Even if you look and feel on top of the world, it’s always good to get regular check-ups with your doctor to ensure that there are no underlying health problems.
Alongside regular exercise and eating a great diet, regular health check-ups are one of the most effective ways to maintain optimal health. It’s also vital to treat and prevent a number of acute or chronic diseases.
Remaining diligent with your yearly medical check-ups could literally save your life by catching a disease in its early stages. So, it’s extremely important to stay on top of your regular scans and screenings.
Understandably, it’s not always easy to remember every single appointment that you need to book each year. Life is busy and you can easily let the months go by without remembering to get in touch with your doctor.
To help you stay on top of your health, here is a quick list of the ensure medical check-ups that you should be having each year.
Dental check
Oral health is usually one of the last things that people think of when they’re considering their overall health and well-being. However, research suggests that the two are very closely linked.
Even if you’re following the recommended oral hygiene practice of brushing twice a day and your mouth appears to be in good health, it’s important to get checked by a professional.
You should book a routine Brentwood dentistry appointment at least twice a year. During this appointment, your dentist will check the health of your gums and teeth, and might give them a quick polish if necessary.
Vitals
There are lots of underlying health conditions that don’t necessarily show any major symptoms until further down the line. Many of these conditions can be detected with a general medical check-up.
You should book an appointment to see your doctor once every six months so that they can measure your vital signs. Vitals include blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation levels. It can sometimes include blood glucose measurements.
If one or more of these vital signs or out of the normal range, it can indicate that there is something wrong. Should your doctor detect any abnormalities in your readings, they will be able to order further testing to ensure that there are no deeper issues to be concerned about.
Pap smears
Beginning around the age of 21 to 25 and ending around the age of 60 to 65, a Pap smear is necessary for all women once a year. Note that in some countries, women may only be required to have this test once every 3-5 years.
The Pap smear tests for abnormal, cancerous cells in the cervix and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA, which is a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to cervical cancer.
During the Pap smear, a speculum is used to widen the cervix so that a small sample of the cells can be taken. The cells are then tested in the lab to ensure that none of them are cancerous.
Pap smears are quick and painless, so there is nothing to worry about. If you’re feeling apprehensive, speak to your doctor. They will be able to offer you some reassurance and provide more information about the procedure.
