The medical tests you should go for every year

Staying healthy isn’t an unattainable task; it just takes alertness and some efforts. Daily habits play an important role in deciding your body health. If you follow healthy habits, like exercise, balanced diet, adequate sleep etc., good health is quite attainable.

But as we age, there’s a great variability in our health. So in addition to healthy habits, we need to ensure that we are protected against the risk of serious diseases. Health tests are an important measure in that regard. Scheduling routine medical tests can help spot health problems early, when they are still in their infancy and treatable!

In addition to health tests that your doctor may recommend based on your health profile, here is a list of the basic medical tests you should get done every year: –

A full physical examination includes general examination of the body by a medical practitioner. Physical body examination will cover the organs of the body, such as heart, lungs, stomach and nerve system. During a physical exam, your doctor will inquire about your medical history. Together with the medical history, physical examination helps in making an accurate diagnosis, and thereafter defining the necessary course of treatment.

Blood tests are the most common type of health examinations. Normal blood tests don’t require any special preparations. But for certain tests, your doctor may ask you to come empty stomach. Your doctor will educate you about how you need to prepare for a blood test.

During a blood test, a sample of blood is taken from a vein in your arm using a needle. The blood sample is used to measure concentration of different substances in blood. Blood test results can help detect health problems in early stages.

The pressure with which blood flows through your blood vessels is known as the blood pressure. If your blood pressure is too low or too high, a healthy lifestyle along with medication can help bring it under control. High blood pressure, if overlooked, can lead to coronary artery disease or heart failure. And severely low blood pressure can deprive the body organs of oxygen, leading to damage to your heart and brain.

A comprehensive lipid profile details about the total cholesterol in your blood- “bad” LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, “good” HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Cholesterol is a fatty protein found in blood. If its concentration in blood increases, it can build up in your arteries, and block the flow of blood. Getting a lipid profile done is one of the most effective ways to know if you are at risk of developing heart disease.

Whether you have vision problems or not, you need regular eye examinations as you age in order to check the health of your eyes. During an eye exam, the optometrist uses an ophthalmoscope and other eye screening devices to check for vision problems, glaucoma, retinopathy, macular degeneration, and other eye diseases. Early signs of serious health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and risk of stroke, can also be detected through eye examination.

Blood glucose test is the process of measuring the levels of glucose or sugar in blood. If you suffer from diabetes or have a family history of diabetes, this test becomes even more important. You can also test your blood sugar at home with a portable electronic device like a glucose meter.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. Mammogram is a tool used to screen for tumors and detect early signs of breast cancer in women with no cancer symptoms. Women over the age of 40 years are advised to get annual mammograms done.

This test measures the mineral density in the bones. A bone density test is the only test to diagnose osteoporosis before a broken bone occurs. Osteoporosis occurs when bone minerals such as calcium begin to leach out, leading to weakening of bones. Osteoporosis is common in women as a result of low estrogen levels after menopause.

Thyroid is a gland which produces hormones to regulate the metabolic rate, heart and digestive function, muscle control, brain development and body growth. Hence, it is important to maintain thyroid health. Thyroid test includes blood test used to measure the T3, T4, and TSH levels, to detail about thyroid health.

Dental hygiene and health is important for all age groups. Regular dental check-ups involve teeth examination and X-rays to spot early signs of tooth decay or any problems with the mouth or teeth.

Routine medical tests can help you keep a check on your overall health and ensure that you don’t have any medical problems that you’re unaware of. So ensure to get them done at regular intervals!