Physicians and medical insurance companies recommend having a physical examination done once every year.  During a regular physical examination the physician inspects the body of a patient for signs of anomalies and/or diseases by touching, hearing, and visually inspecting.  A sample of urine is examined, and blood is drawn to have it analyzed.

The results of the inspection provide guidance to the health provider to determine if there is a need to investigate further and deeper because of a symptom, because of the presence of an abnormal form in the body, or either the presence of abnormal elements, or the excess/lack of normal elements in secretions and/or blood.

The results of these tests, together with a medical history, give the physician the information needed to take the necessary actions for your health and well being.

There are cases in which a test shows something out of normal levels, when this happens, normally other things are also out of their normal levels.  One thing out of range by itself does not usually mean there is something wrong, unless the reading is way out of the normal range.  One example can be high Bilirubin.  High Bilirubin can be caused by Hepatitis among other things, however, having hepatitis will show other abnormal results as the cause such as the presence of the Hepatitis virus, drugs in the blood flow, history of alcoholism, metabolic diseases such as Wilson’s disease (which would show copper accumulated in tissues), and others.  High Bilirubin by itself is usually a hereditary condition called “Gilbert’s Syndrome” which is believed to affect between 5% to about 10% of the population.  Your physician is the best source of information for anything that you want to know about a certain condition.

The benefits of having these examinations regularly is that the early detection of most diseases is crucial to be able to provide a treatment that will result in the healing of the patient.  This is obviously important for the patient but also for the insurance companies as early treatments of a disease generally incur in less costs compared to the costs of treatments needed to fight a prolonged disease.  Regular physical examinations are necessary for a healthy lifestyle.

If you have not had a physical exam in the past 12 months, contact your doctor and schedule one, it is for your benefit.