Annual Physicals, Health Checks, and Health Screenings

What Are Annual Physicals?

Annual physicals are performed by primary care providers, and they give you an overall snapshot of your health and wellness. During an annual physical exam, your provider will begin by checking your vital signs, including your:

Temperature
Heart rate
Respiration rate and breath sounds
Blood pressure

Vital signs can be a good indicator of if you are at risk for any conditions and will allow your provider to further evaluate abnormalities.

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Step 1: Signup for the Patient Portal

Step 2: Schedule Your First Appointment

If you already have a portal account, simply log in.

Once your vital signs are taken, you will be asked about your lifestyle. These questions will consist of:

Do you exercise regularly?
Do you maintain a well-balanced diet?
Do you smoke or use tobacco products?
What is your weekly alcohol intake?

Your answers to these questions will give your provider insight into any complications your lifestyle could impose on your health.

After completing those steps, the physical portion of the exam begins. At this stage, your provider will perform a few routine exams that include:

A head and neck exam
Observe your mobility and load-balancing abilities
Test the reflexes in your extremities
Abdominal exam

Additionally, the provider will take note of your general appearance. The way that someone looks can tell a lot about their physical health, and your provider will be looking for:

Unusually pale or yellow skin
Swollen lymph nodes
Your skin health

Are you overdue for your annual physical? MainStreet Family Care can help! We include annual physical exams in our primary care services and would love to complete this exam for you.

Sign Up Now!

Step 1: Signup for the Patient Portal

Step 2: Schedule Your First Appointment

If you already have a portal account, simply log in.

Why Do You Need An Annual Physical?

Getting an annual physical not only helps your provider understand your health but helps you understand how you can improve your physical health and any underlying conditions you may be at risk for.

These exams enable your provider to establish preventative health methods, which help you live a healthier lifestyle and reduce the threat of future health conditions.

What Are Health Checks and Health Screenings?

Health checkups and health screenings focus on your overall health and wellness. These exams often include a physical aspect; however, it is not their sole focus.

At a health screening, your primary care provider will begin by asking you a series of questions concerning how you feel. This is when you should notify them of any issues you are facing or concerned with. When your provider understands how you feel on a daily basis, they will be able to pinpoint potential issues and perform tests based on them.

Next, they will begin asking you questions about your medical history and updating it. This may include questions about any lifestyle changes you have recently made or if you have gotten any diagnoses since your last visit.

Once you have answered all questions, the screening will officially begin. The provider will complete your physical, then order a blood test. Blood tests can uncover underlying deficiencies or abnormalities that could contribute to future disease. When receiving a blood test, the provider is checking for signs of:

Cancer
Kidney disease
Heart disease
High cholesterol
Anemia
Diabetes
Thyroid diseases
High blood pressure

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Step 1: Signup for the Patient Portal

Step 2: Schedule Your First Appointment

Register New Patient Portal Account

If you already have a portal account, simply log in.

Why Do You Need Yearly Health Checks And Health Screenings?

Getting screened, tested, and checked yearly can help you maintain good health status for years to come. In addition to updating your medical history, primary care providers can help you with preventative services to further improve your health. Preventative care services include but are not limited to:

Weight loss plans
Diet and exercise regimens
Smoking cessation

When completing preventative care, you are reducing your risk of many different diseases that could significantly harm your health.

Other Annual Health Checkups

In addition to receiving a yearly physical, it is important to receive annual exams from other providers.

These exams consist of:

A yearly breast exam to check for breast cancer
Pap tests to check for cervical cancer
Prostate exams to check for prostate cancer