The importance of annual physical exams

Annual physicals

An annual physical is especially important as you grow older. Anyone whose health is less than perfect should get one. A primary care physician may spot the first warning signs of heart disease or diabetes or other serious ailments before you do. Here are some of the things your annual physical may go into:

• Your pulse, blood pressure, breathing and temperature.

• Your medical history over the past year, including diet, exercise and habits.

• Your eyes, ears, nose,and throat.

• Your abdomen, joints and extremities.

• Your reflexes, balance and mental state.

Getting an annual physical in Germantown, MD

When going to a primary care facility for the first time, be sure to bring your insurance card and a picture ID. You should also bring a list of whatever medications you take along with the dosage, any recent test results you may have gotten from other physicians, and whatever other information you think may be useful.

One place to get a comprehensive physical exam in the Germantown area is Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown, run by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Manbir Takhar. If you download a copy of the registration form from their Web site for your first visit, it will speed up the process of checking in. You will not need to do this the next time you visit.

For all but the healthiest of us, an annual physicals exam is a wise precaution. Schedule one today.

Information about annual physical exams

What is an annual physical exam?

An annual physical exam is a way to ensure your health and safety through a routine check-up. You can count on your Germantown, MD primary care clinic to deliver superior care for your annual physical exam.

Your medical history

The first part of the annual exam is usually a discussion or questionnaire about your health and medical history. This includes lifestyle and behaviors like smoking and tobacco use, alcohol, sexual activity, diet, and exercise. Your doctor will also ask about your family’s medical history, since some diseases and conditions are genetic, and will review your past vaccinations.

Vital signs

The next part of the exam is to check your vital signs. Your blood pressure should be less than 120 over 80. Your heart rate should generally be 60 to 100, though many healthy people actually have a rate below 60. Your respiration should be 12 to 16 breaths per minute. Your temperature should be approximately 98.6 degrees.  Your doctor will listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope for an irregular heartbeat or murmur, or any wheezing in your breathing. They will also examine your tonsils, throat, teeth, and gums, as well as thyroid, lymph nose, ears, and eyes. Finally, they will test your reflexes, balance, and muscle strength for any neurological issues, and skin for any dermatological issues.

Germantown Primary Care

Germantown Primary Care has been seeing patients in Germantown, Gaithersburg, Hyattstown, and Montgomery County for almost two decades. Germantown Primary Care’s Chief Medical Officer is Dr. Manbir Takhar. She has served in that position since 2012, and is dedicated to providing top-notch, individualized patient care.

Primary care doctors and services in Germantown, MD and Montgomery County

Overview

Primary care includes medical examinations, internal medicine, treatments, diagnoses, and other health services. Patients in Germantown, MD, Montgomery County, and the surrounding areas can visit their local primary care clinic for these important services.

Physicals

Your primary care clinic offers a number of physical examinations to suit your needs and lifestyle, including the annual, sports, pre-college, DoT, and immigration physical. The sports physical is for children and teens involved in school sports that require proof of ability to play safely. The pre-college physical is a requirement of most colleges and universities before students can attend campus. The DoT physical is required of all Department of Transportation employees.

Other Evaluations

In addition to the standard exams and evaluations that are part of the annual physical, individuals may require specific evaluations. This includes testing for STDs and pregnancy, family planning, prostate and breast exams, Pap smears, testing for skin disorders, lung health, and heart health.

Lab Tests

Your primary care clinic my suggest certain lab tests, and can write scripts for them. Lab tests may be for: STDs, anemia, cholesterol, tuberculosis, or thyroid problems.

Immunizations

All of the standard vaccinations, flu and travel vaccinations, and TB and allergy testing are offered at your local primary care clinic. 

Your Clinic

Germantown Primary Care has seen thousands of patients over the past two decades throughout Germantown, Hyattstown, Gaithersburg, and Montgomery County. The Chief Medical Officer of Germantown Primary Care Associates has been Dr. Manbir Takhar since 2012. She has a passion for using her expertise to better the lives of her patients.

Annual physical exams in Germantown, MD and Montgomery County

Overview

Annual physical exams are a vital component of healthy living, especially as you age, which is when health issues or concerns with your body’s primary functions are more likely to occur. Patients in Germantown, MD and Montgomery County, as well as the surrounding area can go to their local primary care clinic for this important exam, as well as many other medical services.

Exam

The annual physical entails an exam and vaccinations. During the exam, your doctor will check your vital signs and organs, as well as your joints and glands. Your doctor may also ask you about your lifestyle and medical history, or have you complete a questionnaire. Lab tests may be required depending on the results of your physical exam, or answers, which could include testing for: anemia, cholesterol, STDs, tuberculosis, and thyroid problems.

