Jan. 12, 2023 | Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to enjoy a healthier lifestyle? One of the ways to do that is to undergo regular health screenings. Health screenings are tests that look for diseases before you have any symptoms. Screening tests can find diseases early, when they’re easier to treat. You can get some screenings in your doctor’s office. Others need special equipment, so you may need to go to a different office or clinic. Screening tests are given to people who seem healthy to try to find unnoticed problems. They come in many forms. Your doctor might take your health history and perform a physical exam to look for signs of health or disease. They can also include lab tests of blood, tissue, or urine samples or imaging procedures. If you’re at risk for certain health conditions, you may choose to have screenings more regularly. After a screening test, be sure to ask when you will get the results and whom you need to talk to about them.

Jan. 12, 2023 | You should visit your health care provider from time to time, even if you are healthy. Women between the ages of 18 and 39 should have their blood pressure checked at least once every two years. Women with known risk factors for coronary heart disease like high blood pressure should undergo a cholesterol screening at the age of 20. If you are a woman that’s overweight and has other risk factors such as high blood pressure and are planning to become pregnant, your doctor will likely recommend a screening for diabetes. Be sure to see your dentist twice a year for an exam and a cleaning, your dentist will evaluate you to determine if you need more frequent visits. An eye exam is recommended for women between 18 and 39 every two years or more often if recommended by your provider. Women who are sexually active should be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea up until age 25, even older if they are considered at high risk.

Jan. 12, 2023 | Women between the ages of 40 and 64 should undergo regular screenings for certain conditions. Having your blood pressure checked at least once every two years is a good first step. Your provider may check your skin for signs of skin cancer, especially if you’re at high risk. People at high risk include those who have had skin cancer before, have close relatives with skin cancer, or have a weakened immune system. Women with a mother or sister who had breast cancer at a younger age should consider yearly mammograms. They should begin earlier than the age at which their youngest family member was diagnosed. Women ages 30 through 65 should be screened for cervical cancer with either a Pap test every three years or the HPV test every five years. It’s recommended that women start getting their cholesterol screened at the age of 45. Those women over the age of 44 should be screened for diabetes every three years.

Jan. 12, 2023 | Men are less likely than women to seek medical care but even if you are feeling fine, you should see your provider for regular check-ups. Those men between the ages of 18 and 39 should have their blood pressure tested at least once every two years. If the top number is 130 or greater or the bottom number is 80 or greater, schedule an appointment with your provider to learn how you can reduce your blood pressure. The recommended starting ages for cholesterol screening are age 35 for men with no known risk factors for coronary heart disease and age 20 for men with known risk factors. All adults ages 18 to 79 should get a one-time test for hepatitis C. Men between 18 and 39 should have their health care provider check their skin for signs of skin cancer, particularly if they are at risk. And talk with your provider about colon cancer screening if you have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps or if you have had inflammatory bowel disease.

Jan. 12, 2023 | The health screening needs of men between the ages of 40 and 64 include having your blood pressure checked at least once every two years. It’s recommended that men start getting cholesterol screenings once they turn 35. Once cholesterol screening has started, your cholesterol should be checked every five years. Men under 50 should talk to their health care provider about getting screened for colorectal cancer. You should be screened if you have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps. Screening may also be considered if you have risk factors such as a history of inflammatory bowel disease or polyps. Men should have an eye exam every two to four years between the ages of 40 and 54 and every one to three years ages between 55 and 64. Your provider may recommend more frequent eye exams if you have vision problems or glaucoma risk. An eye exam at least every year is recommended if you have diabetes.