Types of Doctor Physicals

Every adult should visit his doctor on a regular basis, even if he is healthy. Regular physical exams help ensure that health problems are prevented or are caught in time to begin a course of treatment and bring about the best outcome possible. They also give the doctor more information about the patient's general health should a problem arise in the future. The purpose of a physical exam varies. Sometimes they are meant to screen for disease or assess risk for future medical problems. Other times, they are required to certify an individual is healthy enough to perform certain tasks.

Pre-Employment Exams

• After a person is offered a job, a pre-placement or pre-employment exam may be administered. The exam is performed with special attention paid to the job duties that will be required, including the physical requirements and whether potential exposure to certain materials poses a special danger for the employee. After the exam, the doctor provides a written opinion about how suitable the person is for performing the job without health or safety risk to themselves or others.

Sports Physicals

• In the U.S. alone, millions of athletes undergo evaluations every year to test their ability to participate in sports. This is done on every level, from youth leagues to professional sports. There are several goals of a sports physical:
  Determine the general health of the athlete
  Assess the athlete's current fitness level
  Evaluate the extent of of any existing injuries
  Assess the size and developmental maturation of younger athletes
  Detect possible conditioning issues that could put them at risk

Breast Exams

• Breast exams, whether done by the individual or her doctor, have one goal in mind--to detect cancer as early as possible. Regular self-exams not only help with early detection, but also help women familiarize themselves with how their breasts should feel when healthy. If something changes, women should contact their doctor immediately for further testing.

  Just remember that finding a change or lump in your breast does not mean you need to panic. Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice changes to your breasts, and they may proceed with a clinical breast exam, mammogram, and ultrasound. Breast cancer is rare in men. But, according to the American Cancer Society, in 2009 there were about 1,910 new cases of invasive breast cancer expected to be diagnosed in men. (SEE COMMENT SECTION FOR REF)

Eye Exams

• Routine eye exams are not only used to detect vision problems, but also eye disease and general health problems. Some eye diseases, such as glaucoma or diabetic eye disease, do not have symptoms in their early stages. Eye exams are also important for children, as vision is closely linked to the learning process. Most experts recommend an eye exam every 1-3 years.