A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way
Don’t let illness sneak up on you. Paying attention to your health, even when you feel fine, can make staying well easier in the long term.
Regular screening tests and checkups with a doctor are good ways to take control of your health. These exams can make it easier to spot problems early, when treatment is often more effective. They might even prevent a problem from developing in the first place.
Before your checkup, you should review your family medical history. Your doctor will want to know if close relatives had health conditions such as heart trouble, stroke, diabetes or cancer.
Also, tell your doctor about any changes in your own health. That includes new lumps, skin changes, pain, dizziness, sleep problems, or changes in eating, bowel or urinary habits.
Your doctor can then recommend which preventive health services and screenings you should have and when you should have them.
Some of the screenings that your doctor might recommend could include tests for:
- Cholesterol – This is a blood test recommended for most men starting at age 35 and most women starting at age 45. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease.
- Blood pressure – Have this checked at least once every two years. High blood pressure increases risks of heart and kidney disease and stroke.
- Diabetes – If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you should get screened for diabetes.
- Colorectal cancer – Most adults should have their first exam at age 50. Ask your doctor which of several available tests are right for you.
Women should also consider screening tests for breast cancer, cervical cancer and osteoporosis. Mammograms are usually recommended every year starting at age 40. Pap smears are often done every year after becoming sexually active or upon reaching age 21. A bone density scan should be done at least once beginning at age 65.
Men should talk to their doctor about the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening.
To find out which screenings are recommended for you, make an appointment to see your Watson Clinic primary care physician by calling 863-680-7190.
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality