The physical—an awkward occurrence that, unless you were heavily involved in sports, you might have avoided. There are two types of physicals and several reasons why they are important to your health. They typically serve as either reassurance that you are in good health or as a warning system to detect problems before they become serious. They also allow your doctor to learn more about your health. How to do the annual physical exam for woman?
Exams of Two Kinds
For women, there are two types of physicals: well-woman exams and standard physicals. Based on your specific health needs, the basic physical can be as brief or as thorough as your doctor deems necessary. It includes routine vitals checks such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and temperature. In addition, your doctor may examine your abdomen, extremities, and skin for signs of health changes.
A standard physical exam’s goal is to detect any health changes before they become serious, as well as to check your overall health. They are typically performed once a year on women of all ages, particularly those who are heavily involved in athletic activity. Some athletic organisations require athletes to have regular physicals to ensure they are in good health before competing. You should consult Mcgowan Family Health and Wellness Center for annual check up.
The well-woman exam differs from a standard physical in that it is solely concerned with the reproductive process. This exam is divided into four sections:
Physical and Basic History
Because your doctor will want to understand your previous medical history and any current ailments, this section will be similar to a basic physical. It will take your height, weight, blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and breathing rate. This part of the exam will look at your overall health and identify any potential problems.
Breast Examination
A basic breast exam will also be performed to check for lumps or other unusual occurrences. This is an important part of the exam, and your doctor should also teach you how to perform self-breast exams at home.
Pelvic Exam (Optional)
This section of the exam is important, but it is optional. Through a pap smear or swab, your doctor will examine your uterus, vagina, ovaries, vulva, and cervix for signs of cancer or other ailments. The swab is tested, and the results are usually available within a few weeks. Because most cancers develop slowly, pap smears should be performed on a yearly basis.
Counselling for Contraception and Menopause
The final component of the well-woman exam is determined by your age and sexual activity. Contraception counselling will be provided to the majority of people under the age of 45. This includes discussing the various birth control options with your doctor, though contraception is optional. Menopause counselling, which is typically provided to women over the age of 40, includes discussions about preparing for the onset of menopause. While this is an optional step, it is intended to provide a better understanding of the health benefits and risks.
Physicals and well-woman exams are appropriate for women of any age, though pap smears are only recommended for women over 21. Your doctor may perform slight variations in these exam procedures based on your individual health needs, but the results should be the same: a detailed report on your health.
What Happens At a Physical For a Woman
Each appointment is tailored to the doctor and the patient.
“We do a basic exam on everyone.”But there are some specific things we adjust based on each patient.” We discusses what you can expect from your annual physical.
The vital signs
A medical professional will weigh you, measure you, and take your blood pressure and pulse — sometimes multiple times to be sure.
“If someone has a history of abnormal blood pressure, We sometimes check it again, even if the nurse has already done it.”
Examine Each Organ System
Prepare to answer your doctor’s questions about your body — and, while the questions may appear random, trust that they are asked with purpose.
“I like to go through each organ system and ask questions that may elicit reminders and responses, such as, “Are you experiencing any chest pains or shortness of breath?” How dark is your urine? “Do you have any odd moles?” Dr. Allan claims, “‘Oh, yeah, I forgot,’ some people say. ‘I have that!'”
Complete Examination
During your general examination, your doctor will almost certainly:
- Take your temperature.
- Pay attention to your heart and lungs.
- Examine your mouth and ears.
- Examine your lymph nodes.
- Look at your skin.
- Examine your extremities for swelling.
- Perform a breast exam.
Depending on your age and medical history, they may also do more
“We tailor the exam to the patient, “For example, if my patient is in their forties or older, We’ll listen to their carotid artery for stenosis or plaque buildup — something We wouldn’t do for a healthy 21-year-old getting a pre-employment physical.”
Questions That Your Doctor May Ask
This appointment is an opportunity for you to communicate with your doctor, so they will most likely ask you some questions designed to get you to open up.
“We start with an open-ended approach to give patients a chance to voice any issues, concerns, or questions they have.”
While not all doctors take this approach, you should expect to discuss some of the following topics and questions:
Substance Abuse and Addiction
It may be tempting to stretch the truth, but your doctor isn’t here to pass judgment. Be open and honest with your doctor about your alcohol and tobacco use, including frequency and any perceived problems.
Ancestral history
Getting a physical is a part of preparing for a healthy future, which includes monitoring your genetic predisposition to medical issues. Inform your provider if your mother has high cholesterol or if your brother has recently been diagnosed with cancer.
“We keep a problem list for each patient.” “Where we keep track of family health issues.” “That way, when the patient arrives, we can go over the list and address anything we know we need to keep an eye on.”
Contact Us Right Away!
Contact us today to schedule your next Woman’s exam for more information. Mcgowan Family Health and Wellness Centre offer annual physical exam. A woman can also get an annual physical; For assistance, you can call us anytime at (708) 480 9730.
