When last did you have a health check?

September 11, 2014 by Bukola Adebayo 1 Comment

   

 

For many people, going to the doctor for medical check-up is something they avoid unless they become terribly sick. In fact, the hospital is usually the last resort for most people when they are sick, not to talk of when they are well.

But doctors note that the hospital is not only meant for the sick and the ill, but it is also for those who seem to be well.

Family physician, Dr. Femi Omolola, notes that going to the doctor can be a helpful way to determine one’s health condition and also helps one to make the necessary changes before small problems become bigger issues.

Omolola says you must have “a sickness and in health relationship” with your doctor by going for regular medical check-ups, even when you are well.

According to the expert, terminal illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis and heart diseases, which kill millions of people, could be detected and prevented through regular medical check-ups.

Omolola states, “It is painful when I see hopeless cases that could have been tackled if only the patient had come for screening or check-up, may be 10-or five years earlier.

“Take, for instance, breast cancer. If lumps are removed earlier, the chances of you developing breast cancer later in life would have been reduced by 90 per cent. But if you don’t come for screening or undergo medical examinations, how will you know that you have a malignant tumour growing inside of you?”

He adds, “Look at cervical cancer that is killing women every day; it is curable when it is detected early. But if the woman does not go for pap smear, how will the doctor detect it early? We must develop a relationship with our personal doctor and you don’t have to wait till you are sick before you go for screening.

“Women, especially, need to have regular health checks. See your doctor for regular medical check-ups to help you stay healthy and also to pick up early warning signs of disease or illness.

“Many diseases such as cardiovascular (heart) disease, diabetes and some cancers can be picked up in their early stages; and it is at this early stage that treatment is effective.”

Again, consultant gynaecologist, Dr. Lanre Durowoju, notes that 80 per cent of sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and other diseases that affect sperm motility and fertility could be detected early if infected persons go for regular medical check-up.

The expert notes that many STDs and STIs usually would not give an infected person any symptoms until they have caused irreparable damages to reproductive organs, hence the need for regular testing and screening.

Durowoju states, “If you are sexually active and you are between the ages of 15 and 29, you should get tested for Chlamydia every year. Chlamydia is very common and does not always show symptoms. It causes infertility, but it can be detected through a simple urine test.

“Any man that has more than one sexual partner — whether married or single — must undergo gynaecological screening every year to check for STDs. It will not give you any symptoms if you are infected; so until you do a basic urine test, you will not know and this could affect sperm production and count. If you are at risk of other sexually transmissible infections, ask your doctor about further testing.”

How often should you have a medical check-up depends on your age and your health condition. Doctors note and recommend that people of all age groups need to go for checks at least once every two years.

Durowoju adds, “Even a three-month-old baby needs to be screened by a paediatrician for signs of heart diseases, asthma, autism and other diseases that could affect his or her health later in life. Most cases of hole-in-heart could have been detected if the parents took those children for health checks early.

“Prevention saves money, but chronic conditions require costly treatment. Also, people who see their doctors regularly are more likely to take steps to improve or maintain their health.”

The doctors have said it all, ignorance is no bliss. Here are some basic blood tests that experts recommend that one should do every year to keep diseases at bay.

• Blood pressure test: Have your blood pressure checked every two years if your blood pressure is normal and there is no family history of high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is on the high side, or you have a personal or family history of high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack, it’s best to have it checked more frequently. Be advised by your doctor
• Blood tests: It is a good idea to check your cholesterol levels and blood triglycerides from time to time. High levels may indicate an increased risk of various health problems, including heart disease. If you’re over 45, you should undergo blood test once every two years and more frequently as you get older. If you’re at high risk of cardiovascular disease, you should be tested every year.
• Obesity tests: Being overweight is a significant risk factor for many health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Ask your doctor to check your body mass index and waist measurement every two years.
• Pap tests: You should have a pap test every two years. This screening is an important test to pick up signs of irregularities that could lead to cervical cancer if not treated. The first pap test should be within two years of the first time you have sex and you should continue to have them every two years until you are 70. Even if you have been vaccinated, you should continue to have regular pap tests. If you have an increased risk of cervical cancer, you may need more regular testing.