U Need A Routine Physical Exam

Dr Nitin Mehta
MSc, PhD, FICN,Dip.in Lib.Sc&Hosp.Admn.

Even you feel fine, a routine physical exam [or medical check up as is popularly known] at regular intervals has many benefits, the most important is the early detection of disease .Many major killers e.g., high B.P., diabetes and cancer, which may be present for years and there are no symptoms or they are missed/ignored. Early diagnosis of the disease and getting treated them early enough can save your life. Disease[s] in your family, dietary habits, physical activity and body mass index [BMI] are the precursors to all ailments.

A good reason to see a general physician in your area-probably this person is familiar with your family—is to develop the ongoing relationship, determine your specific risks and vulnerabilities as you grow older .Give your family history, discuss your own concerns and questions, and get all the answers to your satisfaction. Correct diagnosis often can be made from your carefully described symptoms .Proper advice can be taken about how to prolong and improve the quality of life. Also, when you do get sick, you are much better off being treated by a doctor who knows you, inside out, especially in an emergency.

If you are in 30s, check ups are necessary every three years for the presence of heart disease, hypertension, and cancer .Ensure to get checked your weight is proper for your age& height, your BMI should be less than 25. This is when a regular, comprehensive blood analysis to check for sugar, lipid profile [cholesterol triglycerides HDL & LDL cholesterol etc], Liver &kidney functions, anemia, & any other disorders, routine urine and stool analysis should also be carried out. A routine ECG & later years, if needed for some, a stress test .Routine X-Ray may be advised particularly to smokers. PAP smear for women. All these reports be treated as base line for future use.

If you are in 40s , have complete exam every two years. Your family physician may ask men for a digital rectal exam & for women clinical breast exam [even without family history]& later mammogram if suggestive. Women should have an pelvic exam too.

If you are in 50s, check ups are required every year, to detect in addition diabetes, emphysema, chronic bronchitis [if smoking], and arthritis, behavioral changes due to early memory loss or depression. If your doctor suggests, a colorectal cancer test &PSA blood test be carried out.

If you are in 60s, women past menopause is at increased risk for osteoporosis, should have a bone density test. At the same time, hearing &vision also be tested.

Regular medical check ups should begin in early life with a pediatrician. It is never too early to instill good diet practices in children given better food choices – specifically low fat alternatives, they learn about healthful eating themselves .Lifestyle changes can be started early.

There is increasing concern about obesity in children. In recent study published in JAMA ,more than one million U.S. youngsters have undiagnosed high B.P,atleast partly by rising obesity. Untreated/ undiagnosed disease like this, can cause health problems in adults.

In a fast moving life, even if you feel fine, get a physical exam done. It is an out of pocket expense, there’s nothing more important, you‘ll never regret.