Annual physica examl (Read 723 times)

Sorry - subject should be: Annual physical exam...

The critical things in an annual men's physical include - - assessment for hypertension = check blood pressure - assessment for hyperlipidemia = check LDL/HDL/Triglycerides - assessment for diabetes = specific questions asked about symptoms and family history, possibly a fasting glucose Routine checks of blood counts, thyroid, prostate in absence of symptoms or family history are not usually helpful. Ditto EKG. If you have specific concerns about your heart, a stress test is a better way to go. With age, certain tests are added - - colonoscopy around age 50, younger if there is a family history, then repeated on a varying schedule - prostate exams around age 40-50, younger if there is a family history, then repeated on a varying schedule - annual chest xrays if you smoke and are older than 40-50 Checking an EKG or Chest Xray without reason is wasteful and can lead to unnecessary procedures (they may see a shadow, not know what it is, then you get a needless lung biopsy you would not have gotten otherwise, then your lung collapses and you spend a week in the ICU on a respirator...happens) There are many many other things that need to be checked in given situations. Make sure to discuss this with your doc. Also, consider getting your tetanus and pertussus shot updated. In the Winter, get your flu shot.

Thanks for bringing this up. I wasn't actually wondering any of those questions specifically, but it's been a long time since my last physical - so this was a good reminder to get one done.

Checking an EKG or Chest Xray without reason is wasteful and can lead to unnecessary procedures (they may see a shadow, not know what it is, then you get a needless lung biopsy you would not have gotten otherwise, then your lung collapses and you spend a week in the ICU on a respirator...happens)

Ha oops! That is good to know, thanks Trent!