Vaccinations

The other portion of the annual physical exam is vaccinations. If you can, it is best practice to bring documentation of your prior immunizations when visiting a clinic for the first time, so that staff has an idea of which shots you may be missing. In addition to the standard vaccinations, shots for yellow fever and other travel-related viruses are offered, as well as TB testing, flu vaccinations, and allergy shots.

Your Clinic

Germantown Primary Care has seen thousands of patients over the past two decades throughout Germantown, Hyattstown, Gaithersburg, and Montgomery County. The Chief Medical Officer of Germantown Primary Care Associates has been Dr. Manbir Takhar since 2012. She has a passion for using her expertise to better the lives of her patients. 

Annual physical exams in Germantown, MD and Montgomery County

Annual Physical Exam Overview

Annual physicals are vital at every age, especially as you become older, as health concerns begin, and the body’s functions weaken. Depending on your insurance coverage, a comprehensive physical can be done either yearly or biennially. Residents in the Germantown, MD and Montgomery County areas can visit their local quality clinic to perform this exam.

Immunizations

Bring a copy of your past immunizations to the clinic, if it is your first time visiting, so that staff know which shots you need. Typically, vaccinations include: yellow fever, varicella, typhoid, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, hepatitis A and B, HPV, diphtheria, and pertussis. TB testing, flu and travel vaccinations, and allergy shots are also available.

The Exam Itself

During the comprehensive annual physical exam, a staff member will check your: joints, muscles, lungs, heart, abdomen, neck and thyroid glands, nose, eyes, ears, skin, throat, breasts, and, for women, also the pelvis. Lab tests may be required, which could include tests for: STDs, tuberculosis, thyroid problems, anemia, and cholesterol. Your blood pressure, weight, and height will also be measured, and you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire.

Your Clinic

Serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg, and Hyattstown, Germantown Primary Care offers a wide range of services and facilities to meet patients’ various needs. The medical team, which includes Dr. Manbir Takhar, offers both progressive medical treatments and all-inclusive, quality care. Germantown Primary Care has over 20 years of experience serving thousands of patients in the greater Washington area. 

You can schedule annual physicals today at Germantown Primary Care Associates

Keep you and your family healthy by scheduling annual physicals

Your medical provider performs annual physicals to evaluate your overall health.  The National Institutes of Health recommend healthy individuals undergo annual physicals at least once per year.  During annual physicals, your medical provider will check for several things, including diseases and other health conditions.  They will also ask you about your diet and exercise routine.  They will also check blood pressure and cholesterol and blood sugar levels. 

How to prepare for physicals

AS you prepare for annual physicals, gather all the necessary information.  You should include any medications you are currently taking and any results from recent medical tests.  Also, write down any symptoms or pain you may be experiencing.  If you are seeing any other medical providers or specialists, provide their names and contact information.  Be sure to dress comfortably because you will undress for the exam.

Performing annual physicals

Before you see a doctor or other medical provider, a nurse will typically ask you about your medical history.  Be honest and be sure to tell them about any symptoms, allergies, or surgeries.   When you meet with the medical provider who is performing your annual physical, they will usually begin annual physicals by checking for unusual marks or growths.  Next, they will evaluate the abdomen and other organs.  While they do this they will look for location, consistency, size, texture and tenderness of the organs. They will also check height, weight, and temperature.  The medical providers at Germantown Primary Care Associates perform annual physicals every day and will be happy to perform yours. 

How to get ready for Department of Transportation physicals

Preparing for Department of Transportation physicals

There are times when passing the DOT physical can be a major hurdle.  Passing Department of Transportation physicals is necessary to getting a commercial driver’s license and most of the time, having that type of license is necessary to keeping their job.  If you need a DOT physical and live in the Germantown MD or Montgomery County area, the physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates provide DOT testing seven days a week and have extended hours.

Two weeks before

It is important for the driver to ensure they have all the required paperwork. Gather any documents or reports which might be helpful during the exam.  For example, if diabetic, they should bring a copy of their hemoglobin A1C or blood-sugar testing. If a driver has any special or unusual medical conditions, they should also bring a copy of their medical records for the doctor to review.  This includes conditions such as a heart murmur or diabetes. If a driver has questions about what documentation is needed, they should call the DOT physicals office. 

One week before the DOT

Write down all prescription medications, including dosage and strength.  List any over-the-counter medications taken regularly.  Drivers can call Germantown Primary Care Associates, Germantown MD’s best medical clinic to schedule DOT physicals.  They provide the quickest, most convenient DOT physicals in Montgomery County.

