Physical Exam Specialist
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Ben Kermani, MD
Primary Care Doctor located in Las Vegas – Southern Highlands area
An annual physical examination helps ensure your continued health while identifying potential problems early on. Dr. Ben Kermani offers full physical examinations, including critical screening tests such as blood-pressure tests, PAP smears, and skin-cancer examinations — to those in the Las Vegas and Summerlin area. If you would like to schedule a physical examination for yourself or a family member, contact Dr. Kermani’s caring staff.
Physical Exam Q&A
Why do I need a physical exam?
People often say they don't need a physical because "they feel fine and there is nothing wrong.”
As the old saying goes:"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment.”
What happens in a physical examination?
A physical exam can lead to early (and perhaps curative) detection of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, neuropathy, high cholesterol, and thus risks of heart attack, stroke, and sleep apnea.
The laboratory panel will include cholesterol, sugar, thyroid, kidney and liver function. During the same initial visit, there will be a simple one-page evaluation for depression.
A physical exam is a key part of routine medical care and helps us detect potential health issues early on, even before symptoms might be noticeable. The exam involves a series of steps where the Dr. Kermani uses the senses—sight, touch, hearing, and sometimes smell—to gather important information about your health. Here's how it works:
Some visual observations may include looking at changes in skin color. Additionally, rashes, scars, or any unusual marks are worth of noting. For example, pale skin might indicate anemia, and yellowing of the skin (jaundice) might signal liver problems. Facial expressions may indicate signs of pain, fatigue, or neurological issues (like drooping, which could suggest a stroke).
Some examples of palpation and its importance include pressing on the abdomen. This is to check tenderness, masses or organ enlargement. Feeling the liver, spleen, or kidneys helps detect abnormalities like swelling or tumors. Feeling around the neck, armpits and groins can show whether there is any swelling of the lymph nodes which can indicate infections, or less commonly, cancers. By touching the joints, muscles and bones, one can assess whether there are any signs of arthritis , weakness or injury.
The doctor may tap on certain body parts (like the chest or abdomen) to listen for abnormal sounds. This can help detect lung fluid (as in pneumonia or heart failure), air pockets, or organ enlargement. Various sounds of the bowels can help identify gastrointestinal issues like blockages, inflammation, or infections.
Additional exams with the nervous system can determine brain and nerve functions
Early Detection
By noticing early signs—such as changes in skin color, irregular heartbeats, or joint tenderness, the doctor can refer for additional tests, like blood tests, imaging, or screenings, to confirm a diagnosis. Many conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and some cancers, may not show obvious symptoms in the early stages. Still, a physical exam can help identify these problems before they become more serious.
By staying up to date on physical exams, you increase the likelihood of identifying conditions early, which can lead to better outcomes and lower risks of severe complications. Regular visits to a healthcare provider can help track and manage any emerging health issues.
If it has been more than a year since your last physical exam, please call our office at (702)435-1995 and one of our friendly staff will schedule an appointment for you to see Dr. Kermani at our office in the Southern Highlands and Las Vegas area.
