Introduction

A full-body test can be a beneficial step in taking control of your health and well-being. These tests are done to monitor and track overall bodily health. They can also assist in tracking any issues that may be present in your body. Your doctor might use your checkup to recommend health and lifestyle changes. If you are considering getting a full body check, it's important to be well-prepared before undergoing such an extensive medical examination. This article provides better insight into a full-body examination and what you need to do to prepare for it. 

What is a Full Body Checkup Test?

Full-body examinations often involve a comprehensive physical exam, screens, and vital sign checks. Your doctor will generally review your medical history and recommend any additional testing, lifestyle changes, or potential conditions to monitor for. A full-body checkup test is essential, as it can also detect any risk factors that may be present in your body. This can help physicians come up with a treatment plan to avoid any life-threatening diseases and issues.

These checkups aim to help prevent illnesses or problems from occurring or to detect them early on before they advance. Some tests look for risks associated with recognised illnesses, such as diabetes or cancer. In other circumstances, physicians conduct wellness checks to treat existing illnesses, manage symptoms, and enhance quality of life. 

It is also important to know what is generally covered under a full body check. Listed below are some parameters that are generally covered when you get such medical checkups done:

  1. Vital signs such as your temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure

  2. The visual examination consists of checking your general physical appearance, such as your eyes, skin, ears, and head. Tools are used to check your body parts for any physical abnormalities, like lymph nodes in the neck, tonsils, etc.

  3. A cardiac and respiratory function examination is done to check and keep track of your heart health. The stethoscope is used by doctors to check your heart for any irregular rhythms or murmurs. Similarly, it is also used to check your lung function and keep an eye out for any wheezing or other breathing issues.

  4. Blood tests cover a varying number of parameters that include but are not limited to glucose, platelet count, vitamin count, etc.

  5. Urine tests are done to check for certain diseases as well as to keep track of the health of specific body parts, such as the kidney and liver. 

  6. Special exams are sometimes included when the patient is female. Pelvic exams and pap smears are commonly done to check and keep track of reproductive health. They can also be used to screen for cancerous cells as well as any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Mammograms can also be done to check for any abnormalities or lumps in your breasts. 

  7. Special medical exams are included if the patient is male. These include tests like prostate exams and colonoscopies. These tests are done to check for lumps and abnormal formations, as well as specific types of cancer and STDs. 

  8. Other tests that are sometimes included in certain full-body checkup tests include mental health checkups, tests for neurological conditions, pregnancy screenings, and special lung cancer screenings (if you have a history of smoking).

As for the full body checkup price, the range largely varies based on several reasons. Different kinds of full-body exams cover different parameters and have different kinds of tests, affecting the overall cost. Not only this but where you reside in the country also plays a major role in dictating how much you will have to pay for the checkup. In general, though, the pricing for such full body checks starts at Rs. 1,499 and can go anywhere up to Rs. 5,500 and more, depending on the kind of test you opt for. 

5 Essential Things to Keep in Mind Before a Full Body Test

You need to keep several things in mind before getting a full-body test done. This is necessary for a lot of reasons, such as to get accurate results and to mentally and physically be prepared for the test as well. Five of the most important things that you need to keep in mind when getting a full body checkup have been listed below for your reference:

  1. Ensure that you are well rested.

A minimum of 6 to 8 hours of sleep is necessary for any human being to function properly. You must ensure that you get the required amount of rest and sleep before a full-body exam. A minimum of 6 to 8 hours of high-quality sleep is required for adequate blood flow and muscular contraction.

  1. Track what you eat.

It is always advised that you fast for 8 to 12 hours before your full body examination. To avoid dehydration during this brief duration, only drinking water is allowed. Not only this, but you should also avoid eating any salty or fatty food items before your testing. Junk foods that have high salt and fat contents can affect the body’s sugar levels and are recommended to be avoided before such medical tests.

  1. Avoid any alcohol consumption before your test.

Alcohol as a substance in its entirety is not healthy for you and your body. However, it is necessary that, even if you do consume it, you do it in moderation. Another important factor is that you should completely avoid alcohol at least for 24 hours before the full body checkup test.

  1. Get rest, and do not engage in extreme workout sessions.

Heavy workouts like extreme cardio and weight lifting contribute towards increasing your pulse rate, heart rate, and blood flow in your body. It is usually advised by medical practitioners to avoid such heavy and rigorous workouts before any full-body testing is done.

  1. Check with your physician for special requirements:

Certain tests that are part of a full body checkup require special preparations beforehand. It is always essential to convey your full medical history to your doctor and inquire about any special requirements. For example, if you are to take the treadmill test and regularly take beta blocker medications, you would need to wait at least three days before taking this test. This is to ensure that the medication is completely flushed out of your system. Similarly, certain tests require a minimum of 8 to 12 hours of fasting. Other than this, you might also be consulted to stop any routine medications you may be prescribed ahead of the examination to ensure accurate results.

Conclusion

Getting a full-body checkup can be the key to maintaining your health and keeping track of certain conditions and issues. There are also certain requirements you need to keep in mind before going for such medical examinations. However, many of the specific instructions are conditional, depending on the precise symptoms and aim of the test. If you have any questions regarding your medical check or lab tests, be vocal about them and approach your doctor.