A physical examination is a
comprehensive routine test performed to check your health. The test is carried
out by a primary care provider (PCP) who might be a doctor, physician
assistant, or nurse practitioner. Since it’s the general evaluation of your well-being,
you don’t need to be unwell to request for the exam. Apart from the evaluation
procedure, you may ask questions or discuss any concerns with the PCP. During
the physical examination, a series of tests are performed primarily depending
on your medical history, age, and other factors.
In this entire duration, your
healthcare provider is more likely to collect all possible cues and clues. Some
of them are based on the information you provide while others are collected
based on physical examination findings. The detailed diagnosis is performed
using x-ray machines, echocardiograms, scanners, etc.
Screening of Medical
Issues
Even if you have minor symptoms
of a certain medical condition, it will be diagnosed in the physical
examination thus preventing any upcoming health problems. These routine
checkups play an integral role in identifying any problems before they become
vulnerable to health. For instance, high blood pressure combined with a family
history has more probability of developing hypertension. Identifying any
concerns before they affect your well-being is the best way to take care of
yourself. Further, they assist you with a better lifestyle including the right
diet and workout routine.
Vaccination and Illness
Vaccines are not only developed
for children. Rather, occasional booster shots for enhanced immunization is
important for adults as well. Primarily depending on your lifestyle, and age,
the doctor may recommend a vaccine against whooping cough or flu. By developing
a relationship with your primary healthcare provider, they help you with faster
treatment if you suffer from any illness. You can connect with them at any time
and schedule your appointment immediately.
Let’s take a look at some of the
common tests carried under physical examination as soon as you enter the walk-in clinic in Chicago.
Auscultation
Examination
It’s an important physical
examination technique commonly used by healthcare providers to understand the
condition of your lungs, heart, and abdomen. Subsequently, they figure out if
there are any problems. The technique is performed using a stethoscope. If
there are some unusual findings, further testing is recommended. To diagnose
the neck, they listen to the sound in your arteries and identify if something
is blocking the sound of blood flow. Moreover, they listen to the heart sound
and find out if it’s beating normally. In case of any murmurs, they may
recommend further evaluation since it signifies any life-threatening or
non-life-threatening issues. To test the lungs, the healthcare provider will
use their stethoscope anywhere on the back or front of your chest wall. This is
performed to listen to the airflow in and out of the lungs. Likewise, the
abdomen and other locations are evaluated.
Neurologic Examination
When undergoing the physical
exam, another common checkup is the neurologic examination. This can be limited
or detailed depending on the findings. Generally, it is divided into four
segments including motor function assessment, cranial nerve assessment, sensory
function assessment, and reflexes assessment. Motor function evaluation focuses
on the individual’s muscle strength and coordination. You will be asked to
touch the nose and finger of the PCP with open and closed eyes. Cranial nerve
evaluation is the assessment of 12 cranial nerves arising from the brain. For
instance, a tongue depressor is used to evaluate the 9th and 10th cranial
nerves. For sensory functioning, the healthcare provider checks the sensation
such as temperature and pain. Finally, testing reflexes help in evaluating the
central nervous system. The sharpness of response is measured.
What about Children?
If you are confused about whether
toddlers and young children require a physical exam, the answer is they do! It
commonly involves:
●
Healthcare provider ask you questions regarding
the child’s growth and development
●
Evaluate their head circumference
●
Listen to their heartbeat
●
Tap on knees to measure the reflex
●
Check the gross motor development where they may
be asked to walk or jump
●
Check the fine motor development where they may
be asked to pick up certain items or perform the related task
●
Take a look in their ears, eyes, and mouth
●
Thoroughly examining the feet and the growth of
genitals
How to prepare yourself
for the physical examination?
In case you are unaware of any full physical
exam near your home, you can always connect with the health
insurance to provide you a list of healthcare providers in your area. On the
other hand, if you have made an appointment, it’s time to get ready for the
examination. If you are well-prepared for your physical examination, it will
significantly help in the entire procedure. Here is some important information
you should collect beforehand.
●
List down any medication or supplements you take
●
In case you are experiencing any pain, write it
down
●
Findings from the recent most or relevant
tests
●
Any surgical or medical history along with the
information of healthcare providers
●
Other relevant questions you want to ask
Once you have collected all the
information, it’s time to prepare your mind for the examination. We recommend
you dress up in comfortable clothing and avoid wearing any jewelry that may
affect the procedure. For instance, certain tests cannot be performed if you
are wearing something metallic.
Final Thoughts