The routine physical exam from a doctor or at a health clinic is a way to find out about the state of your health. It allows you to ask your doctor questions. It helps you find out if you have a health problem you don't know about. Some diseases like high blood pressure and some cancers may not have any symptoms in the early stages. Tests your doctor does can help detect these. Check the chart Common Health Tests & How Often to Have Them for when health tests and checkups are recommended.
The basic parts of a checkup are:
A complete medical history
(questions on family health history, previous illness, emotional well-being)
A check on how well body organs are
functioning (eyes, ears, heart, skin, bowels, etc.)
Checking the vital signs (blood pressure,
pulse, breathing rate, temperature)
Actual body examination (listening,
thumping and looking at specific body parts)
Routine diagnostic tests (blood tests,
X-rays, etc.)
A check of specific health concerns
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99