Health checkups and staying healthy should be a part of your regular routine. This will not only help you to stay healthy but it will also help you to know your potential problems quite early in your life.
Health Checks For Men Screening by Ages 18 to 39
You should make it a point to visit your health care provider regularly, even if you feel healthy. These visits can predict future problems and ensure that you are not suffering from any serious ailments. Undergo tests regularly to be sure that you are not suffering from blood pressure, diabetes, or heart problems. There are health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and cancers which are known to be passed on through generations.
With the advancement of modern methods and techniques, it’s time that you took matter into your own hands without depending on others. Go and meet your doctor who will tell you what tests you need to take. These tests that you undergo will gauge your health and will assess your risk of future medical problems. Furthermore, they will encourage you to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Men in the age group 18 to 39 are advised to undertake the following tests as specified:
Blood Pressure Check for Men
Have your blood pressure checked every two years, and if the reading is normal – the higher reading should be in the 120-130 range and the lower reading should be in the 80-90 range. Then you have nothing to worry about. But, if the readings are higher or lower, you should have it checked every year.
Cholesterol Check for Men
Men over the age of 34 should have their cholesterol checked every 5 years. Men, who are diabetic or have heart disease related risk factors, should start their screening earlier. Men with diabetes, heart disease, and kidney problems should take the tests more often.
Heart Health Checkup for Men
We find that heart problems are getting at people earlier these days. Some of the warning signs of heart conditions are having a racing heart beat all the time, shortness of breath after doing minimal activity and any chest pains. It has now, therefore, become necessary to get an Electrocardiogram (ECG) done once in 5 years. Men, who do not get a healthy ECG should go in for further tests such as TMT and 2D Echo.
Diabetes Health Checkup for Men
Men over the age of 30 should undertake diabetes screening once on 3 years. Non-diabetics can go in for Random Blood Sugar (RBS) test. If the RBS shows a reading of less than 200, it is normal. Men who do not have normal readings should go in for more detailed Fasting and Post-lunch tests. Fasting blood sugar should be in the range of 70-100, while the post-lunch blood sugar should be in the range of 140-180. You can keep a check of your blood sugar levels at home – buy a glucometer and monitor your sugar levels.
Blood Test
Men after the age of 30 should get a Complete Blood Picture once in 3 years to ensure that all the parameters are in the normal range, especially hemoglobin.
Eye Health Checkup for Men
Unless you have a vision problem, you can go in for a routine eye check once in 3 years. Men with vision problems should visit their ophthalmologist every year for their eye check.
Dental Health Checkup for Men
Dental health and hygiene are important for your overall health. You can keep tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss in check if you clean your teeth regularly and eat a low-sugar diet. Don’t forget to floss regularly. Visit the dentist at least once a year for a dental examination and having your teeth cleaned.
Health Screenings For Men Age 40 Onwards
Once you cross the age of 40, the frequency of your diagnostic tests and your visits to the doctor should increase – for the simple reason that you are on the wrong side of 40! We advise you to go in for a regular checkup as there are some ailments which can creep in on you when you least expect it – and then, perhaps, it may be too late. Don’t let some such thing happen to you, for you definitely deserve better! Be prepared and take preventive or corrective action when you become aware of any disease or ailment.
Some ailments are not openly visible – for example, the only way to know if you have high or low blood pressure is when you have it checked, and the same goes for diabetes also. High blood sugar and high cholesterol levels also may not show any symptoms in the early stages – a simple blood test can tell you of these conditions.
Here are a few tests for men who are over 40.
- Blood Pressure Screening
- Cholesterol Screening
- Tests to detect heart disease
- Diabetes Test
- Screening for Colon Cancer
- Screening for Prostate Cancer
- Dental exam
- Eye checkup
- Screening for Lung Cancer, especially for smokers or those who have quit smoking within 15 years
Infectious Disease Screening:
Depending on your lifestyle and medical condition, you may be advised to be screened for infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, HIV, and other infections.
Do you know why men should undertake regular health checks? Regular medical health checkups will help you stay healthy and detect early warning signs of any disease or ailments. Diabetes, heart diseases, and cancers can be detected during the early stages, and treatment if started then can be more successful. Your regular health checks should also include obesity tests as being overweight is a definite risk factor for many health problems, including heart diseases and diabetes.
After the age of 40, everyone is advised to undergo bone density tests also as osteoporosis can affect men after a certain age. A bone density test determines the health of your bones and helps you to take the necessary prevention.
As leading a healthy life is extremely important, there are a number of things you can do at home to keep yourself healthy while keeping diseases and ailments at bay. It is also necessary to undergo a physical examination once in two years, which should include your height, weight, and BMI. When you visit your doctor for a health check, your doctor will talk to you about your medical history, your family’s history of the disease, and your lifestyle. The doctor may suggest changes in your lifestyle to lead a healthy life.
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