Comprehensive Health Assessment Guide for a Better Life

1. Periodic Health Evaluations Components, Procedures, and Why They Could Save Your Life!!!

2. Step 1: Medical History • Includes: • Allergies • Medications • Past illnesses and hospitalizations • Lifestyle habits • Immunizations • Assessment of mental function, social skills, and emotional health

3. Step 1: Medical History • Why is the history necessary? • Medical histories can tell doctors more about a patient than you may think. Doctors can link your medical concerns and lifestyle habits together to explain your symptoms. • Doctors know more about medicine and health than most patients, so they can spot problems before they arrive—prevention • Monitoring a patient’s medication is vital. Doctors can look for side effects as well as drug-nutrient interactions.

4. Step 1: Medical History • What are some items that could fall under “lifestyle habits” that doctors need to know about?

5. Step 2: Examination • Weight and height • Weight is taken to assess any recent weight changes and whether or not the patient is underweight or overweight; both are cause for concern • Height, especially in children, is used to assess whether the child is growing adequately • Height and weight are used to asses BMI, which aids in the classification of overweight, underweight, and obese

6. Step 2: Examination • Blood Pressure • Usually taken by a nurse; a blood pressure cuff is wrapped around the bicep and air is pumped into it while the nurse listens • Normal BP is 120/80 • High Blood Pressure: hypertension • Low Blood Pressure: hypotension

7. Step 2: Examination • Vital Signs • Pulse, body temperature, breathing rate • Check your pulse!! • Find your pulse: upper neck, wrist, temples • Use two fingers to feel the pulse; count for 30 seconds and double the number (for 1 minute) • A normal rate is around 60-100 beats per minute; lower for more athletic individuals

8. Step 2: Examination • Head-to-toe check • Check skin for abnormal moles • Check ears, eyes, nose, mouth, throat • Listen to lungs for abnormalities • Check lymph nodes for signs of infection • Test reflexes (the little hammer hit below the knee) • Neurological exam--follow an object with your eyes, strength of hand grip, walk in a straight line, assess response to pain/stimuli • Check legs and ankles for signs of edema (swelling that indicates fluid retention)

9. Step 3: Tests • Urinalysis • Used to check for protein or blood in the urine, pH, fluid balance, and presence of bacteria • Some medications interfere with the color of urine, so your doctor might tell you to stop taking them before the test

10. Step 3: Tests • Blood tests • CBC: complete blood count; used to check for anemia, infection, kidney and liver health • CMP: comprehensive metabolic panel; used to check for organ function and nutritional status • Cholesterol: routine blood test in adults; arrive fasting for the test

11. When to Call the Doctor • The routine physical exam is a great way to spot possible diseases before they start, but “prevention” doesn’t prevent everything • Be sure to let your parents know if you have shortness of breath, chest pains, rapid heart beats, fainting, dizziness, vomiting/diarrhea, changes in mental function, mood changes, confusion, persistent headache or neck pain. They can decide if a trip to the doctor is necessary.

12. Your Turn • Find out more about the common diseases and conditions that the medical checkup can spot, including • High or low blood pressure • Overweight and obesity • High cholesterol • Underweight and malnutrition • Anemia • Diabetes