Comprehensive Medical Evaluation at J. Flowers Health Institute

A comprehensive medical evaluation from J. Flowers Health Institute can help you get the care and support you need for your symptoms.

Author: J. Flowers Health Staff

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Dive Deep Into Your Health With J. Flowers Health Institute

Experience the assurance of complete health understanding with our comprehensive medical evaluation. At J. Flowers Health Institute, Dr. James S. Flowers and our proficient team take a holistic approach to understanding all aspects of your health.

By personalizing each evaluation according to individual needs, we ensure that we thoroughly investigate all potential health concerns. Whether you’re in the heart of the Texas Medical Center or our state-of-the-art London, UK facility, we make your health our priority.

Uncover and Understand Your Health Status

A comprehensive medical evaluation serves as a deep dive into your current health. It offers an opportunity to reveal potential ailments and provide a pathway to optimal well-being.

This preventative approach is valuable for everyone, regardless of age or current health status. It is an ideal method to prevent potential health complications.

A routine comprehensive medical evaluation is instrumental in keeping an eye on your health. Depending on your age and personal circumstances, we recommend these evaluations be conducted annually or biannually.

What Types of Doctors Are Involved In a Comprehensive Medical Evaluation?

There are multiple healthcare providers involved in a medical evaluation. A complete medical examination typically begins with a nurse or a healthcare provider that gathers information about the patient’s health status and medical history.

Then, the patient will meet with a physician who will conduct the remainder of the physical exams. The doctor might then refer the patient to other specialists or order specific screenings or testing.

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How Is a Comprehensive Medical Evaluation Performed?

A comprehensive medical evaluation is a thorough assessment of your health. It’s like a full-body check-up that can help find potential health issues before they become serious. Here’s how it’s typically performed:

Initial Consultation

The first step in a comprehensive medical evaluation is an initial consultation. This is a conversation between you and your doctor.

You’ll talk about any symptoms you’re experiencing and any health concerns you have. This conversation helps your doctor understand what tests or screenings might be necessary.

Test and Screenings

Depending on your age and health history, you’ll be asked to undergo certain tests and screenings. These may include lab tests, X-rays, scans, or other forms of imaging.

You may also need to complete lifestyle assessments, such as physical activity tracking or dietary evaluations.

Follow-Up Consultation

After your tests are complete, you’ll have a follow-up consultation with your doctor. During this consultation, your doctor will discuss the results of your tests with you.

If any health issues are found, your doctor will talk to you about next steps. This could include treatment options, lifestyle changes, or further testing.

What Does a Standard Comprehensive Medical Evaluation Include?

While medical evaluations will change from person to person, they will typically include:

Updated Medical History

The cornerstone of every comprehensive medical evaluation is an updated medical history. This involves a detailed discussion about your past and present health conditions. You’ll be asked about any illnesses or surgeries you’ve had, medications you’re taking, and any allergies you may have.

Family health history is also important, as some health conditions can run in families. This information helps the doctor understand your health background and any potential health risks.

Vital Signs Checks

Vital signs are basic measurements of your body’s basic functions. During a comprehensive medical evaluation, your doctor will check four key vital signs: temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure.

Visual Exam

This is when the doctor looks at your body for any signs of health issues. They will typically examine your:¹

Skin
Eyes
Head
Chest
Abdomen
Elbows and joints
Musculoskeletal system
Nervous system functions

Physical Exam

The physical exam is the hands-on part of the comprehensive medical evaluation. The doctor will listen to your heart and lungs, check your abdomen for any unusual sounds or tenderness, and examine other parts of your body.

They may also measure your height, weight, and blood pressure. These checks help the doctor detect any abnormalities that could suggest a health issue.

Laboratory Tests

Laboratory tests involve examining samples of blood, urine, or other body tissues. These tests can help identify health conditions that might not be found with a physical exam, such as a thyroid issue.

For example, a blood test can show if you have high cholesterol or diabetes. A urine test can reveal problems such as a urinary tract infection or kidney disease.

Imaging Studies

Imaging studies create pictures of the inside of your body. These can include X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. These images can help your doctor see if there’s anything unusual in your organs, bones, or tissues.

For example, an X-ray can show if you have a broken bone, and a CT scan can reveal tumors or other abnormalities.

Screening Tests

Screening tests are an important part of a comprehensive medical evaluation. These tests can help find diseases like cancer or diabetes early on, when they’re easier to treat.

