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What to Expect After Your Physical Exam
Your physical exam establishes your health baseline. It offers you peace of mind about potential health concerns and is a safe space to ask any nagging questions and make sure you’re on the right path regarding your well-being. Preventive care is always the best idea.
After your physical exam, you can go about your day, knowing you’ve done something good for yourself. At Healthy Life Family Medicine, John Monroe, MD in Goodyear, Arizona, evaluates and discusses your health during your physical and shares recommendations.
These recommendations may include lifestyle changes, follow-up evaluations, or new prescriptions.
What happens during a physical exam?
Dr. Monroe discusses your medical history with you. Genetics and lifestyle play a role in current and future health. He then assesses:
- Your skin
- Your eyes and ears
- Your nose and mouth
- Your heart
- Your lungs
- Your nervous system
- Your mental health
Additionally, there are gender-specific checkups too. For example, men have their prostate checked, while women benefit from annual breast exams and Pap smears.
Your physical exam follow-up
Dr. Monroe examines your bloodwork and any other lab tests for insights into the state of your health. Blood tests can reveal important information about your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Urine tests can indicate the health of your kidneys and other bodily functions.
He may recommend MRIs, ultrasounds, or other diagnostic tests for a more detailed look at the inner workings of your body that aren’t visible to the eye. These tests can show fractures, potential organ problems, tumors, or other inner workings.
Follow-up appointments
Sometimes, Dr. Monroe suggests that you seek more specialized information from providers such as cardiologists, gastroenterologists, or others. These specialists can lend their expertise and additional testing to help uncover potential problems early.
Follow your health plan
Perhaps the most important step after your physical is following your personalized health plan. Based on your medical history and condition, Dr. Monroe recommends diet, exercise, nutrition, and other healthy lifestyle adjustments.
For example, if you have high cholesterol, Dr. Monroe will recommend lifestyle changes and possibly medication to control it. If you’re at risk for hypertension, diabetes, or other chronic diseases, it’s possible you may be able to ward them off with diet and exercise.
The crux of physical exams is prevention and managing chronic issues. You benefit when you address potential health concerns and use your annual physical to monitor your health and track your health goals.
If you’re in Goodyear, Arizona, you can make an appointment with Dr. Monroe for your next physical exam. Take ownership of your health and make your appointment by phone, or you can book online.
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