Importance of Annual Wellness Exams - Part 1, 2, 3 and 4

Importance of Annual Wellness Exams
Join me each week to learn more about the importance of annual wellness exams, what to expect and how to prepare to ensure you receive the best possible care. 

Part 1 – Preparing for Your Exam

An annual wellness exam is one of the best ways to maintain your health. Visiting your doctor’s office each year allows your physician to discuss potential illnesses and health concerns before they become serious, like diabetes or high cholesterol, while offering ways to improve your nutrition and lifestyle. Wellness exams can also provide the assurance that you are healthy and doing well.

To ensure the physician can make a complete analysis of your health, it is important that you provide specific information regarding your medication use and family history.

Be prepared before you arrive.
• Bring a list of any medications you take regularly with dosages. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements.
• Expect to update any family history that is new or pertains to your health.

Be prepared to discuss the following:
• Exercise habits
• Diet and nutrition
• Lifestyle habits, such as smoking
• Vaccination history.

Part 2 – Male and Female Wellness Exams

During an annual exam, your physician will conduct a series of health checks, including the following.

Vital signs such as:
•    Blood pressure
•    Heart rate
•    Respiration rate
•    Temperature.

During the examination, the physician also might:
•    Check your heart and lungs using a stethoscope
•    Examin your skin, nervous system, abdominal region, genitals, extremities, head, eyes, ears, nose, throat and mouth.

Male Physical Exams
An annual exam for a male should include testicular, hernia, penis and prostate exams, depending on your age. There may be male-specific lab tests done, including the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test to screen for prostate cancer.

Female Physical Exams
A female’s annual exam should include a breast and pelvic check. A Pap smear might also be done to check for cervical cancer, depending on your age and medical history. The doctor may also ask that you have a mammogram completed. 

Part 3 – Possible Blood Tests During Your Exam

During an annual wellness exam, your physician may request a certain blood test to help better assess your health status. Blood tests will vary based on your age, gender, any chronic medical diagnosis and family history.

Tests may include:

• Lipid profile – This test determines the amount of cholesterol in your blood. Those with high cholesterol are at risk for heart disease. Cholesterol levels are managed by eating a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fats along with medication.
• Fasting blood glucose – High levels of blood glucose (sugar) in your blood stream can put you at risk for diabetes. This test is taken after you have fasted for at least eight hours. 
• Thyroid testing – The thyroid makes hormones that control how your body uses energy. This test is performed to see how well the thyroid gland is working.
• Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) – This screening can detect prostate cancer or prostatitis, a non-cancerous condition of an enlarged prostate.
• Vitamin D level – Low levels of vitamin D have been attributed to increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, impaired cognition in older adults, asthma and cancer. The body produces vitamin D from exposure to sunlight and can also be found in certain foods, including fish and egg yolks.

Part 4 - Physical Exam Facts

There are particular screenings that should be performed at varying milestones in your life. These tests are focused on prevention of certain cancers, so please talk with your doctor at your annual exam about appropriate screenings.

• Age 50 - Screening for colorectal cancer should begin around age 50. People with immediate family members with colorectal cancer may need to be screened at an earlier age.
• Age 40 – At this age, most women should begin annual mammogram screenings for breast cancer.
• Age 18 - Every woman should have an annual physical with a primary care physician once they turn 18-years-old.

Multiple Appointments
The goal of an annual physical exam is to review your general health. If you have complex, chronic medical conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease, a series of appointments may be necessary to more effectively monitor your health. 

No matter your age or health condition, it is important to visit your primary care physician for a wellness exam annually. These check ups allow your physician to evaluate any changes from year to year, helping to prevent minor health concerns from becoming chronic conditions.

Are you looking for a primary care physician? Shawnee Mission Primary Care has six Johnson County locations, many with same-day appointments. Click here for more information.