Regular health checkups play a crucial role in detecting diseases early, while also leading to more successful recoveries. These can help treat conditions like high blood sugar (diabetes), cardiovascular diseases and other internal chronic ailments. In this blog, we will delve into some of the most common health checkups that must be done annually. Read on.
What happens in an annual health checkup?
First, the doctor will assess your medical history, including your family members. Also, he may want to know about your regular diet, activity level and other potential factors influencing your health. Once the initial consultation is complete, he will conduct a thorough physical examination to determine if there are any potential abnormalities growing within your body. In case you are at a higher risk of developing particular health issues (preferably genetic), then checkups can be started from an early age. Below is a list of some vital tests involved in a full body health checkup:
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Blood Pressure
Hypertension or high blood pressure is one of the most common risk factors for heart diseases. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), it is essential to get routine blood pressure checks every year. Well, taking this test after every three months is essential for individuals suffering from obesity, diabetes, family history of HTN or CAD, CKD, or stroke.
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Cholesterol
Strokes and heart attacks are the biggest threats to human health. These are caused by high cholesterol levels, often exhibiting minimal to no symptoms. The only way to monitor cholesterol levels is to obtain frequent tests that involve measuring total cholesterol. Additional dietary changes and taking medications as prescribed by the doctor can reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases. If you have are obese, along with a family history of premature CAD, cholesterol checks become extremely necessary.
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Blood Sugar Test
Individuals without risk factors for diabetes should start screening for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes at age 35, instead of the previously recommended age of 45 by many healthcare providers. Individuals with a family history of diabetes, those who are overweight, have a sedentary lifestyle, previously identified prediabetics, hypertension (BP ≥ 190/90), a history of gestational diabetes, PCOS, or triglycerides of 7250 mg/dl have an elevated risk of developing diabetes. Experts recommend they undergo a comprehensive checkup that includes a diabetes screening starting at age 25 and at least once annually.
Three reliable blood tests are recognised for diabetes screenings, namely A1C, fasting blood sugar test, and glucose tolerance test. A1C measures your average blood sugar levels from the last three months, while a glucose tolerance test assesses your blood sugar levels after ingesting 75 grams of glucose. The fasting blood glucose test is conducted after a night without eating, so keep that in mind prior to your appointment.
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Colon Cancer Detection
Individuals at average risk for colon cancer begin their initial screening at 45 years old, and studies indicate that the rate of colon cancer is rising rapidly among younger populations, prompting a reduction in the recommended screening age. Screenings need to occur routinely until the patient reaches 75 or 85 years of age. If you currently suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, it’s important to talk to your doctor about screening before any serious issues arise, as this preventive healthcare is very beneficial over time.
The primary approach for preventing colon cancer is through stool testing. Stool-based diagnostics, including the highly sensitive guaiac-based faecal occult blood test and the very sensitive faecal immunochemical test, are conducted annually. Every three years, a multi target stool DNAÂ test could be used and every five years, a visual examination of the colon and rectum is performed using CT colonography or flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSIG), which looks at the lower colon.
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Cervical Cancer Screening
Two major types of tests are available for cervical cancer screening – first, a pap test and second, the HPV test. A Pap test determines abnormalities in the cervix that can develop into cancer in future. In this, the doctor collects some cell sample from the cervix and checks for the presence of cancerous growth. Similar to this is the HPV test in which the doctor finds a virus that is capable of causing cellular changes in the cervix. For people stepping into their adolescence is a good time for cervical cancer screening, and must be carried out every year.
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Prostate Cancer Screening
Prostate-specific antigen (or PSA) levels in the blood can act as a prime indicator for determining prostate cancer. Prostate cancer screening must be started when a male nears 40. This test acts as a preventive care practice, especially for those individuals having a family history of prostate cancer or who have lost any family member due to it.
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Dental Check
Even though we regularly brush, most of us hardly prioritise flossing. And this is the reason why you must see a good dentist on a routine basis. They can check out for hidden cavities, gum disease, and other potential dental problems on time. Also, they can guide you on proper oral hygiene maintenance tips to keep your teeth healthy and strong.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases Check
Sexual health tests are important for identifying STIs or STDs, such as, gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, etc. These tests are highly recommended for sexually active individuals who have had multiple sexual partners or did not use any protection while copulating. How often these screenings are needed depend on individual risk factors and lifestyle patterns.
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Bone Density Check
This is a preventive health examination, and beginning at age 65, individuals should undergo a bone density assessment to screen for osteoporosis, a disorder that diminishes bone strength. People with a family background of fractures, low body weight, a smoking history, and steroid use have additional osteoporosis risk factors and should consider discussing earlier testing with their doctor. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, commonly known as a DEXA scan, refers to a bone density test where a low-dose X-ray apparatus captures images of your bones as you recline on a table.
Conclusion
To ensure you are genuinely healthy, it’s essential to have regular full body health checkups. This is because these are preventive visits that will inform you when action is necessary. Routine examinations and assessments can aid in detecting problems before they develop and at an earlier stage, when treatment possibilities and chances of recovery are more promising for you.
