There are several different medical checks that should be done at certain intervals and they are all very important to ensure that you are healthy and that there are no dangerous health problems that you need to worry about.
Making sure that you have nothing you should be worried about will help you to continue living your life to the best of your abilities.
How age affects which yearly health tests you should have
As you get older, the gap between the different check ups that you should have becomes shorter. If you have had a problem with a particular part of your body, for example your eyesight, you should have a check up on that particular body part or for that particular health problem a lot more regularly than someone who has no health problems in that area.
For women, it is essential to get things like the health of your breasts and ovaries checked very regularly. If you are unsure about what health checks you should be getting every year for your age group, you should contact your doctor and find out.
Essential yearly medical checks for men
- Testicular examination
You doctor will want to check if you have a hernia and to do this, he will hold onto your testicles while you turn your head and cough.
- Prostate check
Especially after fifty years of age, every man should have a yearly prostate examination to ensure that they prostate is not enlarged. If it is, it could mean that the individual has prostate cancer, a fairly common disease in men of that age group.
Regular check that both men and women must have
- A full physical check up
Every person should visit his doctor for a full physical check up to ensure that there is nothing wrong. Most of the following essential check ups can be done at your yearly physical.
- Cholesterol level test
If your cholesterol blood level is high it means that you have a high count of fatty substance in your blood. Too many lipids in your blood can lead to heart disease if something isn’t done to lower the cholesterol level. You should go for a cholesterol level test at least once a year to make sure that you are safe. If your doctor finds that your cholesterol levels are high, he or she will prescribe you some medicine that will help to regulate the lipids in your blood.
- Blood pressure check up
As you age, your blood vessels stiffen causing your blood pressure to rise. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and many other diseases. Low blood pressure is also a problem. Your doctor can prescribe you medication that will regulate your blood pressure.
- Rectal and colon exam
Colorectal is another common cancer and your doctor should screen you for any of the signs of this disease. Regular examinations will ensure that if there is anything wrong, it will be caught early.
- Obesity
Obesity is a very unhealthy way to be for any individual, male or female. It can lead to heart disease, diabetes and a myriad of other diseases and problems.
- Dental examination
Your teeth should be checked regularly to make sure that you do not have any cavities or other problems and to give them a thorough cleaning.
- Eye check up
Your eyesight is one of your most important senses. Look after it by having it checked regularly and by wearing the right glasses.
Essential yearly medical checks for women
- Pap smear
It is essential to have a yearly pap smear. This examination checks the internal health of a woman by taking a sample from her cervix.
- Internal examination
An internal examination will check for the general health of a woman’s reproductive and sexual organs.
- Mammogram
A mammogram will check for lumps within a woman’s breasts which can then be tested to see if they are cancerous.