If you have been going to the doctor since you were little, you probably know the basic routine by now. Nurses or doctors will test your blood pressure, check your reflexes and ask some standard questions. You might be familiar with the process, but this does not mean you know why everything occurs. Many people let doctors work without knowing the reason behind an action, but here are some things your doctor may be checking on during your visit.
Weight Concerns
You can lie on your drivers license, but you cannot escape the scale at your doctors office. This is a good thing because knowing your weight helps your doctor determine conditions you are at risk for. Changes in your weight can also be helpful when diagnosing conditions.
Examining Your Eyes and Ears
The eye and ear part of an examination is so common that you probably do not even think about what your doctor is doing. Your eyes are checked for bleeding, narrowed arteries and yellowing, and that annoying light is shined in your eyes to inspect the retinas. Doctors examine the ear canal to look at the eardrum and check for fluid or other problems that could mean an infection.
Why Temperature Always Matters
While someone always takes your temperature, you might think the doctor does not even glance at the reading. However, doctors need this information because temperature measurement systems are important for accuracy and precision when determining illnesses. Your symptoms and temperature tell a doctor whether you have a common cold or something that needs a specific treatment plan and can give your doctor information about the safest way to proceed.
What Is On The Inside
Doctors feel, listen to and press on the abdominal area to check the stomach, spleen, kidneys and more. Along with noting any pain or tenderness you feel, doctors may also be checking for fluid, determining how big your liver is and listening for abnormal sounds with a stethoscope.
Testing Movements
Medical professionals discover information about your joints and extremities by feeling your arms and legs for abnormalities and having you perform movements to test for joint problems. They also check for pulses and unusual sounds in your arms and legs to learn about blood vessels, deteriorating joints and problems that are not visible.
When you know what your doctor checks for, you can provide better information and ask relevant questions. This lets your doctor make accurate conclusions and give you appropriate advice.