HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE PHYSICALS?

Most people know it’s important to have a physical exam to help them stay healthy. But what’s less clear is how often you need an exam, especially when you feel fine.

Danette J. Joseph, MD, and the Three Angels Family Practice & Wellness Center team recommend annual physical exams for adults and kids in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Here’s why you (and your child) need to have a yearly physical and what to expect during your visit.

WHY ANNUAL PHYSICALS ARE IMPORTANT

There are several reasons why having yearly physicals is beneficial, but perhaps the most straightforward explanation is this: Your health changes all the time, and so do your health needs. A yearly physical ensures you do all you can to maintain your health, even as those needs change.

Annual physicals enable Dr. Joseph to keep an ongoing record of your health data, allowing her to spot even the subtlest changes that could indicate a need for additional testing or treatment. Some serious medical problems, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, cause few noticeable symptoms until a severe event occurs.

Annual physicals check for these and other hard-to-spot problems so that they can be treated proactively. Another benefit of early treatment: It’s much less costly to prevent a disease than to play “catch-up” with the condition already well underway.

Seeing Dr. Joseph yearly also allows you to develop a rapport with her and her team. When you trust your doctor, it’s much easier to share your concerns — even personal ones — so you can get the care you need, along with greater peace of mind.

OTHER TYPES OF PHYSICALS

Annual physicals are important for monitoring your overall health and wellness over the years; however, there are other types of physicals — exams that don’t necessarily need to be completed yearly. They include sports and school physicals for your kids, employment physicals that may be required for your job or a job you’re applying for, and physicals needed by insurance companies.

Some jobs, like commercial truck driving, also require special physicals. These “special purpose” physicals have their requirements regarding when and how often they need to be completed.

HERE’S WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ANNUAL PHYSICAL

Annual physicals begin with a review of any symptoms or concerns you have and a quick review of your health issues over the year since your last annual physical. Next, come measurements of your weight and your blood pressure.

During your exam, Dr. Joseph listens to your heart and lungs, checks your reflexes, gently palpates your neck, checks your ears and throat, and performs other general evaluations based on your age and other factors. She also performs gender-specific exams for women and men to monitor for cancers and other issues.

Your exam provides an ideal opportunity to talk to Dr. Joseph about your health and wellness concerns. That includes physical health issues and issues affecting your emotional wellness, like feelings of depression or anxiety.

Once the evaluation is done, Dr. Joseph may order blood tests, urinalysis, or diagnostic imaging to provide additional information about your health. She also advises about vaccinations, sexually transmitted disease testing, medical screenings, and other wellness steps based on your risk factors. If she feels you might benefit from seeing a specialist, she also makes that recommendation.

TIME TO SCHEDULE YOUR ANNUAL PHYSICAL

Scheduling an annual physical is a great way to get a head start on your healthy New Year’s resolutions. It’s also a great way to prioritize your needs and take an important step toward better wellness overall.

To schedule an annual physical for yourself, your child, or another loved one, call (717) 298-1268 or book an appointment online with Three Angels Family Practice & Wellness Center today.