Kick the New Year Off With Preventive Checkups for the Entire Family
After the presents have all been opened and holiday parties ended, it’s the perfect time to plan you and your family’s yearly physicals. Dr. Rogers Walker and his caring team at Walker Urgent & Family Care in Little River, South Carolina help you give the gift of preventative healthcare to everyone in your family.
The case for yearly check-ups
Annual physicals can shed light on key medical issues before they develop into deeper problems. Dr. Walker and his team:
- Take a detailed family medical history to foresee any possible health issues
- Diagnose problems early through exams and screenings
- Discuss ways to adjust potentially harmful lifestyle choices, such as smoking and overeating, to help prevent future illnesses
How to prepare for your test
Bring copies of your medical records and a list of all your medications and herbal supplements. Think about what issues, such as any unusual symptoms or pain, you want to discuss with Dr. Walker. There are no right or wrong questions, just good health.
During the exam
Dr. Walker compiles a detailed medical history and notes all medications taken. He also discusses any health-related concerns. He and his staff screen:
- Temperature
- Blood pressure
- Height and weight
- Eyes, ears, mouth, and nose
- Heart and lungs
In addition, Dr. Walker examines your body for lumps or other abnormalities. He schedules imaging tests or lab work to check cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and more to identify any heart disease, thyroid disorders, cancer, or other chronic illnesses. He also ensures you and your family remain up to date on immunizations.
Lab tests may include:
- Complete blood count to check for anemia, infections, and more
- Urinalysis, to uncover blood, proteins, or other issues
- Renal panel, to test kidney function
- Liver panel
- Lipid panel for cholesterol
- Blood glucose, to screen for pre-diabetes or diabetes
Schedule regular physicals for your children
Dr. Walker also helps your kids stay healthy through yearly exams. He makes sure their immunizations are current and discusses any developmental issues or concerns. Dr. Walker and his staff:
- Screen for vision, hearing, blood pressure, and more
- Compare your child’s growth with others their age by measuring height, weight, and body mass index (BMI)
- Immunize for tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis booster (Tdap), human papillomavirus (HPV), and flu
- Discuss sleep, eating, and exercise routines, as well as sports- or stress-related injuries
Dr. Walker focuses on such childhood and teen issues as:
- Sudden changes in weight, eating, or sleep habits
- Menstrual problems
- Skin infections or rashes
- Chronic breathing problems
A wonderful practice
Flu season is here. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates 1.7 million people have already been infected with flu in 2019. According to South Carolina's Department of Health, a flu vaccination remains the best way to prevent this potentially deadly disease from spreading.
Begin each year by scheduling physical exams for you and your family to help keep everyone’s good health in check. Book an appointment with Dr. Walker online or by phone today.