The Encyclopedia of Surgery defines a physical as an examination designed to determine your current state of health. In most cases, an average annual physical includes obtaining general information in the form of a patient history, followed by a...
Hemoglobin is an important part of your blood that helps deliver iron and oxygen to healthy tissues. It's made up of four protein molecules called globulin chains. Two are alpha globulin, and two are beta globulin chains. The normal hemoglobin...
Kidney failure, referred to as renal failure, is a condition most often caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, and can ultimately affect all parts of the body, including muscles, systems and organs. According to the University of Maryland...
During your annual physical examination, your physician may test your cholesterol levels to determine whether they are within a healthy range. This may leave you wondering what exactly those ranges are. By knowing these ranges, you can better...
A complete blood count, also known as a CBC, is a common blood test. The test measures the number of white cells and the number of red cells in a measure of blood. The test also measures the amount of hemoglobin in the red cells, the ratio of red...
Cholesterol refers to a type of fat produced by the liver. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute indicates that the body makes all of the cholesterol it needs. However, eating certain foods can increase the amount of unhealthy cholesterol,...
Getting an annual exam helps supplement a healthy lifestyle. What happens in male physical exams depends on factors such as a male's age and any underlying reasons for his visit. For example, a male may suspect that he is ill or be compelled to...
Hyperglycemia (or high blood sugar) can be a warning sign that something is not right with the way that you metabolize glucose. It can also be one of the first symptoms of diabetes. Your body depends on well-regulated levels of blood glucose to...
High cholesterol is considered one of a number of silent killers--diseases that put people at risk for premature death before their first symptoms occur. By the time symptoms do appear, the disease may have progressed to the point where expensive...
Men should have regular physical exams even if they are healthy. Conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure often do not produce symptoms until advanced stages. Visiting your doctor regularly also helps maintain a relationship in...
Even if you're not familiar with the dozens of other results from a blood test, chances are you have an intimate knowledge of what your cholesterol levels should be. Consumers have been well educated by the media and the medical community about...
The human body produces a hormone known as insulin. This hormone helps the body process sugar and starches found in food and use it for fuel. In some people, the body does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use the insulin it produces,...
As you age, it is natural for your body to perform less optimally than desired. Muscles lose mass and become less efficient, according to MayoClinic.com. Degenerative conditions such as osteoporosis cause bones to become more brittle. If women...
Heart disease is to blame as the number one killer of women who live in the United States. Though heart disease may be caused by passed-on heredity traits, the largest risk factor is a high level of cholesterol in the blood stream, says the Rush...
For U.S. citizens over age 65 or those under age 65 with certain disabilities, Medicare provides coverage for hospital stays, doctor's visits, preventive care and prescriptions, depending on which parts of the plan you choose. For some Medicare...
Omega-6 is an essential fatty acid found in foods such as red meat and pork and in some vegetable oils. Along with omega-3, omega-6 is important to good health. Essential fatty acids help your brain function better and contribute to healthy skin,...
Blood glucose is an important source of fuel for the body. It is the preferred fuel of the brain and working muscles, and under normal circumstances is readily available in the blood. Glucose starts out as carbohydrate in the diet, and it is...
Doctors often order an electrolyte panel as part of the routine blood tests you might expect with an annual physical. The test can help your doctor determine the state of your health, especially during an illness, such as the flu, or if you have a...
Dysplasia is a term that describes abnormal cell growth on the body. Different types of dysplasia diseases can affect different areas of the body, including the cervix, bones and cardiovascular system, specifically the arteries. Dysplasia diseases...
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 57,750 people in the United States were diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma or kidney cancer in 2009. Obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, protracted kidney dialysis, and exposure to asbestos...
Blood glucose (also known as blood sugar) is one of the body's primary sources of fuel. It is the preferred source of fuel by the brain and muscles and is important for producing energy. Glucose comes from carbohydrates in the diet and is...
The liver has a variety of functions, including converting food into energy, aiding in digestion and eliminating alcohol from the blood, according to MedlinePlus. Diseases of the liver can result from lifestyle, behaviors or infections. There are...
In 2010, health insurance still remains a widespread debate among people from every social class and walk of life. How to get it and how to pay for it is one of the main concerns among humans and especially those who have children to care for....
Cancer is a disease in which abnormal malignant cells begin to grow and spread in the body. These cells eventually form tumors, which, if they remain undetected, may spread to other parts of the body. The type of treatment for cancer depends on...
Having a healthy heart is something that you should not take for granted. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. While heart disease or heart-related...
People tend to have a love affair with the sun, as they flock to the beach and purchase various bronzing agents to create the perfect tan. Unfortunately, the sun produces damaging ultraviolet rays that penetrate the layers of the skin to create...
Atherosclerosis is a type of a generalized cardiovascular disease called arteriosclerosis that affects primarily the coronary arteries in the heart. It can also play a major role in the carotid arteries and arteries of the lower extremities. The...
Potassium is a positively charged element in your body that reacts with other body fluids to produce an electrical reaction, according to MedlinePlus. By doing this, potassium helps to maintain balance in your body and helps to regulate muscle and...
Childhood cancers are hard to indentify, but seventy five percent of childhood cancers can be cured. Learn about childhood cancers in this video.
Chronic kidney disease is caused by a variety factors but is a preventable disease. In this video learn more about its various forms and how it can be prevented and treated.
