It is likely that over the years, we have heard about the importance of getting an annual physical examination, which is sometimes referred to as ‘a physical’. However, it is surprising the number of women who either do not get a physical done on a regular basis, or have never had one done before.

Women may be more inclined to get a gynaecological check-up more regularly, particularly those who are of child-bearing age, and who are planning on becoming pregnant. Further, and in the Caribbean region, the importance of getting annual pap smears has been widely publicised, due to the higher rates of cervical cancer among Black and Hispanic women, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States. However, even with regard to gynae check-ups, we women can be a bit lax about, unless a situation has arisen for which medical advice or medical intervention is required.

The physical is a comprehensive medical examination done by a person’s primary care physician, which tends to be a General Practitioner (GP), to help determine the state of that individual’s overall health. Typically, and according to WebMD, the examination covers the following:

• Vital signs – which would include blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, temperature, height, and weight;
• Heart exam – to possibly identify any defect in the heart, such as an irregular heartbeat, a heart murmur, or other pointers to heart disease;
• Lung exam – to possibly identify any crackles, wheezes, or decreased breath sounds, and signs of lung disease;
• Head and neck exam – to check, among other things, the state of the throat, tonsils, teeth, gums, sinuses, eyes, and lymph nodes;
• Abdominal exam – which would include checking the size of the liver size, the presence of abdominal fluid, areas of tenderness or rigidity in the abdomen;
• Neurological exam – to check the patient’s nerves, muscle strength, reflexes, balance, etc.;
• Dermatological exam – which would check the skin and nails for possible dermatological problem, or possible clues to disease somewhere else in the body;
• Extremities exam – which would include checking for physical and sensory changes, along with examining joints for potential abnormalities;
• Lab tests – which would be a broad range of blood tests, but could also include urine and stools tests as well, to round out the physical.

I am sure that having read that list you are saying, “Wow! That’s a long list!”, which is precisely why a physical is so important. Although the list itself might be intimidating, here are five reasons why we should make it a priority to not only get a physical, but to do so annually.

 

1.  To Determine The State Of Our Overall Health

First, and evidenced by the list of areas that tend to be included as part of a physical, the results would provide a comprehensive view of our overall health. Typically, when we think about our health, our focus is localised – to a particular body part our area. However, the body is a highly integrated system, and although a focussed examination on a specific health issue might be necessary from time to time, the whole body tends to suffer when there is a health challenge.

For example, the state of our teeth and gum can give some insight into the state of our heart, or a STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) could be the source of a skin or dermatological issue. So as much as we may tend to only go to the doctor when we have specific ailments, there is also considerable value in understanding our bodies and how it is functioning from a more holistic perspective.

 

2.  To Provide A Baseline Of Our Health

Due to the extensive tests tends that are included in a physical, we can get a comprehensive view of our overall health, which in essence, is a snapshot of our health at a given point in time. Over time, our bodies do change – whether we like it or not – and the results of our most recent physical can establish a baseline, as well as provide context against which future changes can be considered.

 

3. To Signal Early Warning Of Changes In Our Body

This point comes to the fore when physicals are done regularly, and so provide information that can be tracked over time. As our bodies change and new health conditions start to emerge, the results of our yearly physical exam may highlight those changes, and allow us and our primary care physician to be proactive in managing those situations.

For example, as we age, or if we move from an active to a more sedentary lifestyle, or if our lives become more stressful, we may experience weight gain, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, to name just a few of the ailments to which we may be susceptible. However, the annual physical exam and the lab tests conducted could highlight early warning signs of ailments. More importantly, and depending on how early these warnings caught, there is a greater chance of managing or reversing of those conditions with lifestyle changes, instead of medical intervention, such as medication, or even surgery.

 

4.  To Establish And Maintain A Relationship With A Primary Care Physician

In the Caribbean region, and in countries that do not have a comprehensive public healthcare system, there tends to be an emphasis on engaging specialist physicians. For example, if you have a skin concern, we make an appointment to see a dermatologist, whereas if we experienced some tightness in our chest one day, we would want to see a cardiologist. In other countries and regions, all of our health concerns would first be directed to our primary care physician, and he/she will refer us to a specialist as appropriate.

However, in engaging specialist physicians whenever we have a health concern, it is possible that there would be no healthcare provider that has a comprehensive view of our overall health. Moreover, in having an annual physical, there is the opportunity for that doctor to understand how our body works – which may have its own unique quirks and a differ slightly within the range of ‘normal’. Additionally, and should there ever be a problem, it would be highly beneficial if there were a doctor – our primary care physician – who could provide insight into our physiology and medical history, and even advocate on our behalf, if needed.

 

5.  To Allow Us To Be Proactive In Our Managing Our Health

Finally, the body is an incredible and complex creation, and as its custodian, we have a responsibility to keep it in good working order, which is likely to result in longevity and a good quality of life. However, in order to do so well, it is crucial that we remain informed on how well our body is working. Further, if issues are caught early, they are easier to treat and manage.

Frequently, and by the time we become aware of a serious health challenge, it would have been developing over the course of several weeks, months or even years, and the treatment may more involved, more expensive, and/or would need to be sustained either indefinitely or over an extensive period of time. An annual visit to the doctor for a physical exam could be the ounce of prevention that can hold us in good stead in the long term.

 

 

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