When you go to the doctor to get a checkup, you may wonder if you need to have every type of examination if you are of a certain age. That is because when you are not yet a senior, you may think that your health would not be in any danger. That is why you may decide to skip the doctor and not go for your yearly checkup sometimes. However, that is a mistake because you can develop any condition at any age. And you need to have health screenings such as bone density and cholesterol often.
You Need To Have Thorough Examinations By Your Doctor Regardless Of Your Age
Here is the truth. Anyone can develop high cholesterol, and anyone can end up with cancer. That is why cancer screenings, cholesterol blood tests, and measuring blood sugar needs to be done at any age. Regardless of your age, you need to have your height and weight checked as well as your blood pressure. Your doctor may want you to get a flu shot as well regardless of your age. Now, let’s go over what you need to be checked specifically for each age range.
What You Need to be Checked Between The Ages of 18 to 39
You need to have your cholesterol checked yearly, and when you turn 35, you will need to have your cholesterol checked every six months. Men also need testicular exams, women need to have pelvic tests, and if they are sexually active, they need pap mears. Also, women need to have exams for breast lumps. And, everyone needs to have a full exam to look for moles and other suspicious markers on their skin. Therefore, if you are between these ages and you are skipping your checkups because you are young, you are making a mistake. Being young does not prevent you from developing an illness that could become life-threatening.
What You Need to be Checked Between The Ages of 40 to 64
All of the tests that you have conducted between 18 to 39 will continue for you. However, you will need extra exams during this stage. Women will begin to need mammograms as the risk for breast cancer does increase. Men will need to have prostate exams from the age of 50 onward unless there is a family history of it, then it starts at 40.
Additionally, the risk for diabetes is much higher in this stage which is why fasting blood sugar will need to be tested. And from age 45 onward, a colonoscopy needs to be conducted as well, unless there is a family history of colon cancer. In that case, it may start as young as 35. This test should be done every three years if there is a history of colon cancer, or if a polyp was found. Or, if there is no history of it, then it can be done every 10 years.
What You Need Checking At 65 And Over
Women need to have their bone density checked every two to five years, and the measurement of height and weight as shrinkage can indicate osteoporosis. You may end up with lung cancer screening from the age of 55 onward. You will also need to get the pneumococcal, pneumonia, and shingles vaccinations as you are at high risk for those conditions.
And you will need to pay extra attention to your health as you are at an age where anything can start to happen. But once again, age does not matter as you always need to go to the doctor. That is also why you went to a pediatrician when you were a child. Being at a young age does not guarantee excellent health.
