- 08/01/2022
10 Questions to Ask at Your Annual Physical Exam
Your annual physical exam gives you and your doctor the chance to talk about your health concerns. You can get screened for potential conditions and come up with a strategy to better your health and wellness. It’s crucial not to miss your annual check-up even if you’re feeling fine and haven’t had any health issues.
An annual physical exam is a preventative measure that enables early detection and addressing health concerns that could otherwise turn into major illnesses. Primary healthcare physicians can also assist you in living a better and healthier life.
As you grow older, health checks become increasingly important. You are at higher risk of developing chronic conditions or challenging illnesses. Preventive health care checks can lessen your chances with timely preventive screenings, treatments and immunization protocols.
Aside from taking prescribed physical exams and tests, discussing your health with your primary care provider (PCP) is an essential part of your treatment. Your appointment is an opportunity to build a connection with your primary care provider. Having this trust will make it easy to share your health problems and reach out any time.
Asking specific questions to your primary care provider will enable you to:
- Be well informed about your health status
- Understand the need for any corrective measures
- Grasp what can be done for consistent, long term health
- Talk about health issues, getting information about medical issues, tests, & prescription regimen.
Here are the top 10 questions to ask your doctor at your next appointment to help you get the most out of your time with them.
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Are all my vital signs normal?
This is to ascertain if all parameters are within normal limits. Ask about your BMI, pulse rate, and blood pressure. If there were any additional tests prescribed by your doctor, talk about their results too. The understanding of these results will help understand your health status accurately.
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Is my health better, worse or the same since my last visit?
Speak about the differences between your current health report and previous one. This will help you in figuring out your correct choices. This will also help you figure out if the regimen you followed since your last health check was effective or not.
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What should I know about my medications?
If your doctor prescribes new medication, inquire about any potential adverse effects or reactions with your current medication. Make sure you understand how frequently and for how long you should take each medicine. Ask your doctor about alternatives if you’re concerned about the costs of medicines.
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What vaccinations do I need?
Your immune system weakens as you age, making it more difficult for your body to fight infections. As a result, diseases including the flu, pneumonia, and shingles are more common in the elderly. Long-term disease, hospitalization, and even death might result from complications caused by these disorders. Your doctor may recommend certain immunizations to lower your risk based on your lifestyle and other risk factors.
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Would you recommend any additional screenings?
On the basis of your age and other risk factors, your doctor may recommend additional screenings. For women, your doctor may suggest breast or cervical cancer screenings. Prostate cancer screenings are advised for men. Tell your doctor if you have a personal or family history of certain cancers or disorders because this could raise your risk factors.
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How should I take care of my health between now and my next visit?
Inquire about the best follow-up schedule for you with your doctor. Depending on your current health or risk factors, your doctor may want to visit you sooner or more frequently than once a year. Also, be careful to inquire about what to do if you have a sudden illness or symptoms. For minor health issues, your primary care provider may be able to see you if you request an urgent appointment, allowing you to avoid the emergency department in a hospital.
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Given my personal and family medical history, do I have a higher than normal risk for certain illnesses?
Evaluate your family medical history with your doctor. Inform him whether any of your grandparents, parents, or siblings have had heart attacks, breast or prostate cancer, or any other disease which can be hereditary in nature. Figure out a preventive care plan with your doctor based on your current health status. Find out if you should add any additional screening tests to your annual physical due to your family medical history.
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Are my bowel movements normal?
This question may be awkward, but you must ask your provider what to do if you’re having inconsistent or irregular bowel movements, especially if they’re uncomfortable or include blood.
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What are the best ways I can maintain my health or manage my condition?
You and your doctor should discuss what you need to do in your everyday life to keep healthy, from dietary choices to lifestyle considerations. Many factors influence your health. This includes your food habits, lifestyle, exercise choices, and so on. Consult your doctor for the best advice.
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Will I need a follow-up exam before the year is up?
Depending on your current health or risk factors, your doctor may want to visit sooner or more frequently than once a year. Also, be careful to inquire about what to do if you have a sudden illness. For minor conditions, your primary care provider may be able to see you for urgent appointments, allowing you to avoid the emergency department of a hospital.
Summing it up
By the time you walk into your doctor’s office, you may forget what you wanted to talk about with your doctor, so go in prepared. Make a list of any questions you have and rank them according to their importance. Take notes and ask follow-up questions when you meet the doctor to ensure you understand everything that is being discussed. If you require additional or very specific information, inquire with your provider about where you might obtain it. Remember that your yearly physical check gives you and your primary care provider the chance to develop a joint strategy to improve your overall and long-term health and wellness.
At Phoenix American Health Care Centers, you can get primary care services, wellness services, and dental care services all under one roof. Get your annual physical exam by the geriatric experts and receive personalized follow-up plans. Schedule an appointment by calling at 877-547-1840 now!
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