Screening Tests

Following a healthy diet and working out are two important components to managing your health. You’ll also need to take charge of your wellness by undergoing certain health screenings. But varying health guidelines may make it hard to ascertain necessary tests from the one’s that you could do without. The following are 7 important tests that every adult should get.

Blood Pressure

Maintaining a healthy weight through a nutritious diet and active exercise program are both key factors to healthy aging. But even people who take excellent care of their bodies can still suffer from various illnesses and diseases such as a stroke and heart disease.

If you’re an adult 18 years of age and above, you’ll want to have your blood pressure monitored during your yearly physical. If your results are worrisome, your physician may make some exercise and dietary recommendations. If you’ve crossed into high territory, you may need medication to bring your readings to a normal level.

Oral Cancer

A regular trip to the dentist is essential to ensure your dental health. Your dental examination could also uncover serious health risks which is why Oral cancer screening exams are available at your dental office.

Whether you’ve smoked or not, symptoms could include difficulty swallowing, abnormal tissue and sores to name a few. With over 43,000 people diagnosed this year, you want to schedule a routine exam. Because sun exposure, alcohol and HPV are linked to cancer, screenings can help detect abnormalities at any age.

Colorectal Cancer

You may have heard of the dreaded colonoscopy test. But if you’re an adult over 50, it’s the best cancer screening you’ll receive to detect polyps and precancerous cells at its early stages. If there’s a family history of colon cancer, you may be required to begin your screening at an earlier age. If things look normal, individuals without a family history can schedule an exam every 10 years.

Lipid Assessment

There’s a link between high cholesterol, heart attacks, heart disease and stroke. To lower your risk of the deadly diseases, you want to have a lipid panel assessment. Individuals who are over the age of 20 should have a blood panel done to monitor the good HDL and bad LDL’s. Diet and exercise can improve the bad levels naturally. But if high cholesterol runs in your family, you may need medication to bring your levels within a normal range.

Depression

Mental health is a serious issue that plagues many teens and adults. If you have feelings of suicide, sadness or a lack of energy, you want to speak to a health care professional. The right screenings can determine the best treatment plan before your depression becomes crippling. Medication and therapy can also assist patients before they hurt themselves or someone else.

Blood Glucose

When you’re getting your cholesterol and blood pressure tested, your doctor can also order blood and urine test to assess your blood glucose. Type 2 diabetes can affect both men and women and at all body sizes and shapes.

If your tests come back at abnormal levels, there are things that you can do to keep the disease from progressing such as monitor your diet and incorporate more exercise into your day. Although individuals over 40 are prime candidates to get tested, patients who show signs of excessive thirst and urination, weight loss and fatigue should see a physician.

Osteoporosis

A bone density test was once thought to be a test designed for women mostly. But testing is also instrumental for men who smoke, drink excessively, take certain medications and are sedentary. Designed to determine a person’s bone strength and fracture probability, this non-invasive screening takes a few minutes to perform. Weight bearing exercises, certain plant based foods, vitamin D and proper sleep can help strengthen your bones.

Taking care of your body entails more than physical fitness and nutritious foods. To ensure that you’re in tip-top shape, scheduling the proper health screenings can detect problems at their early stages before they get out of hand.