5 Ways To Prepare For Your Physical Exam
by Julia Gregory
Even if you are fairly young and in good health, it is still important to schedule a yearly medical exam with your family medical care doctor. During this exam, your doctor will perform a variety of health tests, including a lung and heart exam, and make sure that you are in good physical health. If your yearly exam is coming up, here are some different ways you can prepare for it.
Drink A Lot Of Water
It is important to be well-hydrated before your physical exam. The more hydrated you are, the better your pulse and blood pressure will be. Additionally, if you are getting blood work done, not drinking enough water can skew the results. Try to drink at least a couple of glasses of water before you head off to the doctor's office.
Wear Comfortable And Loose Clothing
During your physical, your doctor will ask you to wear a hospital gown. That is why you should avoid wearing tight and difficult to remove clothes to your physical. If you wear sweatpants and a loose t-shirt, you can remove your clothes easily and quickly.
Gather All Your Medical Information
Your doctor will want to know about any medical problems you currently have and any problems you've experienced in the past. If you have a family history of certain health conditions, your doctor will want to know about that too. Remember to have this information ready at your physical exam.
Write Down Your Questions
If you have any questions you would like to ask your doctor, you should write them down in a notebook and bring it with you. For example, if you have been experiencing certain symptoms for a while, you may want to bring that up at your appointment. It is easy to forget certain questions if you do not have them written down.
Arrive Early
It is always a good idea to arrive at the doctor's office at least 10 to 15 minutes early. This way, you can have a few moments to relax and plenty of time to fill out the medical forms. When your doctor calls you into the exam room, you will be all prepared.
If you follow these useful tips, you will be well-prepared for your physical exam and will be more likely to have a productive appointment. Do not be afraid to bring up any questions or concerns to your doctor during your appointment.
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About Me
The decision to move one of my parents into assisted living was one of the most difficult I have ever made. I had extreme feelings of guilt that led to me being at the facility with my parent practically around the clock. It took a few months before I realized that I could not let my own life fall apart from the guilt I was feeling. I also learned that my parent was fine without me constantly hovering around. Since that time, I have had several friends express similar feelings of guilt. I started this blog to help others in the same situation understand not only their feelings about assisted living, but those of their parents.