Knowing what is going on inside your body is key if you want to live a long and healthy life. This is done by having regular screening tests performed as requested by your doctor. While the ultimate decision whether to have them or not is yours, it is best to go with your doctor’s recommendation.
Age-Specific Tests
Some tests are age-specific meaning once you reach a certain age, the screenings are no longer required. Four falling in this category are colonoscopy for both genders, mammogram and pap smear for women, and the PSA test for men.
Colonoscopy - Studies have found that in people over the age of 75, the benefit of getting a colonoscopy may not outweigh the risk. Of course, if past colonoscopys have indicated some concern, your doctor may want you to continue getting them at the prescribed interval.
Mammograms - Most experts now agree that mammograms for women over the age of 75 are of little value, if one had “clean” tests before that age. And the same with pap smears, but at a different age; for most women having three negative tests in the previous 10 years before age 65, the test most likely no longer required.
PSA - For men, no medical group recommends having a PSA test if over the age of 75, provided past tests are negative and there aren’t risk factors present to warrant getting them done once past this age.
Later Age-Specific Tests
Bone Density - While some tests end at a certain age, others start. For example, women should get a bone density scan starting at age 65, unless risk factors indicate tests should be done at an earlier age. Men should get tested starting at age 70. Women need to start getting tested five years younger than men because of a drop in estrogen once fully post-menopausal, which can increase the rate of bone density loss. Starting a prevention plan when first detected can slow down the rate of loss.
AAA - Another test that men age 65 to 70 should get, especially if they have smoked during their life is a AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm) test. It is a one-time ultrasound test to screen for aneurysm of the aorta between the heart and abdomen. If an aneurysm exists and ruptures, the result is usually fatal, so it is a test work getting. At the same time, a test of the carotid artery may be done also for the same reason.
Know Your Numbers
At a minimum, three critical blood tests worth routinely getting are pressure, sugar and cholesterol.
Blood pressure – This test measures the force of blood against the arteries. Ideally, the readings should be 130/80 systolic/diastolic, respectively.
Blood sugar – This test measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. An A1c reading less than 6% could indicate prediabetes while a reading less than 7% could indicate diabetes.
Cholesterol – This is a waxy substance created in the liver, but if the good HDL to bad LDL ratio is too low, it can indicate an increased risk of artery blockage and a resulting heart attack or stroke.
BMI - One other number worth knowing is body mass index or BMI. It is a ratio of height-to-weight and is one indicator if you weigh too much for your height. A BMI of 18.6 to 24.9 indicates normal, while 25 and over is too high and indicates obesity.
Sometimes a person doesn’t know something is going on in their body that could result in a shortened life span or at least a reduction in the quality of life. Getting these regular screenings at the appropriate times can prevent something catastrophic from happening.
My Recommendations:
Sante Boost Coffee for Energy and Virility
Free Shipping Nationwide 🚚
Cash on Delivery 💰
WITHIN THE PHILIPPINES
No comments:
Post a Comment