Routine Physicals Q&A

Preventing ill health is far better than enduring the misery and pain diseases like congestive heart failure, cancer, and diabetes can cause. Experienced primary care physician Chinwe Okafor, MD, offers routine physicals at Sugarland Primary Care Physicians in Sugarland, Texas, to pick up the earliest signs of disease. With a routine physical, you can benefit from preventive measures and early intervention for all your health problems. To arrange your routine physical, call Sugarland Primary Care Physicians today or book an appointment online.

What are routine physicals?

A routine physical is an effective way of preventing many health problems and catching any that develop before they worsen.

These visits should form part of your regular health care because they’re far better than waiting to get sick before seeing your doctor.

You save time and money on treating preventable illnesses by having an annual physical. You also spare yourself the misery and potential danger of having health problems like hypertension, high cholesterol, and cancer.

In addition to routine physicals, Dr. Okafor offers specialized exams like well-woman exams and immigration physicals.

What happens during a routine physical?

Your routine physical begins with a medical and family history review and discussing any current health problems. Dr. Okafor then performs a physical exam, starting with checking your heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and breathing.

Dr. Okafor listens to your heart and lung sounds through her stethoscope and feels specific areas like your lymph nodes, abdomen, and joints. She examines your eyes, ears, mouth, nose, skin, hair, and nails and tests your reflexes.

Dr. Okafor also observes how well you move, your mood, responses, and many other indicators of physical or mental health problems.

Would I need any tests or procedures during a routine physical?

When your physical exam is complete, Dr. Okafor takes some blood for the lab to test. Blood tests provide a great deal of information about your general health, including any nutrient deficiencies, your blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and disease indicators like a raised white blood cell count.

Dr. Okafor might also request a urine sample or ask you to go for X-rays or other diagnostic imaging procedures. An EKG (electrocardiogram) might be necessary if there’s any abnormality in your heartbeat.

Screening for cancer might sometimes form part of your routine physical. For example, a Pap smear for women to check for the earliest signs of cervical cancer or a prostate exam for men to check for benign prostate hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) and prostate cancer. Dr. Okafor can also check for breast or testicle lumps, skin cancers, and other abnormalities.

To benefit from a comprehensive routine physical, call Sugarland Primary Care Physicians today and schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.