When you visit a doctor for a physical exam, the doctor will typically take a detailed medical history and perform a thorough physical assessment to evaluate your overall health and identify any potential health issues. Based on the results of your physical exam Fort Worth, your doctor may recommend additional tests or screenings, such as blood tests, imaging studies, or other diagnostic tests, to further evaluate your health or diagnose any potential health issues.
During the physical exam, the doctor may:
- Examine your head and neck, including your eyes, ears, nose, throat, and lymph nodes.
- Palpate your abdomen to check for any signs of discomfort or pain and to evaluate the size and texture of organs such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys.
- Perform a genital exam, which may involve a visual inspection of the genitals and a pelvic exam in women or a testicular exam in men.
- Conduct a neurological exam, including evaluating your reflexes, coordination, and sensation in your arms and legs.
It is important, to be honest with your doctor and to provide accurate information about your medical history and any symptoms or concerns you may have. This can help the doctor give a more accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatments or preventive measures to help you maintain good health.
Below find health screenings to expect from a physical exam:
Colon cancer screening
Colon cancer screening looks for cancer or precancerous growths in the colon. A colonoscopy is a screening procedure that uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light to examine the inside of the colon.
During a colonoscopy, the doctor can remove any discovered polyps, aiding colon cancer prevention. Screening is usually recommended for people over 50 at average risk of colon cancer, though the timing and frequency may vary depending on individual risk factors and family history.
Allergy testing
It is a type of diagnostic testing used to determine the specific substances that cause an allergic reaction in a person. Allergy testing is performed when a person experiences allergic reaction symptoms such as hives, itching, runny nose, watery eyes, or difficulty breathing in response to a specific substance.
Once the allergen has been identified, the allergist can create a personalized treatment plan to manage the allergy symptoms, which may include avoidance of the allergen, medication, or immunotherapy (allergy shots).
Blood sugar check
A blood sugar check is a type of health screening in which the blood glucose level is measured. This screening is usually done to check for diabetes, a chronic condition in which the body has trouble regulating blood sugar levels.
A small sample of blood is drawn, typically from a vein in the arm, and the glucose level in the blood is measured. The results can tell if you have normal blood sugar levels, pre-diabetes, or diabetes.
High blood sugar levels can cause long-term damage to various organs in the body, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and cardiovascular system, so blood sugar screening is an important part of preventive healthcare. The early detection and treatment of high blood sugar levels can save lives.
Consult your doctor at Clover Internal Medicine in Fort Worth to learn more about physical exams.
