3 Common Screenings Performed During a Health Checkup

Do you remember when your last health checkup was? If you are overdue, or simply thinking it is time to schedule your health checkup, keep reading to learn more about the importance of keeping on top of such screenings.

This type of preventive care medical appointment is one that can help detect any health-related problems before they have a chance to get out of control. When it comes to how often you need to schedule a regular health checkup appointment, it is necessary to ask a primary care doctor to see if it is needed annually or more frequently. In general, babies and children should undergo these appointments once a year, whereas many adults may not need to do so but every couple of years instead.

A health checkup appointment consists of various things, depending on the patient's needs and circumstances. Continue reading to learn more about what is involved.

About the importance of primary care

It really is essential for you to schedule this important appointment before you are experiencing any signs and symptoms that make you want to go see a doctor. Primary care medical services include regular checkup appointments, which are a very important part of your overall health strategy. If any health problems happen to be found during this appointment, then your primary care doctor will let you know what your next step is going to be.

3 Common types of screenings performed during a health checkup

The list below includes some of the more common screenings that primary care doctors will perform on their patients when they come in for their regular health checkup appointment. Reviewing these can be helpful when preparing for an appointment later on.

1. Cholesterol test

A cholesterol test, also known as a lipid panel, is important because it allows a primary care doctor to understand the amount of good cholesterol and bad cholesterol someone has in their blood. When someone has too much cholesterol in their bloodstream, it can lead to stroke or being diagnosed with heart disease.

Having cholesterol tests done regularly can ensure that one's health is in optimal condition. If the test detects that one is not in good health then the physician will make the necessary treatment recommendations to resolve the problem. Typically, cholesterol problems result in the need to improve diet and make other lifestyle changes, such as exercising more and eliminating smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

2. Pelvic exam or pap smear for women

Women need to undergo a pelvic examination and a pap smear on a regular basis. A pelvic examination is necessary in order to check for any signs of sexually transmitted diseases or other conditions relating to the reproductive system. Pap smears are screenings for cervical cancer, which every woman typically needs to have done by the time they are 21 years of age. It will depend on each individual woman’s situation when it comes to how frequently she needs one or both of these screenings performed. However, most commonly, they are to be performed once a year during a health checkup.

3. Testicular exam or prostate cancer screening for men

All men need to undergo a testicular examination and a prostate cancer screening on a regular basis. The testicular examination requires a primary care doctor to examine each testicle for any problems, such as tenderness, lumps, or changes in size. Prostate cancer screenings are one of the more important cancer screenings for men. Most men will need to undergo this screening by the time they reach 40, with some men not needing to undergo the procedure until they reach the age of 50.

Other things to keep in mind

Health checkup appointments can be easy to forget or put off, but it is necessary to understand their importance of them. Without regularly being seen by a medical professional, one's health can be at risk. The average person is not trained to detect red flags that might be present. This can lead to conditions getting overlooked and worsening over time.

Are you overdue for a health checkup?

Now that you understand more about some of the more common screenings that are performed during a health checkup, you can have an idea of what to expect when you attend a checkup appointment. Any unanswered questions or concerns can be addressed during these appointments, as well. Contact us today to schedule your checkup appointment or to learn more about what type of screenings you should be getting on a regular basis.

Get more information here: https://eldridgeclinic.com or call Eldridge Family Clinic at (281) 946-1351

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