Yearly medical physicals are helpful for your overall well-being. The annual check-up usually is a fairly short doctor visit, but it can yield long lists of information if you prepare ahead of time and determine what it is you wish to get out of the visit. While you may wish to discuss ongoing health issues, it usually is a good idea to save those conversations for a visit devoted to them. Instead, many physicians urge patients to make disease prevention and ongoing health the focus for yearly check ups.

What to do before your doctor visit:

1. Medical History - Previous conditions help your physician learn more about you and your health.

C Write down any major illnesses, injuries or other health issues that you previously have experienced.

- Make note of dates of treatment, what type of treatment (surgery, medication, and hospitalization), where treatment was conducted, and physician at the time

- If you have any of the medical documentation or reports such as x-rays or CT scans, these could be helpful to your current healthcare provider

2. Family History - Gathering family history helps doctors see if you could be at risk for certain diseases based on hereditary factors.

- Talk to family members and learn about what diseases appear to run in your family. Cardiovascular disease (for example, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol), cancer, and diabetes are some of the conditions you may find are common in your family.

- If someone in your family has had a major health issue such as those listed above, make note of the person's relationship to you (grandmother, father, brother, child, etc), the approximate date/age he or she was diagnosed, and current age

3. Current conditions / Medications - Letting your doctor know everything about your current state of health helps rule out certain conditions and/or treat you more effectively.

- If you are undergoing treatment for any current conditions, make note of what the condition is, how long you have been under treatment, who is the treating physician, and any medications you are taking as a result

- Note any over the counter medications, vitamins or supplements you regularly consume

- Make note of any reactions you have had to medications, as well as any known allergies

4. Immunizations

- If you are seeing a new doctor or one that would not know your full immunization record, make sure to note what immunizations you have had and dates those were administered.

5. Personal questions - Asking thoughtful questions helps you feel more comfortable and helps your doctor see that you understand and care about your health.

- Make a note of any questions you have regarding your current and future health.

- Prioritize your list of questions to be sure that you address those you feel are most important or pressing at this time.

- When you ask your doctor about questions or issues of concern, be sure to ask for him or her to speak to you in a way that you understand. If you are confused by the explanation you receive, ask clarifying questions to be sure that you have an understanding of what it is you are asking about, as well as what you can do in the future.

- If you feel that your doctor is busy and rushing through some of your questions, ask if you can make an appointment with your doctor or nurse practitioner at another time to address your concerns

- If you are not sure what to ask, the following are some suggestions:

* Do I need any screening tests at this point in my life?

* Based on my medical and family history, as well as current condition, what do you see as my risks for heart disease, diabetes, or cancer?

* What can I do to better protect or maintain my health? Should I change my diet or activity levels?

6. Follow up

- If you have any screening tests during your visit, be sure to find out how to follow up: will the physician call you with results? When should you call? Who should you call?

While scheduling and attending a yearly physical is an important first step, it is important to make the most of your visit in order to best promote your health. By preparing ahead of time, you will feel more confident and in control during your visit. Not only does this help you ask better-informed questions, but it helps your doctor know that you want to be an active participant in the health process. When you and your doctor work as a team, you can achieve more and become even more empowered to take control of your annual medical physical and your overall health.