FAQ:

Why do I need a physical exam?

A physical exam is part of your comprehensive, personalized health care plan. Even if you never seem to get sick and are generally healthy, you still need regular physical exams every year. The concern health practitioners have is that most chronic conditions, including high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, develop gradually over time.

The best way to detect such issues is to undergo regular laboratory testing and physical examinations to monitor your health. If your practitioner sees that your blood pressure has gradually been on the rise year after year, for example, they can start teaching you about lifestyle changes you can make now, before serious complications start to form.

In addition,  many new jobs or certifications require a physical exam before starting or to maintaining a certain license. Your child is also likely going to need a physical before starting a new school or a new sporting activity.

What happens during a physical exam?

Your physical exam at Dr. Grant Craig and Associates is tailored to your needs and overall health. In many cases, routine physicals include:

  • Body mass index (BMI) analysis
  • Blood pressure check
  • Respiration and heart rate evaluation
  • Blood or urine laboratory testing
  • Neurological testing
  • Abdominal exam

If you need a specialty physical, like for work or school, your dedicated provider may need to perform additional requested testing.

How do I prepare for a physical exam?

While not required, taking a few extra steps before your physical exam can help ensure you get a comprehensive checkup. We suggest that you:

  • Request medical records from other providers
  • Bring in your current medication bottles
  • Fill out new patient paperwork ahead of time
  • Have your current insurance card and valid ID

If your child’s school or your employer is requesting the physical, they’ll probably  provide you with some paperwork for your provider to complete. Bring all of that paperwork with you to your visit.

Book your physical exam at Dr. Grant Craig and Associates today by  calling the clinic directly.

Well Woman Exams Q & A

What happens during a well-woman exam?

Known as the foundation of your health, well-woman exams are essential for early detection of diseases and to ensure you’re in good overall health. Even though your well-woman exam is personalized to your needs and current health concerns, in most cases, it’s common for a well-woman exam to include:

  • Pap smear
  • Health history analysis
  • Pelvic and breast exam
  • Height and weight evaluation
  • Birth control counseling or administering
  • Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing

Your well-woman exam is also your one-on-one time with your dedicated practitioner. This is your chance to discuss your personal and family medical history, as well as any health changes or symptoms you’ve been experiencing since your last exam. Based on your conversation and physical exam, you might need additional bloodwork or urine laboratory testing.

How often do I need a well-woman exam?

In most cases, you need a well-woman exam annually. But in some cases, you might need further evaluations or follow-up visits if you have:

  • Abnormal Pap test
  • Lumps in your breasts
  • Discomfort during a pelvic exam
  • Family history of gynecological conditions

If you need further care after your well-woman visit, our team can schedule your exams or work with a specialist to ensure you get the care you need.

How do I prepare for a well-woman exam?

If possible, it’s best to schedule your well-woman exam during times when you’re not on your menstrual period. Sometimes, being on your period can make Pap smear testing less effective, which could provide you with inaccurate results.

It’s also helpful to bring in medical records from other providers that you’ve seen since your last well-woman exam. For instance, if you needed urgent care treatment for severe menstrual cramping or bleeding, get a copy of those records. Our providers can look over your reports and examine you to ensure you’re in good health.

If you know you need blood testing as part of your well-woman exam, you might need to fast beforehand. For example, it’s common to require fasting before blood glucose or cholesterol testing. But the team can let you know if this applies to you when booking your appointment.

Male Exams Q & A

What are the signs of prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is often symptom less in its early stages, which is why it’s so important to have your male exams, including a prostate check, at the recommended intervals.

In the cases where prostate cancer sufferers do have symptoms, they may experience some or all of the following.

  • Bone pain
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Difficulty emptying your bladder fully
  • Increased urge to urinate
  • Increased frequency of urination
  • Weak urine stream
  • Blood in urine

If you notice any of these signs, or if you’re due for a male exam, schedule your appointment with Dr. Craig and Associates as soon as possible.

When do I need a prostate check?

The American Cancer Association recommends that you should discuss prostate testing with your health care provider as follows.

  • At age 50 if you have average risk for prostate cancer, and if you expect to live 10 years or more
  • At age 45 if you’re at risk for prostate cancer due to family history, race, or other factors
  • At age 40 is you have high-risk for prostate cancer due to multiple close relatives having it at an early age

During your male exams, your provider will assess your risk factors and recommend current or future screenings where appropriate.

What does a male exam consist of?

During your male exam, you’ll discuss your medical history, your family history, and your current lifestyle with your care provider. This can help your care provider establish risk factors and potential problems.

A male exam usually consists of a general wellness checkup, which includes evaluation of all your vital signs, your heart function, your lung function, and your reflexes. Your provider may also check your eyes, ears, nose, throat, and other areas too.

A prostate check is often part of a male exam. You’ll likely do a prostate-specific antigen blood test, which requires a simple blood draw. Your prostate check may also include a digital rectal exam.

If you don’t have any signs of prostate cancer, your care provider uses your prostate-specific antigen blood test results to determine whether you need future testing yearly or every two years.

Book your appointment with us today.

 

Looking for more information?

American Diabetes Association website can be very helpful for all diabetic patients. It provides information regarding diet, exercise, medications and much more.

American Heart Association is a great resource for patients with any health issues related to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and much more.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides a wealth of information on many topics. You can search for diseases, immunizations, healthy living, travel medicine, and many more topics.

Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a wealth of knowledge. The information on the CHADD Web site is provided with the understanding that the organization is not engaged in rendering medical or legal advice or recommendations. You should not rely on any information on the Web site to replace consultations with qualified health care or legal professionals to meet your individual needs. References to any treatment or therapy option, or to any program, service or treatment do not constitute an official endorsement by CHADD. Parents and professionals are encouraged to fully investigate treatment options and providers that may be most appropriate for a specific individual.

The Attention Deficit Disorder Association
(ADDA) is the world’s leading adult ADHD organization. Their mission is to provide information, resources and networking opportunities to help adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) lead better lives. We are an international non-profit organization, founded twenty years ago by adult ADHD support group leaders to share information, resources, and provide support for one another. In the 20 years since its inception, ADDA has grown to become the source for information and resources exclusively for and about the adult ADHD community. Our goal is to generate hope, awareness, empowerment, and connections worldwide in the field of AD/HD. ADDA brings together scientific perspectives and the human experience. The information and resources provided to individuals and families affected by AD/HD and professionals who serve them focus on the diagnosis, treatments, strategies, and techniques for helping adults with AD/HD lead better lives.

National Center for Gender Issues and AD/HD has been developed to help you learn more about AD/HD in girls and women. They hope you find the information contained on their website useful and that you visit it often as they add content and other features.

Attention Deficit Disorders Association -Southern Region – Their mission is to provide a resource network, support individuals impacted by attention deficit disorder and related conditions, and to advocate for the development of community resources.

The A.D.D. Warehouse How can myADHD.com help you? With myADHD.com users (clinicians, parents, adults with ADHD, and educators) will have access to important ADHD rating scales, history forms, and treatment tools.

FamilyDoctor.org A great resource that provides health information for the whole family.