Physicals

Annual physicals make it easy to stay on top of your health. They present opportunities to ask your doctor questions, update your immunizations, undergo sex-specific screenings, and more. At Mederi Urgent Care in the Melrose Hill neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, the team of primary care physicians provides physical exams to people of all ages. Call Mederi Urgent Care today to schedule a physical for yourself or your child, or book your appointment online.

Are physicals the same thing as physical exams?

Yes. Physicals and physical exams refer to the same thing –– an assessment of your general health. The Mederi Urgent Care team encourages everyone to schedule an annual physical exam. Since many chronic illnesses develop slowly, routine checkups make it easier to catch potential problems before they get worse.

Why are physicals important?

Physical exams are important for several reasons. They:

• Present an opportunity to check your overall health
• Catch underlying health problems like high blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Allow you to update your immunizations
• Provide one-on-one time with your primary care doctor

Physicals can also help you maintain your job and/or academic enrollment. Some jobs require employees to undergo routine physicals. Similarly, many schools require students to have physicals before each new academic year.

What do physicals involve?

At Mederi Urgent Care, physicals include:

Head-to-toe exam

Your provider measures your height, weighs you, and takes your blood pressure. They listen to your heart and respiratory rate and complete a comprehensive physical exam.

Specifically, your provider checks your skin for abnormal moles or growths, examines your ears, eyes, nose, and throat, and gently presses on your abdomen to check your internal organs. They also complete sex-specific screenings, like a prostate or breast exam.

Immunizations

Immunizations, or vaccinations, help your immune system defend against harmful pathogens, like viruses and bacteria. Some vaccines require booster shots every few years, while others require annual updates.

Lab testing

Lab testing analyzes your blood, urine, and/or saliva for underlying health problems, like nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances. It’s a minimally invasive way to ensure that you stay healthy.

Health counseling

Your doctor makes time to answer your questions and concerns at the end of a physical. They also provide personalized health counseling. For instance, if you want to lose weight, they make diet and exercise recommendations to help you achieve your goals.

What happens after a physical?

After your physical, you can return to your routine. If you need your doctor to sign paperwork for your employer or school, your provider fills it out and gives it to you.

A week or two after your visit, the Mederi Urgent Care team contacts you with the results of your lab tests. If any of your results are abnormal, the team explains the following steps and can provide a specialist referral.

Call Mederi Urgent Care today to schedule a physical exam for yourself or your child, or book an appointment online.