most important medical exams

Medical tests: Which ones are most important? How often should I be tested?

One of the questions medical doctors are asked most is some variation of this: "How often should I be checked for high blood pressure?" -- or bone density or colorectal cancer, or any of several other standard health tests. You name the type of screening, and chances are that many people are unsure how often to have these important tests.

SHOP Amazon's Top 100* Best Selling Vitamins & Nutritional Supplements
+ Free Shipping & Returns on Eligible Items.
(*Amazon's Top 100 list updated hourly.)

Regular check-ups are very important. If you're overdue for an annual physical, why not make an appointment today? The chart on this page will give you a quick, handy reference you can discuss with your healthcare provider. Remember: you and your health are unique, so use this guide as a starting point. And be sure to ask if any other tests are needed, based on your age, as well as your health history and that of family members.

Each test is designed to see a problem in its earliest stages. This is a good thing! Catching problems early avoids the damage advanced disease can do to your health.

An even better solution is identifying a needed lifestyle change early enough to avoid a problem altogether. For instance, if you have high blood pressure, your condition probably did not appear overnight. High blood pressure may be officially diagnosed when the top number (systolic) reaches 140, but damage is occurring when the number exceeds 132. And this is a far cry from the "ideal" number of 115. So, you should strive for 115, not just a number below 140.

Another example is LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol. This is the "bad" or "lethal" cholesterol. Some laboratories report that this value is "high" when it exceeds 130. Unfortunately, the reality is that damage is occurring when your level is above 110. And the worldwide average of LDL cholesterol is 70! Many countries with the lowest levels are not plagued with heart disease and Alzheimer's as we are. So 70 becomes your ideal measurement goal.

One last example of a disease that may "sneak up on you" is diabetes. Most labs report that you have diabetes if your blood sugar (glucose) is above 125. Endocrinologists recognize that damage is occurring when your sugar reaches 110. And the median number for blood sugar in healthy people is around 85. People with a fasting glucose that is 5 points higher or lower than 85 are likely having symptoms of disturbed blood sugar.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure so early detection is your best solution to effectively treating a potentially life-threatening diagnosis. Add years to your life and life to your years by getting a checkup today!

Blood Pressure Checks At least every two years, if normal
Cholesterol Test Checked at least once, then regularly as determined by your healthcare provider and depending upon family history
Homocysteine Test Checked at least once, then regularly as determined by your healthcare provider
Physical Exam Every three years from age 20-39, every two years from age 40-49, and annually after age 50
Diabetes Screening During physical exam, or annually if at high risk for diabetes
Bone Density Test (for osteoporosis) At-risk patients should begin scans at age 40, at menopause or as directed by healthcare provider
Pap Smears For women every 1-3 years
Mammograms For healthy women every 1-2 years after age 40; if concerned see your healthcare provider immediately
PSA Blood Test Annually after age 50; if at high risk or African American, annually after age 40
Colorectal Cancer Screening Regular screening for men and women at age 50 or if at high risk (family history of colorectal cancer or diagnosis of ulcerative colitis). This test may include sigmoidoscopy,colonoscopy, rectal exam and a fecal occult blood test.

Source: VitaJournal Special Edition. Dr. Scott Conrad, M.D., Founder of TienaHealth Medical Group


Healthy Aging Tips...

Chocolate lovers, rejoice: you may have a healthier heart

Perth, Australia - Heart problems may be less likely in older women who eat chocolate, say researchers in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

chocolate and heart healthScientists followed 1,216 women over the age of 70 for 10 years. They found that those who ate chocolate at least once a week (one serving was equal to the amount of cocoa in one cup of hot cocoa) were 35% less likely to be hospitalized or die from heart disease and 60% less likely to be hospitalized or die from heart failure than those who ate less than one serving per week.

They found that the women who ate chocolate daily and those who ate it weekly experienced comparable heart health benefits. However, more research is needed to explain the study results.


preventing foot problems

Salt Lake City Tips for healthy living...

