A comprehensive examination of the body is a set of routine medical procedures that are recommended to be carried out periodically, and which allows the doctor to check the general health of a person and to detect and prevent risk factors for certain diseases.
The comprehensive examination includes analyzes, laboratory tests, diagnostic radiological examinations, and other procedures. What is appropriate for the patient is chosen according to several factors, such as the patient's health condition, age, gender, and other factors.
Screening is recommended every 5 years for people ages 18-40, and every one to three years after the age of 40. There is a group of tests that are recommended to be conducted every year, such as a cumulative diabetes check.
The importance of a comprehensive examination Components of a comprehensive examination Medical and family history Clinical examination Comprehensive screening analyses Diagnostic x-ray examinations Comprehensive examination for men Comprehensive examination of women Preparations for a comprehensive examination Examination risks
Read more on the medical websiteThe importance of a comprehensive examination
A comprehensive examination is very important, as it helps in the following:
Diagnosis of the patient's condition.
Early detection of diseases, especially those that do not have visible symptoms so that the doctor can treat them early.
Check for risk factors for common chronic diseases, and define a plan to prevent infection.
Prevent complications of the disease.
Components of a comprehensive examination
The comprehensive examination includes several procedures, including the following:
Medical and family history
Several questions are asked by the doctor as part of the comprehensive examination, in order to find out the patient's medical history. The following are the most important points that are inquired about:
Appointments and results of previous tests, such as vaccinations, Pap tests, mammograms, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure readings.
A complete family medical history, which helps to identify common diseases in the patient's family.
Medications taken by the patient and previous surgeries he underwent.
Everyday practices, such as drug or alcohol use, smoking, exercise, and sexual practices.
Normal bodily functions, such as eating, sleeping, and urinating.
Read more on the medical websiteClinical examination
The clinical examination is part of the comprehensive examination, and is very useful in determining the nature of the disease in people who show symptoms, but the clinical examination is often of little use for people who do not show any symptoms, and from the clinical examinations that are usually performed by the doctor:
Measure vital signs, such as blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse rate, temperature, height, and weight.
Measurement of visual acuity, such as testing the acuity or clarity of vision from a distance.
Examination of the head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat.
Gastrointestinal examination.
Assessment of cardiovascular function.
Respiratory assessment, which includes measuring breathing rate and listening for breathing sounds.
Assessment of musculoskeletal strength.
Neurological examination, in which nerve functioning, reflexes, balance, and the patient's mental state are evaluated.
Examination of the skin and lymph nodes.
Examination of the abdominal area, where the doctor usually taps on the patient's abdomen to measure the size of the liver, or to check for fluid in the abdomen.
Examination of the patient's limbs, in order to check for any weakness, atrophy, or paralysis in the function of the legs, feet, toes, arms, or hands.
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