New Year, New You: 3 Reasons to Schedule Your Annual Physical

Every new year, millions of people resolve to improve their lives, a commitment that often involves becoming healthier. Research shows that among the most common resolutions are eating better, exercising more, and losing weight.

If better health is on your to-do list, you should also resolve to get your annual physical.

Dr. Temeka Johnson and the dedicated medical staff here at Quality Health Source in Mableton, Georgia, understand that getting healthier starts with a medical exam. Our team offers annual physicals and other services to help our patients enjoy optimal health.

The importance of physical exams

Think of your annual exam as a health report card. We conduct a series of screenings and other tests to create a picture of your health. If you’ve never had a physical or had them infrequently, these exams give us a baseline to assess changes in your health in the future.

We recommend physicals for all ages, but they’re more critical with age, especially for people over 50. 

What to expect

A comprehensive annual physical has multiple components, and your exam may include:

Vital signs

We record measurements such as height, weight, and blood pressure. 

Medical history

We discuss any previous medical problems, current issues, and your family’s medical history.

Medications

Bring with you a list of any medications and/or supplements you take. If we need to prescribe medication, we don’t want it to interact negatively with something you already take.

Palpations

This is the literal physical examination, when we feel areas of your body for abnormalities and pain, and also test reflexes.

Medical imaging

In some cases, we may recommend additional testing, such as X-rays, CAT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds, to identify illness or injury.

Blood and urine screening

These screenings give us a reading on such things as cholesterol, kidney health, and possible infection.

Reasons to schedule an annual physical

Annual exams help us:

1.Stay ahead of medical conditions

Regular yearly testing not only helps your provider assess your current health, but also detects or prevents medical problems before they become serious threats.

2.Deal with health changes

If you were the picture of health last year but things have changed due to illness or injury, we can ensure you receive appropriate treatment.

3.Refer you to a specialist

We can help you manage chronic conditions, but if your exam or additional testing reveals a medical problem we can’t treat, we can refer you to a specialist for timely care. 

By all means, get in shape, shed some pounds, and improve your diet, but also resolve to visit us every year for your physical. 

To schedule your exam or consult with us on another issue, make an appointment by phone or online with the team at Quality Health Source today.