The Different Types of Physical Exams

An annual physical exam is one of the best things you can do for your health, especially as you get older. At I & B Medical Associates in Miami, Florida, our team offers several types of physicals to help our patients get the care they need. 

Here’s a quick overview of the physicals we offer, plus reasons why you should make physical exams a regular part of your health care routine.

Women’s physicals

Women’s health needs can vary dramatically from men’s, and those needs change over time. Your health needs during the reproductive years are much different from those you experience during menopause, and your health risks change too.

A woman’s health exam includes the same general assessments as a regular annual physical, including taking blood pressure and weight measurements, listening to your heart and lungs, and checking your eyes, ears, and throat. 

We also perform clinical breast exams to look for lumps or other areas of abnormal tissue that need further evaluation.

Depending on your age and other risk factors, we may also perform a pelvic exam with a Pap smear or HPV testing. These exams help identify cervical cancer in its earliest stages and can detect other health issues too, including some types of STDs.

During your exam, we can answer your questions about birth control, STD testing and prevention, menopause care, and fertility concerns. And we can provide you with lifestyle guidance to help you stay healthy as you get older.

Men’s physicals

Just like women, men’s needs change over time. Your health and wellness needs in your 20s can differ significantly from your needs in your senior years. 

A men’s health exam focuses on sexual and reproductive issues and general health concerns. In addition to regular evaluations of your weight, blood pressure, lungs, and heart, we perform a testicular exam and, depending on your risk factors, an exam to check the size of your prostate. 

Your physical is an excellent time to discuss any unusual symptoms that could point to low testosterone levels. Testosterone production starts declining in your 20s, and over time, you may notice symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, or loss of muscle tone, all signs of low T.

It’s also a good time to talk about your sexual health, including problems affecting sexual function. Erectile dysfunction is surprisingly common. Talk to us about your symptoms, and we can prescribe treatment based on your needs.

Workplace and employment physicals

Some jobs demand physicals as a prerequisite for hiring, while others require ongoing physicals as part of wellness or performance plans. 

Workplace insurance plans also frequently require annual physicals to maintain coverage or receive discounts for coverage. These exams aren’t as comprehensive as an annual physical. Instead, they focus on the requirements set forth by your employer or insurance plan. 

At the end of your physical, we can complete the paperwork required by your employer.

The importance of a regular physical

Physical exams are important for anyone with a chronic condition, like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. But they’re also important for helping you prevent diseases. 

During your exam, we review your health risk factors and make lifestyle suggestions that can help you lower those risks and enjoy optimal wellness at every stage of life. We also suggest appropriate medical screenings and vaccines to ward off serious illnesses.

Our team also offers medical weight loss, which helps you shed excess pounds that could elevate your risks for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and even dementia.

And finally, annual physicals allow our team to monitor your health against baseline measurements so we can spot medical issues in their earliest stages.

Your good health is our priority

Don’t wait for the new year to set important health goals. Get a head start by scheduling a physical now. To learn more, call I & B Medical Associates at 786-321-2399 or book an appointment online today.