Are You Up To Date With All Of Your Health Checks?
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When you are a child, your parents take you to the doctors and the dentist to make sure that you have all of the necessary health checks, You have the school nurse to keep an eye on you, and you do not have to think about anything to do with your health – someone else is always watching out for you.
However, as you grow up, it becomes your responsibility, and that can be a pretty scary thing, especially as we age, we are more prone to specific health conditions.
To help you stay healthy as you get older, we have put together a list of some of the health checks you should regularly be having. Getting regular checkups does not have to be a burden. A house call doctor in Seattle can offer longer appointments and better schedule flexibility, for a strong doctor-patient relationship.
As with all things, prevention is better than cure, so by making sure you go for all these when they are due, you can hopefully pick up on any problems before they become even more significant, and perhaps untreatable.
Diabetes
Diabetes is on the rise, with more and more cases of type one and type diabetes being diagnosed each year. Both can be incredibly dangerous – and fatal – if left untreated, so having regular checks to make sure you have not got the condition is essential.
Type one diabetes is not linked to diet or lifestyle, and while it can develop at any age, it is most commonly picked up before the age of 40. It is an autoimmune condition and is where the pancreas does not produce any insulin.
Type two diabetes is the form you are most likely to read about in the media as it can be (but not always) linked to diet and lifestyle. This is where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body’s cells does not react to insulin. It is more commonly found in those who are overweight and while more common in older people, is being diagnosed earlier and earlier.
If you are in one of the ‘at-risk’ categories for diabetes or see any symptoms that are linked to it (increased thirst, frequent urination, tiredness being some of the main ones), it is important to get checked.
Blood pressure
Keeping an eye on your blood pressure is essential because if it is high, just like cholesterol, it puts you at a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as aneurysms and dementia. Blood pressure is something that can be easily treated, so it is worth getting it checked regularly and sorting it out before it becomes a bigger issue.
Pap smears
This is to keep an eye on any changes to the cells in the neck of the cervix, which can be a sign of cervical cancer developing if not treated. While they are never the most fun things, it is important that you attend them when called for one. Your local Gynecology Services will be able to give you more information about them.
Eye tests
Regular eye tests are necessary because as well as picking up any vision problems, they can also tell you about other significant health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, which could lead to sight loss.
Try to get your eyes checked every two years if possible, and more often if you start to experience any problems with your vision.
Your doctor may also recommend other tests based on your family history, your medical history or current symptoms.
Depending on the results of those tests, your doctor may then want to provide a course of treatment, investigate further or refer you to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.
