There are no symptoms in the early stages of many diseases, such as cancer, high blood pressure, or diabetes. However, early detection of such disorders can create a better prognosis due to early treatment.
Another benefit of general health checkups is identifying risk factors predisposing you to particular diseases and monitoring them.
Even if you feel OK, it’s good to have routine medical tests starting at a particular age. In addition, getting medical checkups regularly might help you avoid future health issues.
Checkups to Maintain Your Overall Health
An overall health checkup would give a thorough examination of your overall health and may include the following:
The doctor will take a look at your clinical history. In addition, they gather personal information or research areas of interest.
The data gathered may include your family’s history with any diseases that may be hereditary.
The doctor will also look at any illnesses you may have suffered in the past.
Another focal point is your diet. Are you eating what you should, or are you on the opposite side of the spectrum?
Are you an active person? The doctor will also consider your sports habits.
Also, the doctor will need to know what type of medication you are currently on.
Along with all of these, the doctor will examine certain risk factors. For example, the doctor will want to know:
• If you’re a smoker
• How much alcohol do you consume on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis
• Information about any risky sexual behavior.
Next, you will get a complete physical examination. The examination includes looking for signs or symptoms of diseases, e.g., skin examination, examining your joints, back, and abdomen, checking for nodules, and other tests.
You can request basic supplementary diagnostic tests, such as blood tests, x-rays, and ultrasounds, while considering your unique circumstances, such as risk factors and previous medical history.
The regularity with which you should get this checkup varies depending on your age and circumstances.
It’s never a wrong time to go for a checkup. It’s painless, doesn’t take much time, and you will know if something is wrong with your body and what you need to change to get well again.
Frequently included tests in general examinations include:
Body mass index (BMI) research:
To see if your weight is healthy for your height or if you are overweight or obese. It’s computed by multiplying your weight (in kilograms) by your squared height (in meters).
Your BMI estimates body fat and is a good gauge of your risk for diseases that can occur with more body fat. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers.
Monitoring of blood pressure:
It’s also crucial to keep track of your blood pressure, which you may regularly test at home or a drugstore. A general guideline for the suggested blood pressure value is less than 140/90.
Blood tests:
Levels of cholesterol:
(LDL, HDL) People with high LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol are more likely to develop heart disease. HDL cholesterol levels in the blood should be between 40 and 60 mg/dL. LDL cholesterol levels in the blood should be less than 130 mg/dL.
Diabetes:
Diabetes type II can strike at any age and is exacerbated by factors such as a sedentary lifestyle. A fasting condition, such as first thing in the morning before eating breakfast, is the best time to check your blood glucose levels.
Kidney and liver function:
Transaminase levels (ALT, AST), bilirubin, gamma GT, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate calculation, and other tests provide essential information about your liver and kidney function.
Screening for colon cancer:
Dr. Carls recommends colon cancer screening starting at 50. The office will collect a stool sample to test the colon, with a colonoscopy conducted every ten years. However, it may be recommended more regularly in people with a family history of heart disease or other risk factors.
Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing:
Anybody who has had sexual intercourse should take these tests, especially if you or your partner have had unprotected sex or have had intercourse with several sexual partners. It covers:
• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) testing
• Gonorrhea testing
• Hepatitis B/C testing
• Syphilis testing
Please be aware that many of these STDs go undiagnosed, although they can have severe health and reproductive repercussions.
What's it like to get a skincare consultation with us? Watch the video to learn more.
Aside from the regular checkup, there are other procedures to consider.
Experts also recommend the following tests in addition to essential medical examinations:
• Specific eye
• Dental
• Skin examinations
Skipping these treatments is not recommended because they are all critical for your overall health.
The most crucial are:
Ophthalmological examinations:
Even if you don’t have any vision difficulties, an Ophthalmologist should examine your eyes every two years. Then, a referral to an ophthalmologist may be necessary.
Think about it. We use our eyes for everything, and without proper vision, our lives would be much more difficult.
Take care of them when you go for a routine checkup.
Dermatological examinations:
During a standard checkup, your general practitioner might inspect your skin and, if required, send you to a dermatologist. It’s a good idea to regularly have your skin evaluated by a doctor, especially if you’ve had many sunburns or moles, a family history of skin cancer, or light skin and eyes.
Dental examinations:
Dentists recommend routine checkups and teeth cleaning for people of all ages. More often than not, people tend to be afraid of the dentist. Of course, this fear has no solid base. Nonetheless, it’s the checkup that most people avoid. Don’t be one of them and visit your dentist regularly.
Gynecological examinations:
All sexually active women and women over 20 should receive a cervical smear test every year. In addition, mammography should be done every two years for women over 50 to test for breast cancer. A gynecologist can also undertake STD screening.
Men’s urological examinations:
One of the most frequent kinds of cancer among males is prostate cancer. Therefore, from the age of 50 onwards, a PSA, or ‘prostate-specific antigen,’ yearly screening is recommended. A digital rectal examination is another common technique for examining the prostate.
A urologist can undertake STD testing as well.
Others:
Women over 50 years of age should have an osteoporosis test (bone density) performed and a hearing test.
Conclusion
Even if you feel in top shape, it’s still vital to visit your doctor regularly and keep your physical health in check. Keeping your health in check is one of the most important things you can do for your body.
Maybe you already did your annual checkup. And that’s completely fine. But, even if everything came out on the good side, there’s no harm in keeping things in check.
After the annual wellness, our office is there for routine health issues and emergencies that may arise. We leave several appointments a day available so we can answer your questions or schedule an appointment. Call our office at 928.855.1550. We’d be more than happy to help!
