General health assessment
A nurse will measure your weight, your height and your abdominal circumference as well as your blood pressure while lying down and while standing upright.
She will also do a peak flow measurement. This means that you will be asked to blow into a disposable apparatus placed in your mouth. This test is used to check the respiratory function.
The doctor will take a short history and do a complete physical examination.
The purpose is to examine :
- the eyes,
- the ears,
- the mouth,
- the skin,
- the thyroid gland,
- the joints and their mobility,
- the abdomen,
- the genital organs,
- the presence of lymph nodes and the heart,
- the arteries and the lungs,
- and the neurological system.
Rectal examination (man)
Using a disposable glove, the doctor examines the anal area and the prostate to determine the size, the consistency and the presence of nodules.
This examination is necessary for men over 45, and is recommended from the age of 40 years
Gynaecological examination (woman)
Includes different aspects, all performed by entitled practitioners :
Inspection and palpation of the breasts (this is done by the radiologist if a mammogram is planned)
The doctor does a vaginal examination and ensures that there is no inflammation, infection or prolaps.
The uterus and ovaries are examined for size and consistency to exclude cysts or fibromas.
Then a speculum is inserted to visualize the cervix and a pap-smear is done with a cervical brush. The cells that have been removed are placed in a small vial and sent to the laboratory. There the cells are examined to detect cancerous cells and other anomalies.