Keep your feet healthy by avoiding these common foot care pitfalls

Have you checked your feet lately? Those unsung heroes of the human body can take a beating over a lifetime: Every mile you walk puts 200,000 to 300,000 pounds of stress on your feet. And by the time you're 50, you've probably walked about 75,000 miles. Disease, bad circulation, poorly-trimmed toenails and wearing shoes that don't fit can also take a toll on your tootsies.

Common foot care mistakes
Keep your feet healthy by avoiding these foot care mistakes:

  • Ignoring your feet -- Inspect your feet regularly. Look for any discoloration on your skin and nails, cuts, cracks, peeling or scaling. Also, do not ignore any foot pain or growths on your feet; both of these conditions are not normal. Foot problems are sometimes the first sign of more serious conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and nerve or circulatory disorders. If you develop a sore on your foot that does not heal, experience persistent foot pain or find any growths, consult your healthcare provider.
  • Wearing shoes that don't fit -- Wearing shoes that don't fit can result in blisters, corns, calluses, bunions, ingrown toenails, tendinitis, hammertoes and other conditions. Always have your feet measured before buying new shoes as your shoe size may change as you age. The best time to have them measured is at the end of the day.
  • Putting on the same shoes every day -- Alternate the shoes you wear as well as your socks and hosiery. Allowing shoes to air out can help protect against athlete's foot, a fungus that can cause dry skin, redness, blisters, itching and peeling. Switching out your shoes can also help with foot odor.
  • Trimming toenails incorrectly -- Poorly trimmed toenails can lead to ingrown toenails. Cut toenails straight across so the corner of the nail can be seen above the skin. Be sure to use clippers that are specifically for toenails.
  • Going barefoot -- Walking without shoes can expose you to injury or infection. It can also expose you to the virus that causes plantar warts, typically on the soles of your feet. In addition to being unsightly, plantar warts can be painful and spread.
  • Standing for long periods of time -- Standing for too long can cause spurs, bony bumps that grow on foot bones, and swollen feet and ankles.

By taking care of your feet, you can keep these most valuable assets healthy for years to come!

Low Prices on Best Selling VITAMINS &
SUPPLEMENTS

SHOP NOW AT AMAZON

A Sampling of Today's Health News Headlines
L.A. Times - Health
L.A. Times - Health

06/01/2023 04:10 PM
Tallulah Willis knew 'something was wrong' before Bruce Willis' dementia diagnosis

Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughter Tallulah Willis opened up about her dad's dementia and offered an update on his health in an essay for Vogue.


06/01/2023 06:00 AM
'Queer ecology' gifted him new perspective. Take his hikes to find it too

For Jason Wise, knowing more about the natural world could've fortified him growing up in a conservative religious community. Now he's sharing his queer ecology knowledge on hikes for Pride Month.


05/31/2023 08:00 AM
Democratic lawmakers press Newsom to spend millions from health insurance fines

Gov. Gavin Newsom is under pressure from allies to begin spending money on healthcare that the state raised by fining Californians who forgo health insurance.


05/30/2023 08:27 PM
Fall Out Boy guitarist Joe Trohman is 'back in action' after mental health break

Fall Out Boy guitarist Joe Trohman has returned less than six months after announcing he was taking time off to focus on his mental health. He will be with the band when it plays in L.A. in July.


05/30/2023 03:50 PM
Arnold Schwarzenegger says Bruce Willis 'never really' retired: Action stars 'reload'

Arnold Schwarzenegger said his 'Expendables' co-star Bruce Willis 'will always be remembered as a great, great star' amid his battle with aphasia.


05/30/2023 11:47 AM
Al Roker is back on 'Today' and 'feeling good enough' after knee surgery

'Today' weatherman Al Roker returned to the morning show and updated viewers on his recovery after undergoing knee replacement surgery.


05/30/2023 07:00 AM
'Just do kegels' is tired. What's next for this hot women's health market?

Pelvic care is experiencing a hot wellness rush, but solutions can be wildly inaccessible. "This sector is exploding right now," says one physical therapist.


