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Annual Physicals

An annual physical is one of the most powerful tools you have when it comes to your health and well-being, especially if you have a comorbid condition. At Neighborhood Medical Center in Dallas, Dr. Martin G. McElya provides comprehensive annual exams that are key in spotting potential risks before they become major medical issues.

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Why Do I Need an Annual Physical?

Enough can’t be said about the value of an annual physical or wellness exam. In fact, many insurance companies cover these visits completely because of the enormous value they deliver in terms of early intervention and prevention.

For Dr. McElya, annual physicals provide him with the opportunity to track and monitor your health from year to year, allowing him to spot and mitigate potential problems before they become full-blown medical issues.

For patients who suffer from chronic conditions, an annual physical allows Dr. McElya to not only track your condition, but also ensure that you remain healthy in other areas so that your condition isn’t unnecessarily compounded.

Even if you’re feeling healthy, annual physicals are important for maintaining your great health.

What is Checked at an Annual Physical?

During your annual physical, Dr. McElya performs the following:

Baseline information gathering

To get started, Dr. McElya checks basic vital signs including your temperature, blood pressure, respiration rate, and heart rate. He also measures your height and weight. All of these measurements are added to your medical history and provide useful baseline information.

How Do Physical Tests Work?

Visual exam

With your vital stats recorded, Dr. McElya moves on to a visual exam, assessing your overall appearance, including your musculoskeletal structure, your eyes, and your skin.

Physical exam

For this part of the physical, Dr. McElya checks several areas, including your:

  • Reflexes
  • Lymph nodes
  • Balance
  • Genitalia, if necessary
  • Abdomen

How Does The Blood Test Work?

Lab tests

Either before or after your physical, Dr. McElya takes a sample of your blood and urine for lab tests. Blood tests reveal a considerable amount about how your body is functioning and play an important role in your annual wellness check.

This blood test may include a fasting glucose test, which looks at levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It can also test cholesterol levels, kidney and liver function, electrolytes including sodium and potassium, and complete blood count (CBC). Additionally, the doctor may request a hormone test to analyze testosterone, estrogen, and thyroid hormone levels. All of these tests combined allow the doctor to get an overall picture of the patient’s health.

What If My Annual Physical Spots a Problem?

An annual physical is designed to do exactly that — spot anything that might be of consequence to your health. For example, if Dr. McElya notices that your blood pressure is on the high side and you’ve gained some weight, he suggests ways to address both to eliminate much larger problems down the road. Whatever Dr. McElya discovers, he has ample opportunity to investigate further and point you in the right direction for prevention or treatment.

It is important to have an annual physical to stay on top of your health. It is recommended that you schedule a comprehensive physical each year with your doctor to make sure you are up to date on all your medical information.

Having a physical can help the doctor monitor any changes in your health and spot any potential issues. At Neighborhood Medical Center, it is easy to book an appointment or to reschedule a physical. You can book an appointment online or call Neighborhood Medical Center today to take the first step in keeping your health on track.

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