Doctor’s Visit

WHEN TO VISIT THE DOCTOR

Have new symptoms after a procedure, surgery, immunization or injection, or starting a new medicine (because it could be an early warning of a side effect or complication)

For routine health checks

Just found out about being pregnant

Dizziness or feeling faintish

Shortness of breath

Irregular heartbeats or rapid heartbeats.

Unexplained weight loss.

Fatigue that won’t go away

Severe sweating, especially cold sweats

Swelling in the ankles or legs

Rash along with a fever (100.4 C or higher)

A new or changing mole or other concerning skin change

Mental health issues

Cold becomes unusually bad or remains more than two weeks

A fever, muscle aches or other flu-like symptoms

Extreme difficulty swallowing

Severe chest, abdominal or pelvic pain

Change in bowel movement or urination

Bright flashes that interrupt one’s vision

Confusion or changes in one’s mood

Feelings of depression or sadness that don’t go away

Feeling extreme highs and lows

Having excessive fear, worry, or anxiety

Withdrawing from social interactions

Changes in eating or sleeping

Inability to cope with daily problems

Delusions or hallucinations

Substance abuse

Thoughts of hurting oneself or others

Menstrual problems

Head injury with suspected concussion

Dizziness and balance problems

Nausea and vomiting

Confusion

Concentration and memory problems

Feeling sluggish or foggy

Sensitivity to light or noise

Sleep problems

Mood changes

Back pain

Constant pain

Pain that spreads down one or both legs, especially if it goes past your knee

Pain with weakness, numbness, or tingling in one or both legs

Pain with swelling or redness on your back

Pain with a fever

Digestive issues

Signs of dehydration (very dry mouth or skin, fatigue, decreased urination, confusion, or irritability)

HOW OFTEN ONE CAN SEE THE DOCTOR

How often one routinely sees the doctor depends on their health, To allow them to catch diseases early and help manage them before they progress into more serious conditions

Routine checkups with the doctor are generally recommended as follows:

Once every 3 years if under the age of 50 and in good health

Once a year once one turns 50

Dermatologist 1 time/year

Obstetrician/Gynecologists (OB/GYN) 1 time/ year if over 21

Urologist 1 time/year if over 40

Gastroenterologist 1 time/ 10 years if over 50

Allergist Varies

Cardiologist 1 time/ 2-4 years if over 20

Dentist 2 times/year

THE BENEFITS OF REGULAR CHECK UPS

Finding potentially life-threatening health issues early before they cause a problem

Early treatment of health conditions, which increases the odds of a good outcome

Regular monitoring of existing health issues, which lowers the risk of worsening symptoms or severe complications

Staying up-to-date on vaccinations and screening tests

Limiting extra healthcare costs associated with treating complicated or serious conditions that aren’t caught early

Developing and maintaining an open, honest relationship with the primary care physician (PCP)

Learning new ways to live a healthy, longer life and improving your health

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A CHECK UP

During an annual checkup, the doctor will review past health history, evaluate one’s current health, and schedule appropriate screening tests

Medical history

Family history

Medication list and allergies

Vaccination and screening test history

Screening is done for

High blood pressure

Obesity, based on body mass index

Tobacco use

Alcohol and drug misuse

Depression

HIV screening for adults ages 15 to 65 and anyone at high risk

Hepatitis C

Type 2 diabetes for anyone with risk factors or a family history

Colorectal cancer starting at age 50

Lung cancer with a yearly low-dose CT scan for adults ages 55 to 80 who currently smoke or have smoked within the last 15 years

Women

Intimate partner violence screening for women of childbearing age

A mammogram for breast cancer screening, between ages 50 and 74

A Pap smear for cervical cancer screening, between ages 21 and 65

High cholesterol screening, starting at age 45

Osteoporosis screening, starting at age 65

Men

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, from ages 65 to 75 with a smoking history

A prostate exam isn’t generally recommended, but may be done starting at age 50

High cholesterol screening, starting at age 35

THE PHYSICAL EXAM

A physical exam is an important part of preventive health care. It is a detailed assessment of the body’s overall functioning, and can include checking vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration; assessing range of motion and posture; inspecting skin color, texture, and lesions; evaluating reflexes; listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope; palpating organs for size and texture; taking full medical history; and conducting tests for vision and hearing acuity. Physical exams can detect early signs of disease or injury that may otherwise go unnoticed until it is too late to treat effectively. They can also lead to early diagnosis, which can improve treatment outcomes, reduce complications, and even save lives.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A PHYSICAL EXAM

When visiting the doctor for a routine checkup, the nurse will

Check the blood pressure and other vital signs

Verify health history, medications, allergies, and lifestyle choices

Ask about changes in one’s medical or surgical history since the last visit

Ask if any medication refills are needed

Screening assessments for depression or alcohol use will be done

The doctor will then review the information in the medical record file and ask any questions based on the information in the record

Counseling on lifestyle choices and screening assessment findings will be provided

A thorough and complete physical exam will be performed by the doctor.

Inspection of the body will be done to detect unusual growths or marks

The parts of the body will be palpated, to check the location, size, consistency, and tenderness of the internal organs

Heart, lungs, and intestines will be auscultated with a stethoscope to detect abnormal sounds

A technique known as percussion, which involves tapping the body like a drum to detect if there’s fluid in areas where it shouldn’t be

For a woman between the ages of 21 and 65, the doctor may also do a Pap smear to check for signs of cervical diseases

After the exam, the doctor will discuss his finding and refer the patient for any additional tests, screenings, treatments or medications.

The nurse will give any necessary prescriptions and instructions before leaving the office

WHAT TO BRING TO THE VISIT TO THE DOCTOR

A list of issues presenting

A list of topics and questions to discuss with the doctor

A Trusted Friend or Family Member

Something to Read

Medical Records and Information

• Identification

• Vaccination card

• A list of past symptoms, and the dates they were experienced

• Prescription or current medication in Their Original Bottles

• Allergies

• Diagnoses

• Dates of previous operations

• Results from lab or diagnostic tests

• Name of one’s primary health care provider

• Contact information of emergency contacts

• Discharge summary from hospital previously admitted to

Phone

Face Mask

Notepad and Pen

Comfortable, Loose Clothing

Eye glasses or sunglasses if bright light may cause discomfort or blurred vision

Hearing Aid (if necessary)

Tissues and hand sanitizer

Ways to pay: a credit card, cash or exemption card