A complete health assessment performed on a regular basis can maximize your health, renew your doctor-patient relationship, and give you the opportunity to have your health concerns addressed. While it's no longer deemed necessary to see your doctor stirctly every year, having visits at regular intervals is still important— the needed frequency of your visits depends on your age, physical condition, and medical history.

A health maintenance evaluation includes identifying risk factors in your personal and family health history, performing a focused exam, obtaining needed screening tests, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices.

Women and men have many of the same health problems, but they can affect women differently. For example, women may have different symptoms of heart disease. Some diseases or conditions are more common in women, such as osteoarthritis, obesity and depression. And some conditions, such as menopause and pregnancy, are unique to women.

Women sometimes neglect their own health and focus instead on their partner's and their children's. Take care of yourself first by getting regular checkups and screenings, like mammograms and Pap smears. Early detection is important for treating breast, cervical, uterine and ovarian cancer.

While the life expectancy gap between men and women has decreased, it's no secret that men still need to pay more attention to their bodies. Several things work against men. They tend to smoke and drink more than women. They don't seek medical help as often as women. Some men define themselves by their work, which can add to stress.

There are also health conditions that only affect men, such as prostate cancer and low testosterone. Important health issues also include prostate health, sexual function, erectile dysfunction, sexually transmitted diseases, testicular self-examination to screen for cancer, and genetic hair loss. Many of the major health risks that men face, like colon cancer or heart disease, can be prevented and treated with early diagnosis. Screening tests can find diseases early, when they are easier to treat. It's important to have regular checkups and screenings.

Your child's health includes his or her physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Most parents know the basics of keeping children healthy, like offering them healthy foods, making sure they get enough sleep and exercise, and insuring their safety. It is also important for children to get regular checkups with their healthcare provider. These visits are a chance to check your child's development. They are also a good time to catch or prevent problems.

Other than checkups, school-age children should be seen for significant weight gain or loss, sleep problems or change in behavior, fever higher than 102°F (39°C), rashes or skin infections, frequent sore throats, and breathing problems. We also perform school-related physicals. It is recommended that you schedule the appointment well before school starts to allow enough time for a follow-up if needed.

The sports physical exam, also known as a preparticipation physical examination (PPE), helps determine whether it's safe for an athlete to participate in a particular sport. It screens for medical problems that may compromise the athlete's ability to compete safely. Your child should have the physical about 6 weeks before the sports season begins so there's enough time, if necessary, for a follow-up.

Most states require that children and adolescents have a sports physical before they can start a new sport or competitive season. Even if a PPE isn't required, many doctors still highly recommend getting one. However, it is important to note that a sports physical is not meant to be a substitute for a more comprehensive health evaluation.

The two main parts to a sports physical are the medical history and the physical exam. Under the medical history component, the athlete will be asked to provide information about any current or past illnesses (such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy), serious illnesses among family members, previous hospitalizations or surgeries, allergies, past injuries (including concussions, sprains, or bone fractures), feelings of dizziness or chest pain during exercise, and current medications.

During the physical part of the exam, the doctor will typically record the athlete's height and weight; take a blood pressure and pulse (heart rate and rhythm) reading; do a vision test; check the heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat; and evaluate the joints, strength, posture, and flexibility.