Physicals and health assessments may help prevent and detect diseases.
With two-thirds of the U.S. population obese or overweight according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physicals and other health assessments are important parts of preventative medicine. The National Institutes of Health states that the goals of physical exams and health assessments are to screen for diseases, assess your risk of future medical problems, promote a healthy lifestyle, update your vaccinations and help maintain a relationship with your doctor.
Physical Exam
During a physical exam, a doctor examines you to ensure your overall health is good. Generally, a doctor measures your height and weight and assesses your temperature with a thermometer. She also checks your blood pressure, uses a stethoscope to listen to your heart and other organs for abnormal activity, examines your eyes with an ophthalmoscope and examines your mouth, ears and nose with an otoscope. Your doctor will ask a series of questions about your overall health. It's a good idea to come prepared with your own list of questions as well.
Men
Many types of health assessments are important for men. Starting at age 35, men should get a cholesterol level test at least every five years. Men should also get a blood pressure level test every two years. Men should be screened for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. It's also important for men to regularly check their testicles for lumps and painful spots. Normally a physician will perform this test during a physical examination. Other common health assessment tests for men include diabetes tests, depression screenings, prostate cancer tests and sexually transmitted diseases tests.
Women
Like men, women should get a cholesterol test every five years beginning at age 35, get a blood pressure test every two years and get tested for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. In addition, women should get a mammogram every one to two years starting at age 40. Younger women should have a pelvic exam and Pap smear every one to two years starting at age 21. Women should also do a monthly breast examination themselves to check for lumps, which may help detect breast cancer. Additional health assessments for women include diabetes assessments, depression assessments, osteoporosis tests and STD tests.
Senior Citizens
Senior citizens aged 65 and older should see their doctor for additional tests and assessments. The abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is important for men between the ages of 65 and 75 who are smokers. Senior citizens should get their blood pressure tested every year and in some cases more often. To screen for colon cancer, senior citizens should get either a stool test every year, flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years along with a stool guaiac test, a colonoscopy every ten years or a computed tomographic colonography.
Prevention/Solution
While physicals and health assessments are important, you can take preventative action by partaking in certain behaviors. Eat a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy oils and lean meats. Participate in regular physical activity. Don't smoke. Drink in moderation. Such behaviors can help prevent disease and help you maintain long-term health.
Tags: every years, health assessments, blood pressure, test every, assessments important, every five, every five years
