Health Screening & Wellness

Recently Answered

• QDoes a temperature of 96 degrees F mean I'm sick?

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  A Dr. David J. Ensz, MD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center

  If you have a temperature of 96 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit and you are not suffering from any other signs of infection or illness, your normal temperature may just be lower than that of other people and does not always mean you’re sick.

  However, subnormal temperatures may be the sign of health problems. Hypothermia is one of the more obvious symptoms of a subnormal temperature. A normal body temperature in a human registers at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Like your weight, your body temperature fluctuates throughout the day. Sustained periods of time in which you run a fever, or a higher-than-normal temperature, can indicate illness such as hyperthermia.

  Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.

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• QWhat is a physical exam?

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  A Dr. Thaung M. Aung, MD , Internal Medicine, answered on behalf of Saint Agnes Medical Center

  A physical exam is a tool to help diagnose your symptoms. It starts the minute you walk into the office or even, sometimes, the minute you call the office: we’re aware of how people speak, the way they walk—it lets us notice certain symptoms right away. Then we complete the physical exam you might normally think of and use the information to help make a diagnosis.

  Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.

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• QWhy do I need screening tests even if I don't feel sick?

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  A Lee's Summit Medical Center answered

  You need screening tests even if you don’t feel sick because most people do not feel poorly when they have some of the more serious health conditions. For example, unless it's extremely high, most people do not feel badly when they have high blood pressure. If they aren’t having routine screenings, such as a basic annual physical, their first indication of high blood pressure may be at a critical moment when they start having symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. Another example is diabetes. According to the National Institutes of Health, one-third of all diabetics in the United States do not know they have the disease. Patients can go for years without “feeling” it, but that certainly doesn’t mean that their bodies, specifically eyes/nerves/kidneys/blood vessels, aren’t accruing damage. Long-term, uncontrolled diabetes can increase risk for heart attacks, strokes, blindness, and amputations.

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• QWhat health screening tests do people age 40 and older need?

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  A Lee's Summit Medical Center answered

  The following are health screening tests that people age 40 and older need. Depending on a person's risk factors, some of these health screening tests may be indicated sooner than age 40.

  • Basic blood work should include diabetes screen with a fasting glucose (blood sugar) level and cholesterol screen. Depending on the person’s circumstances/risk factors, his or her doctor may recommend other screening blood work as well.
  • For women, pelvic exams/Pap smears/mammograms are recommended on regular intervals. Some of these recommendations start at age 21. Screening for breast cancer may start sooner than 40 for those with risk factors such as family history.
  • Colon cancer screening is recommended starting at age 50, usually with colonoscopies.

  Again, these tests may be indicated sooner if symptoms or risk factors exist.

  There are several other recommendations for screening that may be important for a person individually. Overall, the big take home message is that people should see their primary care doctor on a regular basis every 1 to 2 years to discuss these, and make a plan together to make sure they remain at their healthiest for years to come.

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• QWhy are regular medical checkups important?

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  A Mercy Health answered

  According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular exams and screenings can help save lives. They can help find problems early, when the chances for treatment, and perhaps even a cure, are better.

  Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider.

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• QWhy would I need to check an oral temperature?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. Deborah Raines, MSN , Nursing, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  The most common reason to check an oral temperature is to detect a fever or an elevation of body temperature. Sometime, women will check an oral temperture, using a special thermometer, first thing in the morning, before getting out of bed, as part of a fertility awareness program.
• QWhy would I need to check an axillary temperature?

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  A Dr. Deborah Raines, MSN , Nursing, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  An axillary temperature is a non-invasive mode of measuring body temperature. An axillary temperature is measured in persons who are unable to cooperate in the measurement of an oral temperature. For example, infants or young children who are unable to follow directions to hold the thermometer in their mouth. It also may be used for individuals who have experienced trauma or surgery to the mouth. Another indication for an axillary temperature is a person receiving oxygen via a facemask or individuals who are mouth breathers.
• QWhat is the correct way to take an axillary temperature?

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  A Dr. Deborah Raines, MSN , Nursing, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  An axillary temperature is measured in the axilla or armpit area. It is recommended to use a digital thermometer when taking an axillary temperature. To take an axillary temperature:

  • Remove any clothing on the arm being used.
  • Raise the patient’s arm.
  • Make sure the underarm area is dry. If the individual has visible deodorant, powder or lotion in the area, it needs to be removed with a dry cloth.
  • Turn on the thermometer and put a protective cover on the tip
  • Place the thermometer under the arm with the tip of the thermometer positioned in the pit of the axilla.
  • Bring the arm next to the body.
  • Hold the thermometer in place until the sound signals it is finished.
  • Remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
  • Clean the thermometer before putting it away.
• QWhat is an oral temperature?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. Deborah Raines, MSN , Nursing, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  An oral temperature is the body temperature as recorded by a clinical thermometer placed in the mouth. Normal adult body temperature, as measured orally, is 98.6° F (37° C). Oral temperatures ranging from 96.5° F to 99° F and may vary depending on the person's physical activity, the environmental temperature, and that person's usual body temperature.