Tips To Prepare Yourself Before A Physical Health Check-up

A physical health check-up, generally called a physical exam or a physical, is a routine test done by a healthcare professional to inspect your body through different tests and determine if you have any possible medical problems. It gives you knowledge about your overall health and is considered to be one of the most vital parts of a doctor’s visit.

There are things to be considered before you go in for a physical. Below are some tips to help you prepare for a physical exam. To know more about what happens during a physical exam, contact an expert for spring annual exams today.

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Tips to prepare yourself before a physical health check-up

Schedule an appointment for your physical

Schedule an appointment for your physical with your healthcare provider. If you do not already have one, you can contact your health insurance company to provide you with a list of available healthcare providers.

Fast before your physical

While most patients do not need to, if you’re going in for a blood test, you will be asked to fast for a certain amount of time before your appointment.

Make a list of your medications

Be sure to prepare a list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you take daily. If you are being prescribed medicines by other providers, you should also mention that in the list.

Be prepared to ask a lot of questions

Writing down any questions you might have beforehand can help you avoid forgetting them. Write down your list of concerns and symptoms that you want to discuss with your doctor, even the embarrassing ones, to fully understand what you and your doctor can do to help your body. The questions can be about your physical and mental health, such as:

Why do I feel so weak all the time?
Why am I always tired?
Why am I often stressed and anxious?

Be prepared to share your medical history

Knowing about your medical history is very important for your provider to assess your overall health appropriately. Discuss any medical conditions you have had, especially chronic conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.

Also, tell them about symptoms of injury or acute illness if you are experiencing any. This gives your provider an idea of what types of health screenings you may need and what to look out for in the future.

Dress appropriately

During physicals, patients are gowned, so they are advised to avoid hard-to-remove clothing for the convenience of both the doctor and the patient. Make sure to dress appropriately.