Here’s What to Expect at Your Upcoming Physical

Life is so busy that it’s tough to find time to go to the doctor when you’re sick, let alone healthy. If you have an annual physical on the books, congratulations — you’ve taken an important step toward staying healthy and avoiding complicated and expensive problems.

If you booked your annual physical exam here at the Macomb Medical Clinic, we want you to feel comfortable and prepared. Dr. Mark Rosenberg have compiled this guide to give you a better idea about what to expect. 

We thoroughly check every aspect of your health and follow up on any concerns — addressing early signs of illness and disease can save you pain, stress, and money in the long run. Here’s a look at the Macomb Medical Clinic’s annual wellness exam. 

What does an annual wellness exam involve?

An annual wellness exam focuses on your overall well-being. It’s an opportunity to discuss any health changes you’ve noticed since your last visit, including weight loss, altered sleep patterns, or any newly experienced stress.

We conduct various health tests during your appointment to assess your overall health.

Regular check-ups with our team enable us to detect any problems that may go unnoticed and devise a personalized health plan.

Identifying such patterns allows us to spot potential problems at an early stage. Skipping your annual wellness exam could lead to missed early detection and treatment opportunities.

What can I anticipate during my annual wellness exam?

We tailor every wellness exam to fit individual needs, but you can expect certain common elements, such as checking for symptoms of prevalent chronic diseases. Here are some common health checks you can anticipate:

Blood pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a stealthy disease that can wreak havoc for years before its symptoms become evident. We measure your vital signs to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure.

Nutrition deficiencies

Vitamin D and iron deficiency are common among adults and can significantly affect health. We check your levels to ensure you’re not deficient in these or other nutrients.

Cholesterol

Elevated cholesterol levels significantly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Knowing your cholesterol levels and taking necessary steps if they’re high is crucial, so we routinely check them during an annual wellness exam.

Blood sugar

We conduct an A1C test to measure your average blood sugar levels and detect prediabetes and diabetes. 

Liver health

Depending upon your overall health status and lifestyle, we may evaluate your liver enzymes to assess the organ’s wellness.

Bone density

We may conduct a bone density test based on your age and risk factors to detect osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease.

Physical examination

During your annual wellness exam, we examine your heart, lungs, eyes, ears, nose, throat, and abdomen. We may also assess your balance and reflexes and refer you for further tests if necessary.

Discuss preventive measures

We discuss lifestyle changes that could reduce your risk for chronic diseases if you’re at risk.

Arrange screenings

Expect to arrange any pending or overdue health screenings, such as a Pap smear, colonoscopy, or mammogram.

Manage medications

Finally, we review your current prescription and nonprescription drugs, make adjustments if needed, and ensure none of the medications interferes with the others.

Your annual wellness exam is part of our comprehensive preventive medicine services that reduce your risk of chronic disease. 

If you’re due for an annual wellness exam, call Macomb Medical Clinic in Sterling Heights, Michigan, to schedule it now.