Why Your Annual Physical is More Important Than You Think

You may not feel it's necessary to visit your primary care provider when you're feeling healthy, but an annual physical still offers many benefits. Even if you don't have any pressing health concerns, it's important to discuss your ongoing needs at a yearly exam. Your annual physical is a great time to get to know your provider and learn more about living a healthy lifestyle. Each exam will be unique depending on your health history, but here are a few things you can expect from your annual physical at Schneck.

What to Expect at Your Annual Physical

Your provider will likely cover the following topics to monitor symptoms of underlying health issues. Discussing these issues also ensures you have the tools and information you need to maintain your health.

Your Health History

During your physical, your provider will ask about recent changes to your health and review your medical records. You may discuss your diet and exercise, alcohol and tobacco use, sexual health, and current medications. This is an excellent time to learn more about health maintenance.

You can also share information about your family's health history. For example, if a parent has developed stomach cancer in the past year, you can share that information at your physical. It may impact the type of exam your primary care provider will perform.

Physical Exam

A physical exam helps your provider track changes and check for symptoms that require further investigation. These exams may include but are not limited to:

• Measuring your height and weight
• Performing a head and neck exam
• Listening to your heart and lungs
• Looking into your ears and eyes
• Checking for swelling in your extremities
• Examining your skin
• Examining your breast tissue
• Reviewing each organ system, asking questions about your breathing, digestion, chest pain, and more
• Taking your vitals, including your body temperature, blood pressure, and pulse

If your healthcare provider finds anything unexpected in your physical exam, they will discuss it with you during your appointment. They may also refer you to another specialist for additional testing, if necessary.

Internal Exams and Sexual Health Screenings

Many people have routine health exams and sexual health screenings done during their yearly physicals. These exams may not happen every time you visit your primary care provider, but it's important to understand what kind of screening you might encounter.

• Pap smear/pelvic exam: Women's health specialists recommended that most women between the ages of 21 and 29 receive a pap smear every three years. After age 29, many providers recommend the test once every five years until the women is 65. A pap smear screens for the human papillomavirus, or HPV, and signs of cervical cancer.
• Prostate exams: Beginning around age 45, prostate exams are preformed during many men's physicals. During a prostate exam, a healthcare professional inserts their finger into the patient's anus to check for signs of prostate cancer.

Benefits of an Annual Physical

Visiting your primary care provider frequently means you have a better chance of catching diseases earlier. Most diseases are easier to treat the earlier they're caught, so your annual visit can improve your treatment options for many conditions.

Yearly visits also help your primary care provider establish a baseline for your health and learn more about your unique needs. Regularly visiting your healthcare provider means they will be better able to identify small changes in your health that could indicate more significant issues.