Having an annual physical is one of the best ways to stay healthy and prevent serious health problems in men of all ages. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a physical exam, you might wonder what they include.
As a leading primary care provider in Frederick and Clarksburg, Maryland, top-rated Primary Care Associates tailors annual physicals to ensure every man gets the care they need for optimal wellness at every age. Here’s what to expect during your next yearly exam.
A physical exam starts with the basics: your personal and family medical history, measurements of your weight and blood pressure, and a review of any symptoms or concerns you have. We’ll take your blood pressure, listen to your heart and lungs, check your ears and throat, and maybe check your reflexes.
Annual physicals also provide an opportunity to have a prostate exam and a testicular exam, looking for signs of cancer or other concerns, like prostate enlargement. We can also perform simple STD screenings using your urine or your blood, and we’ll do a visual exam for sores, rashes, or other skin changes that could indicate an infection.
Based on your risk factors, age, and other variables, we may recommend vaccines to ward off serious diseases or medical screenings, like colorectal cancer screening, to look for polyps or very early signs of cancer. We’ll also check for possible hernias — the familiar “turn your head and cough” exam.
Finally, we’ll review your exam results and discuss lifestyle factors that could affect your health and wellness. Then, we’ll work with you to develop a wellness plan aimed at helping you stay healthy and maximize your quality of life.
Annual physicals are the backbone of any wellness plan, regardless of your age or gender. For men, an annual exam helps us keep an ongoing record of their health information, which helps us spot subtle changes that could be an early “warning” sign of a developing problem.
Having a physical every year also ensures you remain up to date on critical medical screenings as recommended by the CDC and other health agencies. And, of course, it’s also a great time to have vaccines or boosters to bolster your immune system.
Finally, seeing your doctor regularly provides you with an opportunity to get health advice and discuss medical or wellness issues that concern you. That might include STD testing, sexual dysfunction concerns, problems with your weight or sleep, or several other issues.
There’s another benefit to having annual exams: Seeing your doctor regularly builds a trusting relationship that helps you feel secure discussing even sensitive health issues, so you know you have someone to turn to for answers to all your concerns and questions.
If it’s been a while since your last physical exam, now is the perfect time to schedule one. To get started, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Primary Care Associates today.
