(Snippets from the frontline)
Listen to my heart, doctor!
A doctor visit is not cheap. It not only takes time and effort (especially for those older adults with mobility or transportation problems), but may also lead to other costly testing or consultation referrals.
Physicians go through rigorous training learning skills to define symptoms, and then decide on a treatment plan to bring a patient back to normal health. Decision-making comes from history taking, and the physical exam.
Ask yourself: When was the last time your primary care doctor (or even specialist) did a physical exam on you? Usually it doesn’t take more than 5 minutes, but the findings could give you a lifetime.
Shining a light in the eyes, and assessing their movement can tell a physician about the patient’s neurologic status. Oral exam can show poor dentition or throat problems. The neck can reveal swollen glands or abnormal sounds.
A stethoscope can hear unusual new lung or heart sounds. Pressing on the abdomen might find tenderness, enlarged organs, or even masses.
Checking the legs can uncover swelling related to congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or circulation problems.
It is a valuable few minutes.
Make sure you get your money’s worth visiting your doctor.
Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.
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