Wellness Examinations
Plan and schedule your wellness visit every year. Note, this is not a sick visit. A wellness visit is done when you feel well but go in for a general exam or check up with your doctor. You can schedule it in the month of your birthday so you do not forget.
The Wellness Visit or Physical Examination includes:
• A history of any medical concerns if there are any and a thorough physical examination.
• Measurement of vital signs including blood pressure, Heart rate which is also the pulse, respiratory rate and pulse oximetry which checks the oxygen saturation in the blood. Weight measurement which will help with the calculation of the body mass index.
• The BMI (Body Mass Index) looks at the relationship between your weight and height. A BMI greater than 30 is obese. A BMI of above 40 makes the person morbidly obese
• High BMI places the person at risk for hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis and heart disease
• Blood work to check up for: Diabetes, Liver function, Kidney function, Thyroid function, Vitamin D level, Anemia, electrolytes, Cholesterol or lipid panel.
Urine
EKG
Prostate for men.
The ladies will also get a mammogram and a pap smear if indicated.
Other important examinations:
• Mammogram for the ladies annually after 40 years. This is for breast cancer screening.
• Annual prostate check for the men with PSA starting at age 45 (Prostatic Specific Antigen). If done every year, you can trend it out to see if the results are generally in the same “ball park” area. If not, you may need to get a urologist referral.
• Colon cancer screening after 45 for high risk groups including those with a family history of colon cancer. Different modalities exist. Colonoscopy is still the most preferred. If done and the results show a “clean colon “without polyps or abnormalities, the repeat is 10 years unless the person has some intercurrent gastro intestinal issues which may require a repeat. These could be blood in the stool or unexplained weight loss or intractable abdominal pain. There are other screening tests for colon cancer. Discuss with your health care provider to see which one is available for you to do. Relatively new is the Cologuard.
• For the ladies, Papanicolaou tests (Pap Test). Starts at 21 and done at least every 3 years if you have normal trends. It could be discontinued after a hysterectomy (when the womb is surgically removed). This is for cervical cancer screening. Otherwise it can be discontinued at 65 years.
• Dental check for gum disease
• Annual eye check for eye conditions. Notably glaucoma.
• Blood work including hepatitis screening. This checks mostly for hepatitis B or hepatitis C. These infections can be contracted and lay dormant for over 30 years. You may never know of it till checked.
• Blood work and testing for sexually transmitted infections (Based on your risk of exposure)
Vaccinations:
• Tetanus shot(usually Booster dose if the last shot was 10 years ago)
• Coronavirus vaccine if available
• Hepatitis vaccine for those with high risk jobs, lifestyles or living situations. Hepatitis B is transmitted through body fluids, during sexual contact, sharing of needles, improperlyscreened blood and mother to baby at birth
• Shingles vaccine. For those who have a history of chicken pox, the virus is never destroyed. It stays in the nervous system and can be reactivated at any time causing the painful rash of Herpes Zoster. The vaccination helps prevent the reactivation and subdues its severity if it should flare up. It can be received when you are 50 years. The shot is usually in 2 parts.
• Influenza shots annually
• Pneumonia vaccine is usually given at 65 years of age but for those who have decreased or weak immune systems you could discuss that with your doctor.
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccine for those 65 years plus. Usually a single shot
Finally:
• Let us not forget healthy living: moderation in alcohol use, adequate sleep and rest, smoking cessation, weight loss if obese and seat belt use. For those who are handy, useeye protection with goggles and protective gear when doing any gardening or indoor work.
• Healthy eating including more vegetables, fruits and nuts.
• Lean meat baked, grilled or broiled and less frying of meats
• Exercising as tolerated
• Weight loss if BMI is above 30
• Use of appropriate vitamins and supplements
Francis Obeng MD
Alfa Medical Clinic PA