
The physical part of your assessment is a head-to-toe exam. First, your doctor checks your height and weight before recording your vitals (blood pressure, temperature, respiration rate).
After listening to your heart and lungs, your doctor looks inside your ears, nose, and throat. They also palpate your abdomen and test your strength and reflexes. Depending on your age and sex, your doctor may also perform additional screenings, such as a bone density test or Pap smear.
If your doctor does detect changes to your health during your annual physical, they may recommend additional testing, such as blood work, urinalysis, X-rays, ultrasounds, or an electrocardiogram (EKG).
Certain types of physicals, such as Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals, also called CDL physicals, require additional testing. A DOT physical, which assesses your ability to drive a commercial vehicle, is a test you must complete every two years to maintain your license.
How often do I need annual physicals?
The family medicine specialists at Osteopathic Medical Associates of Nevada recommend visiting for an annual physical once a year to keep track of changes to your health. They can refer to the information they collect during these annual health assessments for years to come. Depending on your health history, they may recommend more frequent visits.
To learn more about annual physicals, call Osteopathic Medical Associates of Nevada, or schedule an appointment online today.