For Women

There are many important screening tests for women, such as:

Mammogram

A mammogram is a type of test that checks for breast cancer. During a mammogram, your breasts are compressed between two plates, and X-rays are taken to create images of the inside of your breasts.

These images can show lumps or other abnormalities that might be signs of breast cancer. It’s recommended that all women over 40 should get a mammogram every 1-2 years.

Pap Smear

A pap smear checks for cervical cancer. During a pap smear, a small brush is used to collect cells from your cervix, which is the lower part of your uterus. These cells are then examined under a microscope to see if there could be signs of cervical cancer.

Women should start getting pap smears at age 21, and continue to get them every 3-5 years depending on their age and risk factors.

Pelvic Exam

A pelvic exam can be conducted with or without a pap smear screening. During a pelvic exam, the doctor will examine the vagina, cervix, and vulva to check for sexually transmitted infections or other conditions.

This exam can help detect gynecological problems, including early stages of cancer. It’s recommended that women between the ages of 21 and 65 get a pelvic exam once every 1-3 years.

Other Tests

Besides these more common tests, there are other screening tests that may be recommended for some women depending on their age and risk factors.

These include blood tests to test for high cholesterol or diabetes, a bone density scan to check for osteoporosis, and an ultrasound to check for ovarian cancer.

Your doctor can help you decide which tests may be right for you. It’s important to stay up-to-date on your health screenings in order to catch any potential problems as early as possible.

For Men

Tests for men often look different than tests for women. These can include:

Prostate Cancer Screening: Prostate screening can involve a blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, and/or a rectal exam. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in your blood, and high levels can be a sign of cancer. The rectal exam involves the doctor using a gloved finger to feel the prostate for any bumps or hard areas that might suggest cancer. Starting at the age of 50, prostate cancer screening might be necessary for some men.
Testicular Exam: A testicular exam checks for lumps, changes in size, or irregularities in the testicles, which can be signs of testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is most common in men between the ages of 15 and 34.
Cholesterol Test: A cholesterol test measures the levels of different types of cholesterol in your blood. High levels of certain types of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. Men should begin regular cholesterol checks at the age of 35. Your doctor may recommend more frequent tests if you are at a higher risk of heart disease due to factors such as age, smoking, or family history.

For Both Men and Women

Some tests are important for both men and women to receive. These can include:

Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer screening tests check for signs of cancer in your colon and rectum. These tests can include a colonoscopy, which uses a long, flexible tube to look at the inside of your colon. It may also include a stool test, which checks for blood in your stool.

Screening for colon cancer is recommended starting at the age of 50 for both men and women but might be needed earlier, depending on individual medical history.

Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer screening tests look for signs of the disease in people who are at higher risk, especially due to age and smoking history. These tests usually include a low-dose CT scan or an X-ray.

Your doctor may recommend this type of screening if you’re between 55 and 80 years old and have a significant smoking history.

Depression

Screening for symptoms of depression is also recommended in a comprehensive medical evaluation. This is due to the fact that it is estimated that 1 in 5 American adults experience a mental health issue each year.²

Depression screening typically involves answering a series of questions that can help identify symptoms of depression. If you’re feeling down, hopeless, or not enjoying the activities that you used to, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor about a depression screening.

Diabetes

If a person has a family history of diabetes or is at risk for developing diabetes (e.g., being overweight, having high blood pressure, or high cholesterol), they should be screened for diabetes.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations protect you from certain diseases. During a comprehensive medical evaluation, your doctor will check if you’re up to date on your vaccinations. This can include vaccines for diseases like the flu, shingles, pneumonia, and others.

STI Screening

Depending on a person’s sexual history, they might undergo a sexually transmitted infection screening to check for any issues that need addressing. This might include HIV testing or testing for syphilis.

How To Prepare for a Comprehensive Medical Evaluation

Unless a specific test is being done that requires no eating for a certain number of hours beforehand, there is not much that has to be done before undergoing a comprehensive medical evaluation.

However, you can be prepared by:

Making a List of Your Symptoms

If you’re experiencing any symptoms, write them down before your appointment. Try to be as detailed as possible. Include when the symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, and how they impact your daily life.

If You’re Taking Any Medications

Bring a list of any medications you are currently taking, including the dosage and frequency. This includes prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, vitamins, or herbs.

