We look at ourselves every day. We see those closest to us regularly as well. Being face to face with someone constantly removes the level of objectivity necessary to catch a potentially life-threatening issue.
If you have ever seen a picture of a friend or family member that you rarely see it is readily apparent how much they have changed. The same is true of a trained medical professional who sees you less often.
Some things like weight gain or loss are things that we miss due to being used to ourselves and our bodies. There are other important things that a doctor will check out during your exam.
- Blood Pressure
- Cancer screenings
- Hormonal imbalances
- Mental health screenings
If this is your first physical in a long time and you have been relatively healthy all of your life, you probably have questions. Make a list of those questions and rank them in order of importance. Your appointment will fly by and you don’t want your primary concern to be at the bottom of the list.
If this is not your first time in a doctor’s office then you need to have a list of things that you want to know as well as being aware of the things that they may want to know.
- Current medications and prescribing physicians
- Past surgeries
- Recent test results if you have any
- Past records for more serious health-related issues.
While it is a physical exam there may be a depression screening questionnaire. Be aware that your mental health can have a huge impact on your physical health and be honest.
It is important to build a relationship with your physician and his team. If you feel like your doctor is not a good fit, you can request a different doctor. Do not let that be a reason not to go.
While it is impractical to rush to the doctor for everything you are unsure of if you are concerned you should go with your gut. Your health is important and a simple, non-invasive physical exam checks on a lot of things that may be missed otherwise.
Looking for a healthcare provider, contact us today, online or by phone at 202-525-5175. We are here for you!
