Is it time for a medical checkup?

The medical check-up is a medical evaluation that, through the analysis of the personal and family history, the assessment of the lifestyle and the physical examination, determines the need to make recommendations to strengthen or modify demeanors in order to maintain the state of health that the person presents. 

There are many silent diseases that only manifest discomfort in advanced stages, reason enough to carry out a preventive medical check-up once a year, an indication that is recommended since the age of 18. 

These poor health and lifestyle problems do not produce any symptoms in the early stages, so most people are asymptomatic.

Who is the general check-up for? 

As it is a preventive behavior, it is aimed at apparently healthy people or those who have risk factors such as a family history of cardiovascular problems, cholesterol or cancer. Also for those who have lifestyles that include demeanors such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle and improper diet, since it increases the risk of suffering from diseases.

What analysis do I need according to age?

At 18 to 30 years

General physical examination, with weight, height, basic analytics and, in both men and women, blood pressure. Cholesterol in the blood at least every 4 years since the age of 18. As for sexually active people, you should also take the HIV test and update the vaccines. Emphasize good healthy lifestyle habits and tobacco cessation. In women, cytology and gynecological examination every 2 to 3 years.

At 30-40 years

Up to the age of 40, people go to the doctor’s office when they have symptoms or health problems. However, since the age of 40, everyone is recommended to have a medical check-up every 1 or 2 years. In women of this age group, in addition to cytology to rule out cervical cancer, it is recommended to do the HPV test every 5 years, up to 65. Also, breast cancer prevention with mammograms every 2 years.

From 50

It is also important to detect cardiovascular risk factors with blood pressure, weight and height measurements every two years; detection of cholesterol and blood glucose, every 2 years, and evaluation of toxic habits every two years.

Determination of occult blood in feces is recommended every two years, between the ages of 50 and 70, for colon cancer detection.

From 60 onwards

In addition to what is recommended in the previous years, other measures are being added, such as, for example, advice on physical exercise in people over 65 at risk of falls. In addition, an electrocardiogram is recommended at this age. And it is in these years when the important field of vaccination in adults opens up, with two fundamental milestones: annual influenza vaccination and pneumococcal vaccination.

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For more information visit Gran Alacant Family Doctors

www.familydoctors24h.com or our clinic on Calle Holanda 9, MASA Square, Gran Alacant T: 865 789 554