New Year, New You: Time for Your Yearly Physical

If you think that a yearly physical is something that your kids need, you wouldn’t be wrong. You would, however, have given a partial answer. Annual exams are something that everyone can benefit from, and can be an effective way to identify outstanding concerns that need addressing in the year to come. If you’ve let the first week of the new year pass without scheduling a yearly physical, don’t hesitate to do so today. Has it been so long since you’ve had a physical you don’t remember what’s involved, never fear! We’ll walk you through it, so you know what to expect!

What To Expect

At the beginning of any visit to your physician, you can expect to have your vitals taken. Blood pressure, pulse rate, blood oxygen levels, and more are recorded during your intake. These fundamental indicators can often reveal that there are problems occurring, but they aren’t informative enough to give clear information about what. A full physical involves nerve testing, an inspection of extremities and the abdomen, and examining skin blemishes and balance that can indicate coming trouble. Blood screens are often a standard part of this procedure, revealing irregularities in cholesterol levels.

There are No Age Limits On Getting A Physical

Not only are physicals not just for kids, but they also become more critical as you get older. As time goes on, everyone experiences age-related changes that can be avoided or eased through preventative testing. Testing, including prostate exams, mammograms, and colonoscopies, are just a few of the things that can help catch cancers while they’re still treatable. This is only one of the medical concerns that getting regular physicals can help prevent.

Standard Tests Performed During A Yearly Physical

There are a few standard tests performed during a yearly physical, including:

• Blood Pressure: A pressure cuff, officially known as a sphygmomanometer, is used to take a blood pressure reading. Results of under 120 over 80 are considered normal and healthy findings.

• Heart Rates: Pulse rates are taken to determine if there are any concerns with your heart resulting in abnormal rates. It is common for your resting heart rate to come in between 60 and 100. Exceptionally healthy people may have rates under 60.

• Breathing Rate: The average adult breathes 12-16 times every minute. Rates in excess of 20 are indicative of issues with the heart or lung.

• Temperature: The average body temperature of a healthy human is 98.6, though those in excellent health may have rates above or below this value.

If you haven’t had a physical in a few years, or you haven’t taken the time to schedule your 2020 physical, it’s time to change that. With a call to Dr. Sam Olu Faleye at the Primehealth Medical Center in Memphis, TN, you’ll be able to get a clear view of your current health and know what you need to address in the year to come. Please don’t wait to schedule your yearly physical; it could literally save your life.