These days, even though people are interested in their health, they are often too busy and forget to schedule an appointment. As a result of this lack of attention being paid to one’s health, adult diseases caused by stress, unsafe diets, being overworked, environmental pollution, lack of exercise or living in a harmful environment have detrimental effects to the quality of life. In order to help stay healthy, and discover any problems early on, periodic medical checkups are essential.
Here are the seven essential medical checkups for everyone.
High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. A blood pressure level of 140/90 mm Hg or higher is considered high. If your numbers are between 120/80 and 139/89 mm Hg, then you have pre-hypertension. You should get a blood pressure test done at least once every two years for high blood pressure from the age of 35.
Cholesterol
Go for a lipid profile to measure your cholesterol as well as triglyceride (unsaturated fat) levels. A surefire way to work out your risk for heart disease. Screening should start at 35 for men and 45 for women.
BMI Test
Body Mass Index (BMI) is your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height. A BMI between 18.5 and 25 means you are normal, above 30 means your are overweight, and above 40 means you are obese. Those are the international standards, in India, the adult mean BMI level is 23. Obesity invites cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, arthritis and certain cancers. Over 30 per cent of adults in urban India, between age 30 and 65, are seriously overweight.
Heart
A number of tests are available in most hospitals to check how healthy your heart is: from recording the electrical activity of the heart, computer imaging to simple needle pricks for blood test, insertion of tubes and devices. Periodic checks from the age of 35 can guide you on lifestyle changes necessary to keep your heart healthy.
Waist
Even if you have a normal BMI but an apple-shaped tummy, beware. Waist circumference is the new marker for higher risk of heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. For men: risky if at or above 40 inches; for women: risky if at or above 35 inches.
Bones
61 million Indians have poor bones and higher risk of fracture. Use the World Health Organization's online frax calculation tool to check if you are likely to break a bone in the next 10 years. A bone densitometry test is for those at 60 and above.
Sugar
Excessive thirst, increased urination, fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, tingling hands and feet, swollen gums -if you notice any of these, contact your doctor. Blood sugar tests are for all over 45.
Dear friends if you like this kindly take a moment to hare with your friends circles also.
Really a nice post
ReplyDeleteAvalon Organics