All Your Questions Answered
A physical exam is a vital part of your routine health care, serving as an overall health check that monitors any chronic or acute conditions you may have.
Your physical exam may also involve screening tests or procedures to look for signs of preventable diseases, such as hypertension or diabetes. Many chronic diseases fail to manifest noticeable symptoms before they cause significant health emergencies. Yet with regular screenings, you can catch these conditions in their early stages.
You also have the opportunity to talk to your doctor about any issues or concerns. They may administer immunizations and discuss healthy habits, like eating right and exercising regularly.
Your overall health, including any conditions you have and your age, determine how often you need a physical exam. If you’re between the ages of 18-60 and in good health, you may only need a yearly physical exam.
If you have a chronic condition like hypertension or a thyroid disorder, Dr. Bland may want to see you more often to monitor your symptoms or track disease progression. If you’ve recently started a medication or changed dosages, she’ll want to see you within a few months to assess how the changes are affecting you.