Many people view their yearly physical with their doctor as a chore or hassle. Some even view it as unnecessary. However, a yearly physical is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and gives your doctor the opportunity to discuss your current physical state with you, as well as answer any questions you may have about your own health and whether or not your lifestyle is healthy.

What to expect at your yearly physical
Your yearly physical is a way for your doctor to make sure everything in your body is running smoothly. He or she will listen to your lungs and heart for vital sounds with a stethoscope, take your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature, weigh and measure you, examine your abdomen for signs of unusual masses or anything that seems enlarged, check your hearing, and so forth. He or she may also do a blood test or urinalysis.

If you want to make the most of your yearly physical, then be prepared to ask your doctor some questions. The following are questions to ask your doctor at your yearly physical:

• Am I at a healthy weight? Many serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis are the result of being overweight. Ask your doctor if you are at a healthy weight, and if not, find out what your healthy weight range or BMI (body mass index) is. Then see what you need to do to either lose weight or gain weight.
  
• Is my blood pressure normal? You should ask your doctor what your blood pressure numbers mean, how often you should have your levels checked, and whether or not you need to lower your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is high, ask your doctor if you need to take medication to lower it, what foods you should be eating and avoiding, and how much physical activity you should get.

• What about my cholesterol? Like blood pressure, you should ask if your cholesterol levels are normal and if not, what you need to do as far as diet, exercise, and medication are concerned to lower it.
  
• Does my lifestyle put me at a health risk? Your lifestyle may be putting you at risk, even if you don't realize it. For example, if you love to run and run several miles a day, you may be putting too much stress on your joints. Do you have a high-stress job that could put you at risk for a stroke or heart attack? These are all things to ask your doctor.

Other things to ask
You should make a list of anything you are concerned about and talk to your doctor about your specific concerns. This could be anything from medications you are taking to pain you might be feeling.

In addition, women should speak with their doctor about anything they are concerned about, such as breast cancer, how often you should be screened, birth control, side effects, and other issues specific to women. Men should also ask their doctor about things such as testicular cancer.

Your yearly physical is a time for your doctor to examine you to make sure you are healthy. It's also a good time for you to discuss with him or her anything about your health you have questions about. The above questions are things you should ask your doctor at your yearly physical.