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| Health screening |
No matter how healthy you try to eat, it can be difficult to maintain optimal health when every day brings different struggles and obstacles. Being in control of your health, however, doesn’t have to be so daunting. By knowing which screenings you need and scheduling them regularly, you can ensure that you’re staying healthy and preventing any illnesses or diseases from setting in down the road. Let’s take a look at seven important health screenings that everyone needs to know about.
1) Blood pressure
Blood pressure is an important health screening that you should do regularly. To measure your blood pressure, you will need a cuff and stethoscope. Wrap the cuff around your arm, making sure it is at the same level as your heart. The cuff should be as snug as possible without hurting. Take a deep breath in and let it out slowly while listening to the sound of blood pulsing through your arteries using the stethoscope. If you can't find a pulse, tighten or loosen the cuff accordingly. A general rule of thumb is if the person's arms are slender, use a smaller cuff size. If the person's arms are large, use a larger size. Keep measuring until you get two consecutive readings within 10 points of each other.
Think about when you had your last physical. Did they check for any health screenings?
2) Cholesterol
There are two different types of cholesterol: LDL and HDL. These types of cholesterol carry different levels of risk for heart disease. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is a bad type of cholesterol that can cause blockages in the blood vessels and eventually lead to a heart attack. HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is a good type of cholesterol that helps remove LDL from your bloodstream. The goal of a healthy cholesterol level is to have more HDL than LDL. You should aim for at least 50% HDL. When you go in for a health screening, your doctor will do an analysis of your lipid profile which will tell you how much LDL and HDL you have along with triglycerides (another form of fat found in the body).
3) Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which your blood sugar level is too high. It can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure. If you have diabetes, you need regular health screenings that include: blood pressure checks and glucose tests. The American Diabetes Association recommends you get your cholesterol checked at least every five years. High cholesterol increases the risk of coronary artery disease.
Start of new paragraph (four sentences using the words: Health screening): According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer begins when cells grow out of control and build up into a mass called a tumor. There are many different types of cancers, but all start from abnormal cells in one part of the body spreading to other parts.
4) HIV
HIV testing is one of the most critical health screenings you need to know about. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all adults aged 18-65 who are at high risk for HIV get tested at least once in their lifetime. If you're sexually active, using intravenous drugs, or have sexual contact with someone who does, then it's even more important for you to take the test.
Find out what your risk factors are and plan so you can make informed decisions. You may want to get tested if:
-You're a man who has sex with other men, male or female sex partners, an injecting drug user;
-You use IV drugs;
-You have had unprotected sex with multiple partners; or, you share needles with others.
5) Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and unfortunately, it's one of the deadliest. The following are seven health screenings you need to know about, as they can help detect lung cancer early on.
1) Chest x-ray: A chest x-ray is a low-cost way of screening for lung problems like pneumonia or tuberculosis. It can also be used to screen for diseases such as heart disease or bronchiectasis. However, a chest x-ray cannot diagnose lung cancer; it only shows up signs of possible conditions. A chest x-ray will not work if the patient has any metal objects or tattoos in the area being examined.
6) Skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than 3.5 million people diagnosed each year. Fortunately, skin cancer can be easily detected and treated before it becomes life-threatening. One of the best ways to detect skin cancer early is through a yearly exam from your dermatologist. What are some other health screenings you should know about? Other types of health screenings include colonoscopies, mammograms, Pap tests, pelvic exams, and dental exams. These are all important health screenings that doctors recommend for everyone at different intervals to make sure their overall health stays on track. Asking your doctor questions about these health screenings or any other health topics is an excellent way to stay proactive in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you want to learn more information about how regular health checkups can help maintain good health, contact your doctor or find a clinic near you!
7) STDs