What your primary care physician will do during annual physicals

Annual physicals basics

Annual physicals help reassure us that we are healthy.  Sometimes, we get annual physicals to determine if there is a problem and catch it before it becomes serious.  Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland and their staff of physicians provide annual physicals, as well as physicals for sports and immigration. 

What to expect during annual physicals

Most physicians will spend time listening to your concerns and answering any questions you may have.  During annual physicals, your doctor will typically ask about your medical history and if you have any particular complaints or concerns.  The doctor may ask you about lifestyle issues such as smoking, sexual health, alcohol intake, exercise and diet.  They may also check on your vaccinations and update your personal and family medical history. 

What physicians do during annual physicals

Your primary care doctor will take your vital signs including your blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature and respiration rate.  The physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates spend time observing their patients and talking with them.  They may ask about your memory and test your mental quickness.  They will observe you to see if your skin appears healthy and if you are able to easily walk and stand.  The physician will also do a heart exam, listening to your heart with a stethoscope.  This is to check for irregular heartbeats or a heart murmur.  The doctor may also do a lung exam, again using a stethoscope to listen for wheezes, crackles, or sounds of decreased breathing.

The primary care physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates can perform annual physicals on anyone at their in Germantown, Maryland. When you need an annual physical, schedule an appointment to see your primary care physician at Germantown Primary Care Associates.