17366 Physical Examination

Overview

A physical examination is a hands-on check of your body by a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional. It is sometimes called a 'physical' or a 'general check-up'. During the exam, your clinician looks at you, listens to your heart and lungs, feels parts of your body, and asks questions about how you have been feeling. It helps them understand your general health, spot early signs of problems, and work out what might be causing any symptoms you have. A physical examination is not a single test — it is a set of simple checks put together, and it is usually quick and painless.

Yes — physical examinations are one of the most common things that happen in healthcare. They are done in routine check-ups, when you feel unwell, before starting a new medicine, before an operation, and as part of care for long-term conditions.

Everyone can have a physical examination at some point — babies, children, teenagers, adults, and older people. What is checked changes with your age, sex, health history, and the reason for your visit. For example, a child's check may focus on growth and development, while an older adult's check may focus on blood pressure, balance, and medicines.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Feeling generally tired, run down, or 'not yourself' without a clear reason
• Pain, aches, or stiffness anywhere in the body
• A cough, sore throat, or other cold-like symptoms that are not settling
• Feeling short of breath or getting breathless more easily than usual
• Changes in weight, appetite, or digestion
• A new lump, bump, rash, or mark on the skin
• Dizziness, headaches, or trouble sleeping
• Needing a check-up for a long-term condition, a work or travel form, or a sports or school medical

Symptoms in children

• Fever, poor feeding, or fewer wet nappies in a baby
• Not growing or gaining weight as expected
• Delay in sitting, walking, or talking
• Frequent crying, tummy pain, or ear pulling
• Rashes, skin problems, or unusual marks
• Behaviour or mood changes at home or school

Symptoms in older adults

• Falls or unsteadiness when walking
• Memory or thinking changes
• Feeling dizzy when standing up
• New confusion or sudden changes in behaviour
• Trouble with hearing, eyesight, or swallowing
• Side effects from medicines, or questions about several medicines at once

Causes

Main causes

• A routine check-up or 'well person' visit, even when you feel fine
• New symptoms that need to be looked at, such as pain, a cough, or a rash
• Follow-up for a long-term condition like high blood pressure, asthma, or diabetes
• A review before starting a new treatment or before an operation
• Paperwork such as insurance, school, sports, work, or travel medicals
• A screening or health check programme, such as a cervical screening or an NHS Health Check

Risk factors

• Having a long-term health condition that needs regular review
• Taking several medicines, which may need checking now and then
• A family history of a health problem your clinician wants to keep an eye on
• Being older, when some checks become more important
• Being pregnant, or planning a pregnancy
• Smoking, drinking a lot of alcohol, or having a job with physical demands
• Living with stress, poor sleep, or low mood, which can affect your body as well as your mind

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You have any of the emergency or urgent warning signs listed above
• A symptom is getting worse day by day, or is stopping you from eating, drinking, or sleeping
• You have a high temperature that will not come down, or you feel very unwell very quickly
• You have a new lump, a change in a mole, or bleeding you cannot explain

Book a routine appointment if:

• You feel 'not quite right' and it has lasted more than a couple of weeks
• You want a general check-up or advice on staying healthy
• You need a review of a long-term condition or your medicines
• You are due a screening test or vaccination
• You would like to talk about sleep, stress, weight, smoking, or alcohol

Diagnosis

A physical examination is itself a way of gathering information, not a diagnosis on its own. Your clinician will start by asking about your symptoms, your health history, your family history, and any medicines you take. Then they will do the hands-on checks that make sense for you. They may look at your skin, feel your neck or tummy, listen to your chest with a stethoscope (a listening tool), and check your blood pressure. Afterwards they will explain what they found and whether anything needs following up. Sometimes the exam shows everything is normal. Other times it points to a possible cause, and further tests may be suggested to confirm it.

Tests that may be done

• Measuring height, weight, and waist
• Blood pressure and pulse (heart rate) check
• Listening to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope
• Looking in your ears, nose, and throat
• Checking your eyes, and sometimes your vision
• Feeling your neck, armpits, or groin for swollen glands
• Feeling your tummy (abdomen) to check for tenderness or swelling
• Checking your joints and muscles for movement and strength
• Looking at your skin, hair, and nails
• A brief check of your mood and memory, if relevant
• Blood or urine tests, swabs, or scans, if the exam suggests they are needed

What to expect at your appointment

You will usually be seen in a private room. Your clinician will explain what they are going to do before they do it. They will ask you to undress only for the part being checked, and you will be given a screen, sheet, or gown to keep covered. You can bring a friend or family member with you, and you can ask for a chaperone. Some checks, like a breast, genital, or rectal exam, are only done when there is a clear reason — and you can always ask to stop or delay. At the end, you should have a chance to ask questions. It can help to write down your questions beforehand, and to ask for the main points in writing if you might forget them.