Gathering Medical Records

If possible, bring your medical records from other doctors that you have seen in the past. This will help provide your doctor with an overall picture of your health.

This can include details about any allergies, lab tests, or other information.

Asking Questions

A comprehensive medical evaluation is a perfect time to ask a doctor questions and discuss overall health and what changes might need to take place.

It’s also important to be prepared to answer questions about health and lifestyle, such as diet, sleep habits, exercise, alcohol or substance use, and stress.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Comprehensive Medical Evaluation?

A comprehensive medical evaluation gives the opportunity to have a thorough understanding of health as a whole. Oftentimes, people only visit healthcare providers when they have a specific issue, so having a full evaluation done gives an idea of current health.

It also helps to identify any health problems and gives an opportunity to create a plan to improve health. Medical evaluations help keep track of health and keep all health information on file, making it easier for future healthcare providers to refer back to.

Look Deeper Into the Root Cause of Multiple Issues

Sometimes, health issues can be interconnected. For example, stress can lead to sleep problems, which can then affect your physical health.

A comprehensive medical evaluation can help identify these connections and provide a deeper understanding of your health. This can help your doctor develop a treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your health issues, rather than just treating the symptoms.

Build a Relationship With a Doctor

Another benefit of having a complete medical examination is being able to create a relationship with a physician. Because doctor’s appointments are often brief, a person might not feel like they have the opportunity for their healthcare provider to get the full picture of their health.

It is important for doctors to know as much as they can about their patient, even if it’s small details about what impacts their daily life (such as stressors). Not all medications or treatments are right for everyone, so it is important to have healthcare that is tailored to a person’s individual needs.

A comprehensive medical evaluation gives a person the opportunity and time to talk to their doctor about concerns and create a plan for how to make changes. Having a good relationship with a physician makes it easier to discuss sensitive health concerns or fears.

Identify Health Issues

A comprehensive medical evaluation helps a doctor identify any potential problems causing negative symptoms.

Routine check-ups do not involve the same level of thoroughness in testing and examination as a comprehensive evaluation does, so problems that might be missed during check-ups can be identified in a comprehensive evaluation.

Having complete testing done allows a person to know for certain that they are in good health, and it allows them to identify and tackle potential health issues.

Prevent Health Issues

A major benefit of having a complete physical examination done is to help prevent issues for which there is an increased risk. It can give more information on which problems could be avoided by changing lifestyle habits or by taking medications.

How Often Should a Person Have a Complete Physical Examination?

In the 1940s, conducting routine comprehensive physical examinations became standard medical practice. However, in recent decades, healthcare providers have begun to question whether they are really necessary every year.

While approximately 92% of Americans believe that a person should get an annual or routine physical examination done, only 62% actually do.³

The frequency of a comprehensive medical evaluation often depends on your age and overall health status. Generally, younger individuals with no chronic health conditions might only need a check-up every two to three years.

Routine Examinations

Routine physical examinations are very important for older adults who have a higher chance of developing a health-related issue.

Amongst those under the age of 40, if a person is healthy, they only need a complete physical examination every 5 years. Those above the age of 40 might need one every 1-3 years.⁴

Personalized Approach

Remember, everyone is unique. What works for one person might not work for another. Your doctor can help you determine the frequency of comprehensive medical evaluations that’s right for you based on your personal health history, current health status, and any risk factors you may have.

This personalized approach ensures that you receive the care you need, when you need it.

Discover Your Path to Optimal Health with J. Flowers Health Institute

Optimal health doesn’t happen by chance. It is achieved by understanding the root causes of your health challenges and addressing them with a comprehensive plan.

At J. Flowers Health Institute, our commitment is to provide unparalleled medical evaluations to help you return to health, regardless of the complexity of your condition.

How Can We Help?

Our “Living MRI” program will thoroughly review your medical history and design an individualized evaluation schedule just for you. We focus on understanding the root causes of your health impairments and creating an effective treatment plan with your goals in mind.

The end result is a detailed report and action plan tailored to your needs, outlining how to tackle your health issues and optimize your life. We’ll provide you with the knowledge and resources to take control of your health and start achieving results.

Get In Touch Today

At J. Flowers Health Institute, we believe that optimal health should be easy to achieve. With our comprehensive medical evaluations and personalized approach, you can get back on track and realize a healthier, happier you!