Don’t Skip These Essential Check-Ups

Every person needs to take control and ownership of personal health. Scheduling and keeping appointments for routine wellness exams and health check-ups can help. These visits gauge a person’s current health and determine if any potential conditions are present. Categorized as preventative medicine, routine check-ups allow physicians to catch problems early and work with a patient to create a proactive treatment or solution plan. The following are some of the most common tests or screenings, regardless of gender.

STI screenings

Sexually active people should undergo regular screenings for the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Most STI exams test for chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea, along with HIV/AIDS.

Blood pressure and cholesterol

Usually, high blood pressure and cholesterol tests begin in a person's 20s or early 30s and continue annually. If the results are abnormal, a physician may recommend lifestyle changes or medications as a corrective measure.

Pelvic exams

For women specifically, pelvic exams are routine and begin around age 21. Some individuals may have screenings sooner if symptoms like irregular periods are present. A pelvic exam checks that the reproductive organs are functioning properly but may include cervical cancer screenings.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Pap smears are another women-specific test that looks for diseases and cancers that could impact the reproductive organs. Most people take the test every three years between ages 20 to 29. Human papillomavirus (HPV) screenings may be included since the disease can cause some forms of cancer.

Diabetes screens

Diabetes has wide-reaching implications for a person's overall wellness. The condition controls how the body processes insulin and regulates glucose but can harm other bodily systems, like the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Diabetes screens usually don't begin before age 40 but may start sooner if a family history exists. Specifically, experts recommend beginning testing around age 45 for both diabetes and prediabetes.

Mammograms

Women are encouraged to perform self-breast exams, but a mammogram is more precise. The process uses an x-ray or MRI and is conducted annually. Usually, exams don't start until age 45 but may be given sooner for individuals with a family history of breast cancer.

Colon polyps

Around age 50, checking for polyps is another primary concern. Colonoscopies are an effective tool for screening for precancerous polyps. The procedure usually isn't encouraged until age 50. An alternative exam, a fecal occult blood test, may be recommended and is much less invasive than a colonoscopy. Additionally, blood tests can check for conditions beyond cancer.

Prostate cancer screening

Just like some cancers are more likely to occur in women, prostate cancer is a form that is specific to men. Screenings usually won't begin until a man is about 55 years old. People with a family history of the disease and even African Americans may need to start screening earlier as a preventative measure.

Bone density screenings

Osteoporosis risks grow with age. The condition is a loss in bone density and increases a person's risk of breaks and fractures. Women tend to be at a higher risk of osteoporosis, but all people are encouraged to get tested.

Smoking tests

Current and former heavy smokers may want to consider lung cancer screenings as a preventative measure. Similarly, an abdominal aortic aneurysm test, a one-time screening, might be recommended.

Take a stance on health

The best way to stay healthy is to adopt a preventative care mindset. Making appointments for annual physicals and seeking medical support when needed can go a long way toward avoiding more degenerative conditions.