What should be checked during a physical examination

Physical examination usually includes basic items such as blood routine, urine routine, liver function, kidney function, blood glucose, blood lipids, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasound, etc. Special examinations can also be added according to age, gender, medical history, etc.

1. Blood routine examination

Blood routine examination mainly detects indicators such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, etc., which helps to detect anemia, infections, blood system diseases, and other problems. Low red blood cell count may indicate anemia, elevated white blood cell count may be related to bacterial infection, and platelet abnormalities may affect coagulation function. Blood routine is one of the most basic examination items in physical examination, which can reflect the basic health status of the body.

2. Urine routine examination

Urine routine examination can preliminarily determine kidney function and urinary system health status by analyzing the protein, sugar, red blood cells, white blood cells and other components in urine. Positive urinary protein may indicate kidney disease, elevated urine sugar may be related to diabetes, and increased red blood cells in urine may reflect the presence of inflammation or stones in the urinary system. Urine routine examination is simple and non-invasive, but it is of great significance for health assessment.

3. Liver Function

Liver function tests mainly detect indicators such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin, which can evaluate the metabolism, detoxification, and synthesis functions of the liver. Elevated transaminase levels may indicate liver damage, while abnormal bilirubin levels may be associated with liver and gallbladder diseases. People who drink alcohol, take medication, or have hepatitis for a long time should pay more attention to liver function tests in order to detect liver problems in a timely manner.

4. Electrocardiogram

Electrocardiogram examination can detect heart diseases such as arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, and myocardial infarction by recording cardiac electrical activity. Abnormal electrocardiogram may manifest as ST segment changes, T wave inversion, conduction block, etc. Middle aged and elderly people, as well as those with a family history of cardiovascular disease or high-risk populations such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia, should undergo regular electrocardiogram examinations to detect heart problems early.

5. Chest X-ray

Chest X-ray examination can observe the morphology of chest organs such as the lungs, heart, and mediastinum, which can help detect diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung tumors, and heart enlargement. Long term smokers, individuals with respiratory symptoms or occupational exposure to dust should pay attention to chest X-ray examination. Chest X-ray examination has a low radiation dose and is a commonly used method for screening chest diseases. The physical examination items should be personalized according to individual age, gender, occupational characteristics, family medical history, and other factors. It is recommended to undergo a comprehensive physical examination once a year, and those over 40 years old or with a history of chronic diseases should increase the frequency of physical examinations appropriately. Before the physical examination, one should maintain a normal daily routine, avoid vigorous exercise and alcohol consumption, and undergo a blood test on an empty stomach for 8-12 hours. After the physical examination, the report should be properly kept and compared with previous years' results. If any abnormalities are found, seek medical attention for re examination in a timely manner.