My Memorial Docs: Memorial Clinical Associates

Physicals and Well Woman Exams: A Guide to Yearly Health Tests

An annual physical provides your primary doctor with the opportunity to accurately gauge your health status and catch the signs of any potential disease or illness. An annual physical is also a good time to ask your doctor any questions you might have about your health, risk factors, and lifestyle. The basics exams performed during a yearly physical are standard across most adults, but they will also vary depending your gender and age. If you are a female of average age and good health, you can expect some of the following during your next physical checkup.

The Basics

During your yearly physical appointment, your doctor will check the following:

• Medical History: This includes an update of past personal and family conditions, notes on any current complaints or symptoms you might be experiencing, a check of your vaccination status, and an account of lifestyle behaviors (smoking/alcohol use, sexual health, exercise, diet, etc) that may have an impact on your health.
• Vital Signs: These include blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature.
• Heart Performance: Your doctor will listen to your heart using a stethoscope in order to detect an arrhythmia or other signs of irregularity.
• Lung Performance: Your doctor will also listen to your lungs to detect any wheezing or decreased functionality in your breathing.
• Head and Neck Status: Next, your physician will examine your throat, ears, and nose to check your tonsils, lymph nodes, thyroid, sinuses, teeth and gums.
• Abdominal Status: Your doctor will apply pressure to your abdomen to check your liver size, identify any excess abdominal fluid, and detect areas of tenderness.
• Neurological Status: In this section of the physical exam, your nerves, muscle capacity, reflexes, and sense of balance will be tested.
• Lab Work: Laboratory tests that are commonly performed include a blood count, a chemistry panel, and a urinalysis.

 More Tests for Females

In addition to the exams above, which are performed on both males and females, women also require the following yearly tests:

• Breast Exam: Your doctor will gently massage your breast to check for abnormal lumps and will also examine the lymph nodes under your arms to check for tenderness or swelling.
• Pelvic Exam: A pelvic exam involves the inspection of the vulva, the vagina, and the cervix for signs of sexually transmitted disease or other infections (yeast, bacterial, etc.). A pap smear will also be performed to screen for cervical cancer.

Is it about time for your yearly physical? If you live in the Houston area, schedule a convenient appointment with one of our primary care doctors at Memorial Clinical Associates. Visit us online, or call us today at (713) 407-3067 to schedule an appointment.

Visiting your Primary Doctor: Resources for Further Reading

Are you suffering from a chronic wound or ulcer? How can you find the right doctor to address your medical and scheduling needs? A primary care physician can offer both general and specialized health care, caring for you and your family at various stages of health and aging. For more information about the care provided by a top primary doctor, read some of the online resources below.

• Unlike small cuts and scrapes, some wounds may not heal properly or at all. For more information about the most common types of non-healing wounds, visit Medscape Reference for an overview of chronic wounds.
• If you are diabetic, you may be at risk for developing chronic wounds. Read this article from the American Academy of Family Physicians for tips on how to prevent diabetic foot ulcers and other non-healing wounds.
• This article from diabetes.org provides an overview of the most common complications associated with diabetes, including non-healing wounds, ulcers, and amputations.
• Is your primary doctor affiliated with the American Medical Association? Visit the AMA website to learn more about the qualifications and standards required for membership.

If you are searching for a primary physician, the doctors at Memorial Clinical Associates are here to help you. Our Houston team includes a qualified, caring doctor to care for your health and medical needs. Visit us online, or call us today at (713) 407-3067 to schedule an appointment.

Qualities to Look for in a Primary Doctor

Despite the growing need for medical professionals, you may be surprised to learn that many Americans do not have a primary care physician. If you are seeking a primary doctor for your family, consider these important qualities to look for in a family doctor.

License and Accreditation

It is important to find a physician that is licensed and board-certified by the state. As a good rule of thumb, try to find a physician that is also accredited by the American Medical Association or American Board of Internal Medicine, as this ensures that he or she is fully trained in the field and receives ongoing education regarding newer medical technologies and treatments.

Reputation and Service Record

Once you’ve verified that the doctor is licensed and certified, examine his or her reputation and service record. Ask friends and family for referrals, or consider visiting the office in person to familiarize yourself with the level of service, professionalism, and rapport the office provides. This will also allow you to gauge how comfortable you feel around the medical and supporting staff.

Availability

A doctor may be considered one of the best primary doctors in the Houston area, but they may not always be available to meet your medical or scheduling needs. Choose a doctor who devotes time to all of his or her patients equally, addressing all of your concerns and questions. Have the clinic provide you with emergency contact information in case you need to reach your physician immediately and look for offices that provide convenient, online scheduling to help you manage your time and health.

If you are searching for a primary physician, the doctors at Memorial Clinical Associates are here to help you. Our Houston team includes a qualified, caring doctor to care for your health and medical needs. Visit us online, or call us today at (713) 407-3067 to schedule an appointment.

What's Your T-Score? Bone Density Scans to Detect Osteoporosis

Most women find that the density of their bones decreases over time as part of the natural aging process. In the video below, learn about the uses of bone density scans and T-scores in detecting osteoporosis and helping you stay active.

During a bone density test, your primary doctor will have you lay down on a scanning table. A scanning arm then painlessly and non-invasively scans your spine and hips in order to determine your current bone density. A T-score between 0 and -1 is considered normal bone density, whereas a T-score of -1 to -2.49 is referred to as osteopenia, or low bone mass. 

Osteoporosis is a debilitating condition that often leads to a variety of complications. Avoid fractures and broken bones by contacting the doctors with Memorial Clinical Associates. Visit us online, or call us today at (713) 407-3067 to schedule an appointment.

Specialized Care for Chronic and Non-Healing Wounds

Approximately 5.7 million individuals currently suffer from chronic or non-healing wounds in the United States. If you or a loved one is suffering from a chronic wound, it may be time to contact your primary care doctor. Before you schedule a consultation with your primary physician or specialty clinic, consider why chronic and non-healing wounds require specialized care.

Chronic Wounds

A chronic or non-healing wound is generally any wound that does not start to heal within 4 weeks or has not completely healed after 8 weeks. The most common types of chronic or non-healing wounds include:

• Diabetic foot ulcers: Often located on the ball of the foot or on the bottom of the big toe, diabetic foot ulcers are typically caused by neuropathy, nerve damage, and poor circulation.
• Pressure ulcers: Pressure ulcers are caused by constant pressure against the skin that reduces blood supply and forces the tissue to die.
• Venous stasis ulcers: Caused by a breakdown of the skin due to fluid buildup or venous insufficiency, venous stasis ulcers are typically more common for individuals who are obese, have blood clots, varicose veins, or have had any previous leg injury.

Other types of non-healing wounds include those caused by traumatic injury, surgical wounds, and radiation-induced tissue injures.

Complications

It is important to seek professional care from your primary doctor at the first sign of an ulceration or chronic wound. Untreated non-healing wounds can lead to a variety of complications, including infection, gangrene, and even loss of limb. In fact, studies show that diabetic foot ulcers are the leading cause of leg and foot amputations in the United States.

If you are suffering from a chronic wound, the doctors at Memorial Clinical Associates are here to help you. Our Houston team includes qualified, caring doctors to care for the adults in your family. Visit us online, or call us today at (713) 407-3067 to schedule an appointment.