Annual physical exam checklist for men

The annual physical exam is an important part of a man’s life. The key components to a complete exam are not just a physical exam, but also checkups for wellness.

Men should see their doctor annually for:

  • A prostate specific antigen (PSA) test;
  • A testosterone level check;
  • A full blood count (FBC) to be looked for any signs of infection or anaemia;
  • Cholesterol and triglycerides levels;
  • Chest X-ray if men are over 50 years old or have had chest pain in the last 12 months.

 

senior man at a doctor’s appointment to get medical prescription

Why men need yearly checkups?

Men are less likely to go to the doctor than women. This is because they are more likely to believe that they are invincible and can’t get sick.

Numerous studies found that men are less likely to ask for help from their doctors than women. This is why it’s important for men to go for a yearly checkup, so they can catch any health problems early on before it becomes too late.

An annual physical exam achieves two purposes. First, specialists gain access to the required data to understand what current health problems there might be. Men should also ask the right questions at their yearly physical to get answers themselves from specialists. Secondly, doctors have the chance to observe the onset of a condition before it develops into a life threatening illness.

Physical symptoms, family history, lifestyle, and the results of the tests help doctors better understand how to improve the quality of life. Therefore, men are able to lead better lives and prevent future health complications just by committing to yearly checkups.

Health tests for men under 40

Men should visit their doctor regularly even though they feel healthy and display no worrisome symptoms. Men between 18 and 39 need to go on doctor’s appointments at least once a year in order to:

  • Screen for medical issues;
  • Build a healthy habit;
  • Get up to date with vaccinations;
  • Get familiar with their health provider for better disease mitigation when they are afflicted;
  • Assess their risk of future health risks;
  • Get preventive treatments, if any.

There are many conditions that men can develop without them being aware of them. For instance, high blood pressure leaves no signs to the naked eye, and only regular tests can detect it. Therefore, most of the health test men under 40 should consider exist with the purpose of getting a clear health situation and taking preventive measures if necessary.

Here are the tests doctors usually recommend the majority of men under 40:

  • Blood pressure checks;
  • Physical examination;
  • Cholesterol screening;
  • Blood tests;
  • Dental examinations;
  • Eye examinations;
  • Flu immunization;
  • A one-time test for hepatitis C.

Health tests for men between 40 and 60 years of age

Men in their 40s and 50s are often advised to undergo a number of health tests. These include prostate cancer screening, colonoscopy, and blood tests for cholesterol and diabetes. 

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is the most common screening test for prostate cancer. It can detect the presence of a tumor before any symptoms appear. The PSA test is done with a blood sample. 

A colonoscopy is an examination of the large intestine. It employs a flexible tube with a light and camera on one end that’s inserted into the rectum up into the colon, which is then pulled out through the anus. It can detect polyps that may be cancerous, ulcers that could become cancerous, and other changes.

The American Diabetes Association recommends people with diabetes undergo a risk assessment. This is a necessary investigation to find out how high their risk of developing diabetes is and what steps they can take to prevent it. 

Other health tests for men between 40 and 60 may include:

  • Blood pressure screening;
  • Physical examination;
  • Colorectal cancer screening;
  • Dental examinations;
  • Eye examinations.

Health tests for men aged 60+

The American Urological Association recommends that men aged 60+ should be tested for prostate cancer and heart disease.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men, with one in six men developing it at some point in their lives. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among both sexes, with one in four deaths being due to it. It’s important to get screened for these diseases since they can be treated if caught early enough.

Further health tests for men over 60 are:

  • Blood pressure screening;
  • Colorectal cancer exam;
  • Periodontal examination;
  • Hearing test;
  • Bone density scan;
  • Skin check
  • Diabetese test;
  • Prostate cancer screening.

What vaccines should men get?

Vaccines are a way to protect your body from diseases. They work by introducing a small amount of the virus or bacteria into your body so that it can build up immunity. Vaccines can be administered through injection, nasal spray, or orally.

There are vaccines for men that help protect against different types of cancer, as well as infections like hepatitis B and HPV. Men should get vaccinated against these diseases to help prevent them from developing in the future and spreading to other people.       

Here is an exhaustive list with vaccines any man should get:

  • Tdap;
  • HPV;
  • Hepatitis B;
  • Hepatitis A;
  • Meningitis;
  • Pneumococcal disease;
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella;
  • Shingles;
  • Seasonal flu;
  • Covid-19 vaccination.

What does an online consultation involve?

Online doctor consultations for men are becoming more and more popular. There are many reasons why this is happening. One of the main reasons is that men have a hard time finding the drive to visit a physical cabinet since they jump to the conclusion that nothing bad can happen to them. Another reason is that they don’t want to go to the hospital because they feel vulnerable.

Online consultations for men are also very convenient because they can be done at any time of day, any day of the week, and from anywhere in the world. This means that people who work full-time jobs can still get their medical needs met without having to miss work or school.

An online consultation is a virtual meeting between a patient and a doctor. It can be done through video chat, phone call or email. The purpose of this consultation is to provide medical advice and treatment to the patient.

Some people prefer online consultations because they are more convenient than going to the doctor’s office. Others may not have access to a doctor in their area or they may not have time for an appointment.

Online consultations are also beneficial for people who live in remote areas with limited access to healthcare services. They can get medical advice from doctors who are located in other parts of the world and have different expertise than what is available locally.

Nonetheless, while online consultations or telehealth is more convenient and help minimizing the spread of infectious diseases, there are also certain disadvantages. There is no viable way to conduct a phyisical exam online while implementation is hindered by unclear regulations. 

 

Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy.  Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911. 

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