As we grace the inevitable process of aging, one of the last things on your mind would be the changes happening within your body as you grow older. To be fair – that’s understandable, as life often keeps us busy. But health complications encountered towards people as they age can often go unnoticed until they become serious and require medical attention and assistance. Research published by medical experts reveal that one in four US adults today have two or more chronic conditions while 50% of older adults are diagnosed with a higher risk of three or more. Ask any medical expert for advice and they will often recommend one thing – regular check ups. Here are the appointments you should be booking as you age:
Why Health Check Ups Are Important
Regular health check ups are essential, especially with the older adult population as they are able to help identify early warning signs of diseases and illness. Cancer, heart disease and diabetes are all serious health implications that can fortunately be detected in their early stages and hence allow for more effective treatment. In addition to this, your general practitioner can also alert you of any potential risk in developing future medical complications down the line and hence provide frequent opportunities for you to examine your lifestyle and identify changes that need to be made from their assessment and advice. This is made possible through consultations of qualified experts such as an Adult-Gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP). AGNPs are registered nurses that specialize in treatment and health care for patients that can vary at age from infants to those who are elderly. Having met requirements by a certain amount of experience or by studying online AGNP programs, an AGNP is useful in providing health check ups as they are certified to administer medications, coordinate and analyze diagnostic tests as well as design and implement comprehensive treatment plans for their patients. Having the appropriate qualified experts can ensure that you are provided with the most adequate care as possible.
Types Of Health Checks
Health problems come in all forms and sizes. Different types of check-ups are put in place to ensure that your GP correctly identifies the following. These are recommended as they address the general illnesses and diseases that adults may likely encounter as they age.
Blood Pressure Check Up
High blood pressure is a common health complication that affects nearly half of adult Americans in the US. It occurs from the pressure that develops when blood begins to push against the walls of our arteries. Early detections of potential high blood pressure can help kickstart treatments that can ensure prevention. Having your blood pressure checked every 2 years is recommended if you are under 40. However, if you are much older, it’s a good idea to have it checked yearly as your chances of developing it, in addition to the risks of heart attacks, are higher.
Cancer Screening
According to the latest statistical insights, almost 2 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the US during 2025 – excluding Melanoma skin cancer. But with early detections made possible through cancer screenings, treatment options are likely to be more effective for patients who are at risk. Cancer screenings involve administering blood, urine or DNA tests to ensure early detection of cancer developments before symptoms appear. If you have a family history of cancer – this may be the top priority of medical checkups for you. Even if this isn’t the case, it’s never a bad idea to get screened occasionally. Different cancer screenings are available to check for bowel, cervical, lung and even testicular cancer.
Cholesterol Screening
High cholesterol levels in our blood can be dangerous as it can lead to heart attacks, coronary arteries and other forms of cardiovascular illnesses. Cholesterol screening procedures such as a lipid panel can test for cholesterol levels through blood samples taken from a patient. Screenings are recommended for people of all ages, even as young as 2 years old, if a family history of high cholesterol is on record. Between ages 20 to 65, however, the National Heart, Lungs and Blood Institute recommends an average visit of screenings for young adults to be at least once every 5 years while those above 45 years old are advised to be screened every 1 to 2 years.
Good health should always be a priority no matter what age we are. This is especially important for those who are approaching their later adult years. Medical appointments for different illnesses are available, and through qualified experts such as an AGNP, we can ensure that treatments for any detectable signs are taken care of. Leaving medical appointments to the last minute, right when you feel that something is wrong, can prove challenging further down the road. So encourage yourself to go get a check-up whenever you can fit one into your schedule. Go for prevention – it’s better than cure.