“HEALTH IS WEALTH” and “PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE”… these are just simple proverb we have learnt while growing up, but never reallised the importance of these simple one-liners unless our health hit us hard and we fall sick.
Spiritual leader DALAI LAMA quoted;
“Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health…”
This simple line says it all, we are struck by wisdom in his words, It is about maintaining our body and good health throughout our lifetime. Just like investing in a retirement fund, it is extremely important to invest in your health today in order to enjoy a healthy and productive life in your later years.
I am sure we all have number of excuses that we use to avoid seeing our doctors on a regular basis like:
- We’re too young and healthy to need a doctor,
- No family medical history,
- Visiting doctor is too expensive (Rising cost of healthcare)
- Too scared that something might actually be wrong with us, or
- We’re just too busy or too lazy
But whatever the excuses don’t forget health is wealth and research shows regular health screening and check-ups can actually save lives, both young and old.
“It is very essential to have your regular medical, eye and dental checkups, if you want to live a long and healthy life.”
WHY REGULAR MEDICAL SCREENING IS IMPORTANT?
- Regular health screening and tests can help find problems before they start.
- They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better.
- Screening can help us live longer and healthier lives.
- Screening essentially helps in identifying diseases in people who do not yet have any symptoms or signs of it.
- It also cut your health care costs:Checkups could also save you plenty of money & lower the risks for surgery or more extensive medical care in the future.
- In today’s age, the changing lifestyle, stress and pollution levels can lead to health issues for which early checks are necessary before the problem gets compounded.
“It is also important not to confuse diagnostic tests with preventive care, preventive care is your way of health practice that you participate in every day of your life”
HOW OFTEN YOU NEED HEALTH CHECKUP? How often you need health checkup depends on various factors like: Your age, Health and family history, Lifestyle choices e.g. what you eat, how active you are, whether you smoke, drink. If you are healthy and in your early 20 to 30 you should do health checkup once every 3 years and post 30 you should do once every 1 to 2 years.
Here are List of General health checkup everybody should do;
- General physical examination: e.g. body weight, body mass index test (BMI) for obesity and blood pressure.
- Blood check up: complete blood test (CBC),
- Blood sugar level: for checking blood glucose level for pre_diabetes and diabetes.
- Liver function test: for liver functioning and liver diseases.
- Kidney function test: for kidney functioning
- Lipid profile/cholesterol test: for risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Urine analysis: for general evaluation of health, metabolic and systemic diseases.
- Chest X-ray: for examination of chest and organ located in chest area.
- ECG (electrocardiogram) or treadmill test: for assessment of heart rate, heartbeat and cardiac stress.
- Ultrasonography of abdomen: Diagnostic imaging technique used for visualizing organs and structures in the abdomen including the liver, gall bladder, spleen, pancreas and the kidneys.
Special health screening:
- Sexually Transmitted disease (STD): Sexually transmitted infections can make it hard to get pregnant, may affect your baby, and can cause other health problems.
- Get screened for chlamydia, herpes (HSV) and gonorrhea infections if you are 24 years or younger and sexually active.
- If you are older than 24 years, ask your doctor whether you should be screened for other sexually transmitted infection.
- AIDS/HIV test and screening: no matter if you young or old get screening for HIV done every 3 years.
- For Women: apart from general test mention above women should go for special check:
- For breast cancer: Mammography, breast checkup for lump, and early breast cancer diagnosis once every 2 years.
- Pap smear test /cervical smear test and HPV test (human papilloma virus): for viral infections and detection of cervical cancer once every 2 to 3 years.
Oral screening (Dental checkup): Oral and dental health is window to your overall health, Good oral health plays an important role in the overall health of your body. After all, inflammatory gum disease can lead to tooth loss, while bacteria buildup in the mouth and periodontal and gum diseases has been said to put you at increased risk of heart disease. Systemic conditions such as AIDS or diabetes, often first become apparent as mouth lesions or other oral problems. In fact, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases produce oral signs and symptoms.
Eye checkup: It is important for people of all ages to schedule vision and eye care tests. Optometrists and eye doctors can check for glaucoma and provide vision reports and possible glasses or contact lens prescriptions.
“You are in charge of your body, take good care of it because it is only place you have to live in. It’s time to take charge of your health, Schedule an appointment with your health care provider to discuss what screenings and exams you need and when you need them.”
Adapt healthy habits, lifestyle and attempt to improve your health through preventive method. Eating nutritious and balanced diet, sleeping well and exercising regularly can dramatically change your health, body and mind.
🙂 P.S stay Healthy Stay Blessed 🙂
Very informative blog, looking forward for more blogs.
Hi Farida,
It’s a very useful information on Importance of Regular Health Checkups. We find ourselves caught in severe health conditions that too at a later stage. To avoid such circumstances, go for regular health checkups. With regular health checkups, we can make sure that our body is not invaded by any serious ailment or other medical conditions like diabetes, cholesterol, hypertension, blood-related diseases, tumors and other diseases.
Regards,
MhdAslam.