NYT > Health
NYT > Health

06/01/2023 11:01 AM
No One Knows How Many L.G.B.T.Q. Americans Die by Suicide
Death investigators in Utah are among a handful of groups trying to learn how many gay and transgender people die by suicide in the United States.
06/01/2023 02:44 PM
Allina Health System in Minnesota Cuts Off Patients With Medical Debt
Doctors at the Allina Health System, a wealthy nonprofit in the Midwest, aren’t allowed to see poor patients or children with too many unpaid medical bills.
06/01/2023 09:14 AM
An Appeals Court Gave the Sacklers Legal Immunity. Here’s What the Ruling Means.
In return for the shield, the billionaire owners of Purdue Pharma are committed to paying up to $6 billion to help compensate communities and individuals for the ravages of the opioid epidemic.
06/01/2023 10:38 AM
How to Lower Deaths Among Women? Give Away Cash.
Mortality rates fell by 20 percent among women in countries that began cash transfer programs to the poor. Children also benefited.
06/01/2023 08:15 PM
Biden Is Said to Pick Mandy Cohen to Lead C.D.C.
The president’s choice for the job, Dr. Mandy Cohen, would replace Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who is stepping down at the end of the month.
06/01/2023 05:05 PM
FDA Approves Pfizer’s RSV Vaccine for Adults 60 and Older
Though agency advisers had some safety concerns, the Pfizer shot is expected to be available before the winter R.S.V. season.
05/31/2023 04:24 PM
Sick Workers Tied to 40% of Food Poisoning Outbreaks, C.D.C. Says
To combat outbreaks at restaurants and other dining establishments, policies that support sick workers, including paid leave, may be needed, the agency said in a report this week.
05/30/2023 11:36 AM
To Prevent Heart Attacks, Doctors Try a New Genetic Test
Polygenic risk scores could help patients, including younger ones, understand whether they really need early treatment for heart disease.
Health : NPR
Health : NPR
Health
06/01/2023 04:42 PM
This week in science: a paralyzed man walks again and a sticker-like vaccine patch
Short Wave hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber talk about a paralyzed man that walked again, a sticker vaccine and the science behind a crop of new RSV vaccines.
06/01/2023 04:19 PM
By boosting memory consolidation, scientists may be able to help Alzheimer's patients
During sleep, the brain strengthens memories it expects to use in the future. Now, scientists say they've found a way to enhance this process. This research might someday help people with memory loss.
06/01/2023 05:18 AM
The story of how the birth control pill was invented and tested
As the FDA considers whether to make birth control pills available over the counter, some are looking back at the controversial history of the development of "the pill."
06/01/2023 05:01 AM
Medical students aren't showing up to class. What does that mean for future docs?
Most first- and second-year medical students don't attend lectures. A student and a professor suggest it's a good time to think a lot about medical education, starting with "flipping the classroom."
06/01/2023 05:00 AM
How a 93-year-old visited every national park and healed a family rift in the process
Grandma Joy Ryan, the 93-year-old behind @grandmajoysroadtrip on Instagram, says she's the "oldest old lady to ever visit every national park."
06/01/2023 04:50 AM
Individual cigarettes in Canada will soon carry health warnings
The move was first announced last year by Health Canada and is aimed at helping people quit the habit. The regulations take effect Aug. 1 and will be phased in.
05/31/2023 05:08 PM
National Eating Disorders Association phases out human helpline, pivots to chatbot
In recent years, the demands on the NEDA helpline, and the humans who ran it, escalated. The organization says it was unsustainable. But some have worries about new plans for an online chatbot.
05/31/2023 04:32 PM
A mother reacts to the bankruptcy deal involving Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Kara Trainor, whose son was born dependent on opioids because of her addiction, about what the Purdue Pharma settlement could mean for her and her family.
 
Copyright 2023 SaltLakeCityHealth.com. All rights reserved. rss Subscribe to our RSS
Information provided here should not be relied on to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition, disease or illness. Please consult with your physician or health care professional for guidance on any health concern. SaltLakeCityHealth.com is a commercial website and is not affiliated with any government agency, university, or private medical center. COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE: This site may be compensated for products promoted here. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.