On the day

Drivers arriving for DOT physicals should bring all their documentation and medical records, including their list of medications.  They should not drink any caffeine beverages or smoke before their DOT physicals either.  Following these tips can help ensure a driver gets a clean bill of health during DOT physicals. 

Health physicals important to every man

Men’s physicals should include an adult well male exam

Most men are reluctant to see a primary care doctor.  They find all types of excuses from “I can’t take the time” to “I don’t need to see a doctor for that”.  Even if a man is seemingly healthy, it is a good idea to get an adult male well exam at least every two to three years.  Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, MD can make an appointment and do the necessary exams and labs at one time, saving a busy man a great deal of time.  They are one of the best primary care clinics in Montgomery County.

What to expect during a wellness physical

Every adult male well exam should cover the individual medical history.  The primary care doctor will also ask about substance abuse, diet and exercise habits, risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases, and symptoms of depression.  They will conduct a physical examination which will include body mass index screening and blood pressure check. 

Important screenings as we get older

As men get older, they should be screened for colorectal and prostate cancer.  Their primary care doctor may also order screening tests for testicular cancer if deemed necessary.  The goal of adult well male physicals is to help a man remain healthy.  These physicals can also help determine if a man is at risk of chronic disease development and can ensure they receive the age-appropriate immunizations and screenings. 

Visit Germantown Primary Care Associates for all your required and recommended physicals.

The clinic is a one-stop-shop for all Montgomery County primary care, including diagnosis, lab work, and treatment.  Physical therapy and a sleep lab are also located in the same building.  Call Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown MD to schedule any of your physicals.

Germantown Primary Care Associates conduct DOT and Immigration physicals

Types of physicals conducted by Germantown Primary Care Associates

The physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland can conduct any type of health physical you may need. We are experts in assuring all criteria are met, including the very stringent requirements of the DOT and immigration physicals.

Our doctors specialize in the Department of Transportation (DOT) physical and the Immigration physical examination.  Both of these physical examinations have very detailed criteria, requiring certain areas of expertise. 

The requirements for DOT physicals

Before someone can get their commercial driver’s license, they must pass a DOT physical.  This physical determines if a potential driver is physically capable of safely driving.  The basic requirements of DOT physicals include vision, hearing, blood pressure check, diabetes and blood sugar check, drug test for schedule 1 drugs, and a cardio stress test if the applicant has any history of cardiac disease or issues.  

The requirements for Immigration physicals

In order to obtain permanent visa status within the United States, individuals must first pass an immigration physical conducted by a U.S. civil surgeon.  These physicals determine if they have any diseases or conditions which would make them ineligible for permanent immigration status.  Germantown Primary Care Associates’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Manbir Takhar is a certified U.S. Civil Surgeon authorized to perform immigration physicals.  The requirements of the immigration physical include a basic physical exam, testing for syphilis, evaluation of the full medical history, checking for immunizations, testing for tuberculosis, and chest x-rays, if necessary.

Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland provides both DOT and Immigration physicals. Call Germantown Primary Care Associates today to schedule an appointment for any of these types of physicals.  

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. 

Visit Germantown Primary Care Associates for yoru physical exam

Scheduling your annual physical

Everyone should get an annual physical.  This routine health examination checks your overall health.  Your primary care doctor will perform several diagnostic tests designed to determine the status of your general health and you should discuss any concerns or questions you may have.

What your primary care physician will do during your physical exam

Your primary care doctor will check for blood pressure, high cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. This is important because there may be times when you have high levels in one of these critical areas, but still show no symptoms.  Germantown Primary Care Associates and their medical staff can treat any of these conditions before they become severe. 

As you prepare for your physical exam

When you prepare for your physical at Germantown Primary Care Associates, there are steps you can take to get the most out of your appointment.  Gather your medical paperwork, including a list of all current medications, results from any recent medical tests, your surgical and medical history.  When you first begin your physical appointment at Germantown Primary Care in Germantown, Maryland, you will talk with one of our medical staff.  They will ask you a series of questions to determine your medical history. 

The physician will check your abdomen and other body parts, checking your internal organs for consistency, size, location, texture, and tenderness.  The doctor will also use a stethoscope to listen to your heart and your lungs.  They may ask you to take deep breaths or cough.  They will also look for any unusual growths or marks.

One of the best primary care clinics in Germantown, Maryland is Germantown Primary Care Associates. Give them a call when you need to schedule your next annual physical exam.