What Are The Most Important Preventive Screenings And Tests?
11 Mar 2022
From an early age, routine check-ups are an integral part of health care - a responsibility taken by the parent. With age, many of us often forget about prevention, due to the hectic daily life and countless tasks that await us every day. In most cases, medical attention is sought when it is too late. Health problems are usually deepening if we don’t eradicate them in their infancy. The following material has gathered the most important preventive examinations and tests. It is recommended to do them on a regular basis to avoid the unpleasant surprise of a health problem.
Complete Blood Count
Complete blood count, or CBC for short, is the most commonly requested test because it provides information about a person’s overall health status. The indicators that can be considered are between 8 and 30, but the most important of them are erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), thrombocytes, hemoglobin, and cholesterol (HDL and LDL).
Glucose Levels Test
For overweight people, blood sugar screening is an extremely important test that shows the risks of diabetes. High blood sugar levels are a prerequisite for damage to the coronary arteries, plaque buildup, and the development of cardiovascular disease. Blood glucose testing is done with venous blood and is highly recommended for people with a family predisposition to diabetes.
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid hormones are key to all systems in the body - nervous, digestive, cardiovascular, and worldwide, more than 200,000 million people suffer from thyroid gland dysfunction. If a problem is suspected, tests for TSH, T3, and T4 hormones are recommended; thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPO Ab), TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb). You need to do an ultrasound examination of the gland as well.
Kidney Screening
Crystals composed of calcium, urate, phosphorus, magnesium, and mixed salts are formed in the kidneys. They are excreted in the urine, but sometimes some of them settle in the kidneys and after a period of 2-3 years they form a stone. Kidney stones are extremely insidious because they can be in the body for years without the person noticing them. It is only when they begin to move that they cause a kidney failure, usually accompanied by severe pain and requiring hospitalization of the patient. Therefore, preventive examinations by a urologist every 2 years are of great importance for the prevention of such a problem.
Lung Screening
Lung cancer most often begins without clear symptoms. Lung cancer screening is a process that uses tests to detect the disease at an early stage, even before symptoms appear. It is sufficient to perform low-dose computed tomography of the lung (scanner) with contrast during the examination. The examination is recommended for people at risk for lung problems - former or current smokers.
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram or ECG is a type of test that records the electrical activity of myocardial fibers. It is used to monitor whether there are mechanical or bioelectrical disorders in the heart muscle. After the age of 40, it is recommended that the test is performed every two years, and after the age of 50, at least once a year.
Eye Examination
In the absence of complaints, preventive eye examinations in young people are recommended every 2 years. After the age of 40-45, vision changes are possible due to genetics or external factors. This is why it is recommended that examinations by an ophthalmologist be performed annually. After the age of 60, it is mandatory to have an examination every year.
Female Health
The gynecological examination gives a wide picture of the morphology and functional activity of the key organs in the female reproductive system. It is recommended to be performed every year from the beginning of women’s sexual life.
Cervical screening or a smear test, is a test that detects the presence of precancerous cells in the cervix. In addition. It helps to analyze if there is any presence of inflammatory changes or other infectious microorganisms. Moreover, it also determines the general hormonal status of the person.
Mammography is the safest test for diagnosing breast cancer and is recommended by specialists to be performed annually for women over 30 years of age.
Male Health
Examination by a cardiologist - men have a 30% higher chance of developing hypertension than women. Regular checkups with a cardiologist can prevent several problems with the cardiovascular system.
Examination by a urologist – is one of the most important examinations for men’s health that is recommended to be done once a year (especially after the age of 45). It is recommended even when the person has no specific complaints and symptoms about their health.
Prostate exam - Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed type of cancer. 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. The main blood test used to determine the proper function of the gland is the prostate-specific antigen PSA tumor marker.
Before performing any of the mentioned tests, it is important to consult with a doctor to advise you on the consumption of food, beverages, and medicines before taking any of them.
Your health is in your own hands
Preventative examinations are the key to the early diagnosis of many of the most common diseases around the world. Their frequency increases with age or in the presence of risk factors, depending on a person’s specific health condition.
Remember that your health is in your own hands - make an appointment with a doctor via the Medrec:M mobile app now!
Disclaimer: The information listed here is not medical advice. Always consult with a doctor before taking any measures regarding your health.