{"id":138,"date":"2008-12-01T12:00:41","date_gmt":"2008-12-01T12:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ehealth.cooperhealth.org\/?p=138"},"modified":"2008-12-01T12:00:41","modified_gmt":"2008-12-01T12:00:41","slug":"new-years-check-up-checklist-things-to-consider-before-your-annual-medical-exam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2008\/12\/01\/new-years-check-up-checklist-things-to-consider-before-your-annual-medical-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year\u2019s Check-Up Checklist: Things to Consider Before Your Annual Medical Exam"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>With the New Year approaching, now is a good time to start thinking about your annual medical check-up.<\/p>\n

“Getting an annual physical is one of the many things you can do for yourself to help stay healthy and prevent disease and disability,\u201d said Dyanne P. Westerberg, D.O., Chief of Cooper\u2019s Department of Family Medicine.<\/p>\n

Typically, annual physicals are age-related and differ for women and men, but standard physicals usually include blood tests to check levels of blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), glucose (blood sugars) and electrolytes (mineral balance), as well as complete blood counts (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets), and kidney, liver and thyroid function.<\/p>\n

Also included is a physical assessment by your doctor, such as a skin and mole check, a neck exam for carotid pulses and swollen lymph nodes, and a check of extremities for blood flow restrictions and swelling.<\/p>\n

Depending on your age and cardiovascular risk, an electrocardiogram is recommended every 5 years, and a chest x-ray is recommended every 3 years if you smoke.<\/p>\n

Other tests, including cancer screenings, can also be part of your annual physical. These tests vary by age and gender but can include colon cancer screenings, a Pap smear, mammogram, and a digital rectal examination of the prostate with prostate specific antigen testing.<\/p>\n

Your annual physical also is a good time to talk with your doctor about other preventative health matters, such as smoking cessation, weight reduction and stress management.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s best for people to be prepared for their annual visit by having information ready and knowing what they want to discuss with their doctor before they arrive,\u201d Dr. Westerberg said.<\/p>\n

Dr. Westerberg cautions, however, that some health insurance plans do not cover annual physicals. \u201cBe sure to check with your health insurance carrier first to make sure annual physicals and preventative services are covered under your plan,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Also, Dr. Westerberg noted that patients who visit their doctor regularly, such as those who see their doctor every two months for diabetes or cholesterol control, typically don\u2019t have to schedule annual physicals because they can discuss during their regular visits other health issues that arise.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if a person doesn\u2019t see a physician regularly, he or she should definitely come in for a check-up, especially to work on health-maintenance issues or preventative medicine issues,\u201d Dr. Westerberg said.<\/p>\n

In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cooper\u2019s Family Medicine physicians recommend doing these four things before your next medical check-up:<\/p>\n

Review your family health history<\/h2>\n

Are there any new conditions or diseases that have occurred in your close relatives since your last visit? If so, let your doctor know. Family history might influence your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes or cancer. Your doctor will assess your risk of disease based on your family history and other factors. Your doctor may also recommend things you can do to help prevent disease, such as exercising more, changing your diet, or using screening tests to help detect disease early.<\/p>\n

Find out if you\u2019re due for any general screenings or vaccinations<\/h2>\n

Have you had the recommended screening tests based on your age, general health, family history and lifestyle? Check with your doctor to see if it\u2019s time for any vaccinations, follow-up exams or tests. For example, it might be time for you to get a Pap test, mammogram, prostate cancer screening, colon cancer screening, sexually transmitted disease screening, blood pressure check, tetanus shot, eye check or other screening.<\/p>\n

Write down a list of issues and questions to take with you<\/h2>\n

Review any existing health problems and note any changes. Have you noticed any body changes, including lumps or skin changes? Are you having pain, dizziness, fatigue, problems with urine or stool, or menstrual cycle changes? Have your eating habits changed? Are you experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, distress or sleeping problems? If so, note when the change began, how it\u2019s different from before, and any other observation that you think might be helpful. Be honest with your doctor. If you haven\u2019t been taking your medication as directed, exercising as much, or anything else, say so. You may be at risk for certain diseases and conditions because of how you live, work and play. Your doctor develops a plan based partly on what you say you do. Help ensure that you get the best guidance by providing the most up-to-date and accurate information about you. Be sure to write your questions down beforehand. Once you\u2019re in the office or exam room, it can be hard to remember everything you want to review. Leave room between questions to write down your provider\u2019s answers.<\/p>\n

Consider your future<\/h2>\n

Are there specific health issues that need addressing concerning your future? Are you thinking about having infertility treatment, losing weight, taking a hazardous job or quitting smoking? Discuss any issues with your doctor so that you can make better decisions regarding your health and safety.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the New Year approaching, now is a good time to start thinking about your annual medical check-up. “Getting an annual physical is one of the many things you can do for yourself to help stay healthy and prevent disease and disability,\u201d said Dyanne P. Westerberg, D.O., Chief of Cooper\u2019s Department of Family Medicine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[39,41,119],"class_list":{"0":"entry","1":"post","2":"publish","3":"author-admin","4":"has-excerpt","5":"has-more-link","6":"post-138","8":"format-standard","9":"category-ehealth-connection","10":"post_tag-annual-exam","11":"post_tag-annual-physical","12":"post_tag-check-up"},"yoast_head":"\nNew Year\u2019s Check-Up Checklist: Things to Consider Before Your Annual Medical Exam - eHealth Connection<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2008\/12\/01\/new-years-check-up-checklist-things-to-consider-before-your-annual-medical-exam\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"New Year\u2019s Check-Up Checklist: Things to Consider Before Your Annual Medical Exam - eHealth Connection\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"With the New Year approaching, now is a good time to start thinking about your annual medical check-up. 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