5 health screenings everyone should get
We know, we know. Getting yourself checked out can sometimes be scary. We know that once you know that you might have a condition, it can dramatically change your life. But also, getting routinely screened for various common maladies can help you by detecting these issues, which in turn, can improve your long-term health.
Here are five common screenings that adults should get to keep themselves in tip-top shape:
Blood Pressure Checks
Routinely having your blood pressure checked will allow your primary care physician know if you are beginning to trend towards high blood pressure stages. High blood pressure (or hypertension) can lead to strokes and heart attacks, amongst other serious health problems.
Those with higher risks of hypertension include: people who are African American, are overweight, are currently pregnant, lead a sedentary lifestyle, people who drink too much alcohol and smokers. Additional health issues such as kidney disease and diabetes can also be contributing factors.
Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. If you are concerned between your annual physician visits about your blood pressure, you can purchase an at-home blood pressure monitor to keep an accurate log.
Diabetes Screenings
Avoiding diabetes can be difficult for some. Those who are at risk of diabetes include those who are are overweight, don’t get enough physical exercise, or whom have already been diagnosed with prediabetes.
Getting your blood glucose checked is an important part of annual screenings. Those who are at risk can prevent or delay being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes by staying at a healthy weight, staying active, eating healthier and quitting smoking.
Cancer Screenings
Cancer is a very scary word for all of us. But modern medicine has come a long way in helping combat many types of cancers. An essential part of the battle against cancer is early detection.
Women should begin their cancer screenings in their 20s with routine well woman’s exams for HPV and mammograms at age 40 for breast cancer. Men should begin their screenings at middle age for prostate cancer.
Cholesterol Check
Cholesterol goes hand in hand with the other screenings. To help avoid heart issues, have your cholesterol checked every 4-6 years, or more often if recommended by your doctor if you have certain risk factors, including age, smoking, unhealthy diet, family history and certain medications. These checks include a lipid panel that will show your Total Cholesterol, your LDL (bad) cholesterol, your HDL (good) cholesterol and your triglycerides.
Colonoscopy
We know it’s not fun, but start getting your colon checked out starting around 45. Regular screenings can help prevent colorectal cancer or help to treat it more easily once discovered. Doctors can remove polyps during your screening, which can prevent them from turning cancerous or spreading.
Be at the Health Fair on July 19 and #GetCheckedandBeWell! Here’s some of our vendors who can perform these checks:
Texas Health Mobile Mammogram Unit
Texas Health Resources (Blood Pressure / Lipid Screenings)
