Medical Tests And Exams No One Should Miss

Everyone wants to be healthier. They take the time to exercise and eat right. Perhaps they even skip out on a few dinners to ensure they're sticking with their diet. However, something most individuals typically don't do is regularly undergo medical tests and exams. In some cases, it's likely because they don't feel they need to. After all, they feel healthy and are slim! Others may choose not to undergo regular medical tests and exams because they fear the truth. No one wants to receive a call telling them they actually have cancer. Many believe it's easier to live in denial. However, everyone should undergo the following medical tests and exams regularly. This will ensure they're just as healthy as they appear to be and will remain as such for as long as possible.

Regular Physical Exam

When it comes to prevention, there is often nothing better than a regular physical exam. These are the annual physicals health insurance and job typically require from individuals. Or, at the very least, a physical everyone should require themselves to undergo. A doctor can use the check-up to ensure their patient is in good health, such as ensuring they are maintaining a healthy weight, keeping control over their blood pressure, and catching potential issues early. They can also use the time to keep patients up to date on any vaccinations they need to have. While most physical exams are pretty standard, there may be exceptions for those who have a family history of heart disease or other problems. The doctor may choose to pay special attention to certain parts of a patient's body to ensure they are not also developing the disease or condition. Women typically receive a breast exam during their physical, even before they reach the need for regular mammograms and other tests.

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Pelvic Exam And Pap Smear

While no woman may like the idea of a pelvic exam and Pap smear, they are both necessary examinations for women to ensure their body is at its healthiest. It can be difficult to know if tumors or cancerous growths have developed in these parts of the body without the exam. A Pap smear typically involves a test for the cervical cells of the woman's body. A doctor uses a small brush and spatula to scrape off a few cervical cells. Those cells are then examined under a microscope to look for any abnormalities. The Pap smear is one of the most effective methods of screening for cervical cancer. Women should typically start having Pap smears when they reach twenty-one years old and then continue to have one every three years, provided the result come back normal (if they return abnormal results, doctors will work with patients on the appropriate course of action from there). For a pelvic exam, a doctor will look at the woman's external pelvic area, including the vagina, hips, and organs. They will also check the woman's pelvic muscle strength. A pelvic exam typically needs to be done less than a Pap smear.

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Regular Immunizations

In the case of children, there are quite a few regular immunizations they should have. Soon after they are born, typically within the first twenty-four hours, they should receive a hepatitis B vaccine. Their second dose of this vaccine should be after a month or two has passed. At two months, they should also be given their RV, PCV, HiB, IPV, and DTaP vaccinations, which should be given again when they're four months and six months old. When babies are at least six months old, they can begin to receive their annual flu shot, which will help prevent them from catching the flu. Reports indicate even if someone develops the flu after receiving the shot, since it is not always entirely effective, it will greatly reduce the severity of the patient's illness and will help speed up their recovery. Adults should receive the vaccinations listed above if they haven't already. Doctors can help keep track of this and advise on potential booster shots, and any necessary additional vaccines (including ones needed for traveling to certain countries). Older adults should also look at the shingles vaccine.

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Colon Cancer Screening

Interestingly enough, there has been an increase in colon cancer in younger adults. Colon cancer is typically associated with older adults, yet more and more young adults are discovering polyps and cancer within their colon. Individuals should have regular colon cancer screening appointments to ensure their large intestine and colon are healthy. The screening essentially looks for polyps and other problems within the large intestine.

There are a few different kinds of tests for colon cancer. The first is through a stool examination. For this, patients will basically send a sample of their stools in for examination. Doctors will check the stool for signs of bleeding or other problems that may arise from colon cancer. The other type of test is sigmoidoscopy. This is different from a colonoscopy in that it only views the lower third part of an individual's colon. It does, however, involve a scope being inserted through the colon. The colonoscopy is another screening test in which a scope examines the entire colon for any problems and is the most thorough.

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Cholesterol Profile

Many patients, particularly those who have a family history of heart disease, will be given the suggestion of regularly having cholesterol tests performed. These tests essentially look to ensure a patient's cholesterol is kept at a healthy level. A patient's cholesterol profile can determine how healthy they are now and how healthy they will be in the future. Having high cholesterol can lead to a series of other problems, including increasing the patient's risk of developing heart disease, a stroke, diabetes, and even chronic kidney disease. A cholesterol test is basically a blood draw. In some cases, patients will be told to fast before the draw, though this may not always be the case. Otherwise healthy individuals should typically have a cholesterol test performed every five years after turning twenty years old. Individuals at risk for heart disease or those who have high blood pressure should be tested more often. By knowing their cholesterol, patients can prevent developing worse issues for their body in the future.