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How often should person have medical check up? The American Medical Association suggests that people have medical checkups every five years until age 40 and then every one to three years thereafter. One rule of thumb suggested: For individuals in their twenties -- two exams during that time period; in their thirties -- three exams; forties -- four exams. An annual health exam is recommended for most patients after age 50. It is always best to work with your clinician to decide what is best for you.
What Might A Person Expect From A Medical Examination?
A complete family and medical history will be taken. The clinician should check or ask questions about the eyes, ears, nose, throat, abdominal area, swallowing, appetite, digestion, circulation and lungs. A urine specimen is used to test problems with kidneys; a blood sample, to check cholesterol and any deficiency of iron.
The clinician may request additional tests, depending on age, gender, medical history and family history. A chest X-ray, EKG, rectal examination, or stress test may be suggested. The clinician may suggest lifestyle changes and call for health interventions. New patients should be quizzed about their medical history and that of close relatives. There should be a few questions about their social history.
There isn't much counseling done at this time as it relates to lifestyle changes. A study by Consumer Reports revealed that patients don't receive much counseling when they go in for their health checkups. One in five receives counseling about nutrition. One in seven is counseled about exercise. One in three smokers is encouraged to quit. One in 100 patients is counseled about injury prevention. (Consumer Reports August 1998)
