A physical examination, or “physical” for short, is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your health. During a physical exam, a health care provider assesses your overall health and check for any potential health issues. At C3 Cares, we care about our community’s overall health and prioritize preventive healthcare and physical exams.Keep reading to learn ten reasons why it’s important to get a physical exam at least once every year.
1. To Evaluate Your Overall Health
One of the most important reasons to get a physical exam is to check for health problems. Many health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, have no symptoms until they have caused serious issues like a heart attack, so you may not know you have them unless you get tested. A physical exam can help to find these problems early, when they are easier to treat.
2. To Get Vaccinated
Another reason to get a physical exam is to make sure you are up to date on your vaccinations. Vaccinations can protect you from dangerousdiseases such as whooping cough, tetanus, influenza and more. A physical exam is a good opportunity to get up to date on vaccines that may help prevent serious illness.
3. To Screen for Cancer
A physical exam can also help to screen for cancer. There are many different tests that screen for cancer, such as a Pap smear, physical breast examination, prostate examination, and colonoscopy. Performing these tests annually increases the chance of finding cancer in its early stages, which is when it is most treatable.
4. To Update Your Medications
Physical exams are not just about looking at your physique – it’s also an opportunity to adjust your medications if necessary. If you take medication for a chronic condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, a physical exam every year can help ensure that the medication is still working properly. As you age, your condition may change, soyou may need an adjustment to your dosage or a different medication. Physical exams are a great opportunity for healthcare providers to make changes to your medication regimen so that you feel your best.
5. To Check Your Hearing and Vision
As we get older, our hearing and vision often decline. A physical exam can help to assess your hearing and vision and determine if you need treatment. Detection of various ear and eye problems early protects you from complications. For example, early treatment of cataracts (cloudinessin the eye) is necessary to prevent severe complications like vision loss.
6. To Check Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels
As mentioned earlier, physicals are great for catching many diseases early on. For instance, high blood pressure and cholesterol are risk factors for heart disease, so it’s important to have them checked on a regular basis. A simple blood test can be used to check your cholesterol levels. Once your provider knows your cholesterol levels, they can recommend lifestyle changes or medication if necessary.
7. To Prevent Injuries
A physical exam can also help to prevent injuries by identifying any problems that could lead to an injury. For example, if you have weak muscles or poor balance, you may be at risk for falls. At C3 Cares, our nurse practitioners can provide you with exercises or referrals to therapy that can help improve these conditions and reduce your risk of injury.
8. Monitor Growth and Weight
For children, regular physicals are key in monitoring growth milestones including height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). This allows doctors to ensure that kids are growing up healthy and strong according to their age-specific guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Weight is also an important indicator of overall health in adults, so it is important to monitor it over time. During a physical exam, our nurse practitionerswill weigh you and calculate your body mass index (BMI). If you are overweight or obese, they may recommend lifestyle changes or weight loss surgery.
9. To Assess Your Risk of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak and fragile. It is more common in women over the age of 50, but men can also be affected. A physical exam can help to assess your risk of osteoporosis and determine if you need further testing or treatment.
10. Identify Lifestyle Habits That Need to Be Changed
During your physical, your nurse practitioner will not only take measurements but also ask you questions about your diet habits and exercise routine. Daily habits and nutrition have a huge impact on overall health, so your provider will ask questions to determine if there’s anything you should change to improve your health. Getting this kind of feedback from an expert can help motivate someone who might otherwise struggle with self-discipline when it comes maintaining healthy habits on their own.
Comprehensive Annual Physicals in Washington, D.C.
A yearly physical examination is an essential part of keeping yourself healthy throughout life—not only does it allow your healthcare provider todetect potential problems early on, but it also provides an opportunity for you to track and stay up to date with yourhealth.
At C3 Cares, we recognize the importance of annual physicals. We offer them for adults and children, as well as specialty physicals for school, camp, or sports. Our nurse practitioners care about each patient’s overall health and provide individualized care for each patient’s needs.
If are in the Washington, D.C. area and need a physical exam, call us today at (202) 888-6440 or email us at info@c3cares.com. We look forward to getting you on the road to long-term wellness!
