Many women do not have a primary care provider (PCP), but they do have a gynecologist. Similarly, many men don’t have a PCP but they do have a urologist. Because of these tendencies, OB/GYNs and urologists also employ a certain degree of general-health checks for their patients, even if women and men are primarily coming in to make sure they don’t have cervical or prostate cancer, respectively.
Many people wonder about the benefits of getting annual physical exams, especially those who do not have any chronic illnesses or pain. However, even a medical specialist can usually determine whether you may have a health issue that warrants further investigation.
Why Should I Get an Annual Physical?
Having a yearly checkup helps you stay on top of your health even if you feel like you’re healthy. Some of the main benefits of having regular physicals include the following:
Detection of Disease
Through annual physical exams, your physician can establish a baseline of your health by tracking your vital statistics. You will likely be asked to provide a urine sample there at the clinic during your appointment; the doctor may also take a blood sample or ask you to go to a lab after you’ve been fasting.
After analyzing these, your doctor will know a lot of information about your health. A urine sample can indicate whether you have a urinary tract infection (UTI). A blood sample can show that cancer may be somewhere in your body.
If you have been experiencing any unusual pains, be sure to tell your doctor about that as well. They may order certain scans or imaging tests in order to narrow down what may be ailing you. You could have a disease that you can beat if it is caught early.
Comprehensive Physical Examination
In an annual physical, the doctor takes your weight, height, and blood pressure. The physician will also check your blood lipid levels and blood glucose levels for signs of high cholesterol or diabetes, respectively. If something is amiss or suspicious, then the doctor can request further testing.
Common areas of the body that are checked in an annual physical are the heart, lungs, head, neck, and abdomen. For women, their annual physical may include manual breast exams and a Pap smear; for men, it may include a manual prostate exam via a DRE (digital rectal exam). These are all to check for various cancers and chronic health conditions that are treatable if caught at an early stage.
Men’s Health Checkup in Phoenix, Arizona
Here at Ironwood Urology, we specialize in men’s health services – including sexual and reproductive health, especially checking for prostate cancer and BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), or enlarged prostate. Just as women are sure to have a gynecologist, every man should have a skilled and experienced urologist who can make sure he stays in top shape and optimum health.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Desi Avila, call Ironwood Urology today at (480) 961-2323 or fill out our Appointment Request Form now. We look forward to being your medical partner for a lifetime of good health.