Treatment

A physical examination is not a treatment in itself — it is a way of finding out what is going on so that the right care can be offered. What happens next depends completely on what is found. For many people, the answer is 'all is well' and no treatment is needed. For others, the exam may lead to a blood test, a scan, a referral to a specialist, or a plan to manage a long-term condition. Your clinician should explain the options and involve you in the decision.

Self-care at home

• Make a list of your symptoms, when they started, and what makes them better or worse
• Bring a list of all your medicines, including anything you buy without a prescription, plus vitamins and supplements
• Write down your top two or three questions so you do not forget them
• Wear loose, easy-to-remove clothing and shoes
• Bring a friend or family member if you would like support or a second pair of ears
• Ask for an interpreter if you need one — this is your right
• Ask for a chaperone if you would feel more comfortable
• Afterwards, note down what was said and any next steps, or ask for them in writing

Medical treatments

If the exam finds something that needs care, your clinician will talk you through the options. These might include watching and waiting to see how things go, lifestyle changes such as diet, activity, sleep, or quitting smoking, talking therapies, physiotherapy, or medicines prescribed by your clinician. If a medicine is offered, ask what it is for, how long you may need it, and what side effects to look out for. You should never feel rushed — it is fine to take time to think, or to ask for a second appointment to discuss it.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is only considered when other options are not suitable or have not worked, and when an operation would clearly help. A physical exam can sometimes lead to a referral to a surgeon for an opinion, but most people who have a check-up never need an operation. If surgery is ever suggested, your care team should explain the benefits, the risks, and the alternatives, and give you time to decide.

Living with this condition

Looking after your health day to day is mostly about small, steady habits rather than big dramatic changes. Keep track of how you feel — a simple note on your phone or a notebook is enough. Go to your routine checks when invited, and book an appointment when something changes and does not settle. It also helps to know your own numbers, such as your blood pressure if it has been checked, so you can notice trends over time.

Lifestyle tips

• Move your body in a way you enjoy most days — walking, gardening, dancing, or swimming all count
• Eat a varied diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit, and fibre
• Keep alcohol within the recommended limits, and avoid smoking or vaping
• Get enough sleep, and keep a regular bedtime where you can
• Stay connected with friends, family, or community groups
• Take medicines as agreed with your clinician, and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure
• Keep a simple record of symptoms, appointments, and test results

Diet and exercise

You do not need a perfect diet or an intense gym routine. Aim for regular meals, plenty of plants, and water through the day. For activity, the general advice is to move most days and to add some strength work, like carrying bags or doing chair exercises, a couple of times a week. If you have a health condition, are pregnant, or have not exercised in a while, ask your clinician or a physiotherapist what is safe for you to start with.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Health appointments can bring up worry — about what might be found, about being examined, or about results. Feeling anxious is very common and understandable. It can help to say out loud that you are nervous, to bring someone with you, and to ask for things to be explained slowly. If worry, low mood, or stress is affecting your sleep, appetite, work, or relationships, please tell your clinician. Mental health is part of your physical health, and support is available. If you ever feel unsafe or have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a crisis line in your country straight away — you deserve immediate help.

Prevention

You cannot 'prevent' a physical examination — it is a check, not an illness. But you can make check-ups more useful by going when invited and by preparing for them. Regular check-ups can help spot problems early, when they are often easier to manage.

Vaccines

Routine check-ups are a good chance to make sure your vaccinations are up to date. Your clinician or pharmacist can tell you which vaccinations are recommended for your age, health, and country of residence.

Screening programmes

Screening programmes vary by country. Common examples include blood pressure checks, cervical screening, breast screening, bowel screening, and diabetic eye checks. Your local health service can tell you what you are eligible for and when. If you are invited to a screening, it is your choice — ask questions so you can decide what feels right for you.

Complications

If left untreated

• Health problems may be found later, when they are harder to treat
• Small changes, like a rising blood pressure, may go unnoticed for longer
• Symptoms that worry you may cause ongoing stress without an explanation
• You may miss out on vaccinations or screening you are due
• Medicines may be continued longer than needed, or may interact with each other without anyone checking

Long-term outlook

For most people, a physical examination is reassuring and uneventful — nothing worrying is found, and you leave with a clearer picture of your health. When something is picked up, finding it early is usually a good thing, because there is more that can be done. Whatever the result, you are not on your own: your care team is there to explain, support, and plan the next step with you. Keep asking questions — that is exactly what check-ups are for.

Find support

External links open third-party websites. Ruqelo Health is not responsible for external content. Listing an organisation does not imply endorsement.