Physical examination
A physical examination (often called a "physical" or "clinical exam") is a routine test performed by a doctor or healthcare provider to check your overall health. It involves a systematic inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation of the body to detect any signs of disease or medical conditions.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s typically involved:
🩺 General Steps in a Physical Examination:
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Medical History Review
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The provider asks about symptoms, past illnesses, surgeries, medications, lifestyle, and family medical history.
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Vital Signs Check
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Blood pressure
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Heart rate (pulse)
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Respiratory rate
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Temperature
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Oxygen saturation (sometimes)
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Head-to-Toe Examination
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Head & Neck: Eyes, ears, throat, lymph nodes, thyroid
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Chest: Lung and heart sounds (with a stethoscope)
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Abdomen: Feel for masses or tenderness, listen for bowel sounds
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Musculoskeletal system: Joint mobility, muscle strength
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Nervous system: Reflexes, coordination, sensation
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Skin: Rashes, lesions, color changes
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Specialized Exams (based on age, sex, or symptoms)
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Breast exam
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Pelvic exam (for women)
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Testicular or prostate exam (for men)
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Eye and hearing tests
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Neurological assessment
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Follow-Up
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Lab tests (blood, urine) or imaging (X-ray, ultrasound) if needed
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Discussion of findings, recommendations, and treatment options
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About The Package
A physical examination (often called a "physical" or "clinical exam") is a routine test performed by a doctor or healthcare provider to check your overall health. It involves a systematic inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation of the body to detect any signs of disease or medical conditions.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s typically involved:
🩺 General Steps in a Physical Examination:
-
Medical History Review
-
The provider asks about symptoms, past illnesses, surgeries, medications, lifestyle, and family medical history.
-
-
Vital Signs Check
-
Blood pressure
-
Heart rate (pulse)
-
Respiratory rate
-
Temperature
-
Oxygen saturation (sometimes)
-
-
Head-to-Toe Examination
-
Head & Neck: Eyes, ears, throat, lymph nodes, thyroid
-
Chest: Lung and heart sounds (with a stethoscope)
-
Abdomen: Feel for masses or tenderness, listen for bowel sounds
-
Musculoskeletal system: Joint mobility, muscle strength
-
Nervous system: Reflexes, coordination, sensation
-
Skin: Rashes, lesions, color changes
-
-
Specialized Exams (based on age, sex, or symptoms)
-
Breast exam
-
Pelvic exam (for women)
-
Testicular or prostate exam (for men)
-
Eye and hearing tests
-
Neurological assessment
-
-
Follow-Up
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Lab tests (blood, urine) or imaging (X-ray, ultrasound) if needed
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Discussion of findings, recommendations, and treatment options
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
Basic Inclusions in a Standard Physical Examination Package:
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Consultation
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General physician consultation
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Medical history review
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Vital Signs & Measurements
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Height and weight
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Body Mass Index (BMI)
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Blood pressure
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Pulse rate
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Temperature
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Laboratory Tests
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Complete Blood Count (CBC)
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Urine analysis
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Blood sugar (Fasting & Postprandial)
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Lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL)
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Liver function test (LFT)
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Kidney function test (KFT)
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Thyroid function test (T3, T4, TSH)
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Imaging & Diagnostics
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Chest X-ray
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ECG (Electrocardiogram)
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Ultrasound (Abdomen and Pelvis)
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Eye exam (Vision test)
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Hearing test (Audiometry)
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System Check-ups
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Cardiovascular system check
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Respiratory system assessment
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Abdominal examination
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Musculoskeletal & neurological assessment
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🔍 Additional Inclusions (Depending on the Package Level):
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Advanced cardiac evaluation (Treadmill test or 2D Echo)
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Pap smear (for women)
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Mammogram (for women 40+)
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Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test (for men 50+)
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Vitamin D & B12 levels
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HIV, Hepatitis B/C tests
🧑⚕️ Package Types:
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Basic / Executive Health Check-up
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Comprehensive Health Package
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Senior Citizen Health Package
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Women's Wellness Package
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Pre-employment or Pre-insurance Medical Exam
Exclusions
Common Exclusions in Physical Examination Packages:
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Treatment of Detected Conditions
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If any disease or abnormality is found, the treatment, medications, or procedures are usually not included.
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Specialist Consultations
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Visits to specialists like a cardiologist, endocrinologist, or gynecologist are often not covered unless the package specifically states so.
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High-End Diagnostic Tests
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CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, and advanced radiology tests are usually not part of standard packages.
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Genetic testing or advanced cancer markers may also be excluded.
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Emergency Services
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If complications occur or an emergency arises during the check-up, emergency care is billed separately.
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Surgeries or Procedures
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Any minor or major procedures (e.g., biopsies, endoscopies, dental treatments) are usually not included.
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Vaccinations
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Most check-up packages do not include immunizations like flu shots, hepatitis vaccines, etc.
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Follow-Up Tests or Appointments
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Repeat tests or follow-up consultations are generally not part of the original package.
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Non-Medical Services
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Services like diet counseling, physical therapy, mental health counseling, or cosmetic consultations may be excluded unless part of a wellness plan.
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Insurance Limitations
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Some packages may not be claimable under health insurance, depending on your policy.
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About The Treatment
A Health Check-Up is a preventive medical examination designed to assess your overall health status and detect early signs of diseases or risk factors. These check-ups typically include a series of physical examinations, laboratory tests, and diagnostic screenings tailored to age, gender, medical history, and lifestyle.
Routine health check-ups are essential for early detection of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and cancer. They help doctors monitor critical indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, organ function, and more. Depending on the package or provider, a health check-up can range from basic blood tests to advanced imaging like CT scans or full-body MRIs.