As we all know that prevention is better than cure and it more than applies to the regular visit to your doctor. When we were little our parents always made sure that we should get a regular checkup with a doctor. But as we have grown we have forgotten this habit. Most of the health professionals force that these regular checkups are necessary for the identification of risk factors and problems before it gets worse. When a disease is caught up at an early stage the treatments are usually much more effective and it gets cured quickly. So, basically, a regular checkup to the doctor would help you live long and healthy life.
A regular checkup is normally referred to be as a prevention checkup. It all depends on upon your age, sex and medical history of the family. A regular appointment with a doctor may include the vision, blood, urine and hearing tests for the evaluation of your overall health.
Tests are carried out for blood pressure, weight and cholesterol level. A basic level discussion about your diet and exercise habits would conduct and if you use tobacco, alcohol and drugs are also discussed which also includes the booster shots and immunizations.
The screening exams are carried out for assessing the risks of development of certain diseases which include the high blood pressure, high cholesterol and some other harmful diseases. Depending on the ages and sexual lifestyle the tests are carried out for HIV and STD’s. People who are above 50 in age and have a family history of colorectal cancer require a screening test which would diagnose the current health of an individual. One of the most important parts of the discussion includes the evaluation of mental health and depression.
Concerns for Men
When we talk about the regular checkups for men, it includes the high blood pressure and the basic screening exams. If you are 50 or younger than you would be asked about your previous family history, a rectal exam for checking the abdominal bumps in the prostate and blood test to complete the screening. Men between the ages of 65 to 75 get an abdominal exam to check the enlargement of the aorta as it could develop with age and can become a life-threatening problem.
Concerns for Women
When it comes to women the additional checkups include hypertension, depression and weight gain. These are the basics and your visit to the physician would contain several tests which include the cervical cancer exam, clinical breast exam, and if a woman is over 4o then there might be chances that she would be having breast cancer. For this purpose, an exam named as a mammogram is carried out every one to two years. Osteoporosis is a common disease which occurs in women quite frequently at the age of 65. It would not have been diagnosed unless you would have taken care of your health in the first place.
These are some of the basic things which a doctor asks while your checkup and remember one thing never hide any kind of health problem from a doctor.