Medical Check Up, Here's What You Need to Know

Medical check-up is a comprehensive health examination. Through this examination it is expected that an illness or health disorder can be detected early. This test is also useful for planning appropriate treatment and treatment methods before the disease develops. During a medical check-up, the patient will undergo a number of stages of a thorough examination, in the form of a consultation regarding complaints that are being felt, recording and examinations relating to medical history, examination of vital signs of the body and general physical condition.

Medical Check Up Indications

Although not required, medical check-ups have become routine health checks. Patients can consult a doctor at any time and do not need to wait until the onset of illness or deterioration in health conditions. Regular medical check-ups can increase the chance to stay healthy and have a longer life. The following are the goals of regular medical check-ups to the doctor:

• Knowing the latest health conditions in order to prepare for early treatment if disease or health problems are found.
• Knowing the risks of disease that may arise later in life.
• Encourage patients to switch to a healthy lifestyle.

Warning:

The following are a number of things that must be considered before conducting a medical check-up. Among others are:

• Inform your doctor if you are on a particular diet or diet.
• Inform the doctor about medicines, including supplements and herbal products, which are being consumed.
• Inform the doctor about changes that occur in the body, such as the appearance of a lump.
• Tell your doctor if you are experiencing dizziness, fatigue, urination or bowel obstruction, changes in the menstrual cycle, depression, or anxiety.

Before Medical Check Up

There are several things that need to be prepared before a medical check-up. Patients are advised to bring important medical data, such as X-rays or the results of previous medical examinations. Also ask your doctor or paramedics about the need for fasting before an examination. Before a series of examinations are carried out, a questionnaire will be given containing questions that refer to current and previous health conditions. Provide a list of drugs, supplements, or herbs that are being consumed. Every time you do a medical check-up, always try to be accompanied by family or close relatives.

Medical Check Up Procedure

The forms of tests in medical check-ups vary greatly. The test will be adjusted to the age, sex and health condition of the patient. A complete health examination includes:

Medical history examination

At the initial stage of medical check-up, patients will be asked about a number of health complaints that are experienced. The doctor will also ask some questions about lifestyle, such as diet, exercise intensity, smoking habits, or consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Vital sign examination

The vital signs examined include:

- Heart rate frequency. Normal heart rate is 60-100 times per minute.
- respiratory rate. Normal breathing ranges between 12-20 times per minute.
- Body temperature. Normal normal body temperature ranges from 36-37 degrees Celsius.
- Blood pressure. Blood pressure that is said to be normal is 90/60 mmHg to below 120/80 mmHg.

Physical examination

Before a physical examination, the doctor will ask to remove clothing and accessories that attach to the body, including the makeup used. Tell your doctor if you feel uncomfortable to take off your clothes. Physical examination will start from measuring weight and height, to find out if there is a lack or excess weight. Furthermore, the doctor will examine carefully all parts of the body from head to foot. The person being examined can be asked to stand, sit, or sleep on his back according to the area to be examined. Starting from seeing if there are abnormalities on the skin, pressing and tapping certain body parts. If there is pain when pressing or tapping, inform the doctor. In women, breast examination will be done by looking at and pressing the breast area, with prior permission. The doctor will also examine the fold area such as the armpit or groin to detect possible lumps that arise in the area. The doctor will use aids such as an otoscope to check the state of the ear and a stethoscope to hear the sound of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. Some checks, such as muscle strength tests, require the cooperation of the person being examined to make movements according to what the doctor ordered. Do not hesitate to ask the doctor about the instructions ordered, if you do not understand. On physical examination, including genital examination. Men will have their penis and testes examined, for infections, inflammation, changes in size, and lumps that may arise. To examine the prostate, the doctor will do a digital rectal examination to feel the presence or absence of enlargement of the size of the prostate gland. Whereas in women, the vaginal, vulva, and cervical areas will be examined.

Supporting investigation

Laboratory examination

Laboratory tests can be done with blood, urine, and stool samples to see the number of blood cells, chemicals that are markers of organ function, cholesterol, blood sugar, and abnormalities in urine and stool, both in physical appearance, contained chemicals, and microscopically. using a microscope aid. Depending on the purpose of the medical check-up, sometimes examination of tumor markers in the body is also carried out.

Imaging examination

Imaging examinations such as ultrasound and X-ray images are used to see the condition of organs such as the lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, and bladder, and prostate in men and uterus in women. In women, breast X-ray examination (mammography) or breast ultrasound (breast) will be done to detect breast tumors.

Cardiac examination

Cardiac examination or electrocardiography (ECG) is a test to record the electrical activity of the heart using small electrodes attached to the skin of the chest, arms and legs. ECG examination can be done in a lying position or while doing activities, such as running on a treadmill machine.

Paps smear

Paps smears are recommended for women who are 21 years old and have had sexual relations, every 3 years to detect cervical cancer. After the age of 30 years, women are recommended to do a pap smear once every 5 years, whereas after the age of 65 years, there is no need to do a pap smear examination, if no complaints arise.

After Medical Check Up

If abnormalities are found in the results of medical check-ups, it will be advisable to carry out further evaluations of these abnormalities. The doctor will also suggest implementing a healthy lifestyle, whether found or not, such as:

• Eat healthy food.

Increase the portion of vegetables and fruits, and limit consumption of fatty foods.

• Exercise regularly.

Take time to exercise at least 150 minutes per week, for example by walking, to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

• Quit smoking.

As a person ages, it is advisable to carry out regular health checks to prevent potential diseases or health problems. Medical check-up is recommended for adults (over 18 years) with a frequency of 5 years until the age of 40 years. For those over the age of 40 years, it is recommended to do a medical check-up with a frequency every 1-3 years.

Medical Check Up Risk

Each examination in a medical check-up has uses and benefits, as well as side effects. One of them is X-ray examination that can make the body exposed to radiation, even though in very small amounts. Therefore, the doctor will assess the advantages and disadvantages of each form of medical check-up that will be done.