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Prevention is the key to a long, healthy life. Preventive examinations can detect diseases before they spread or worsen. Enable early treatment.
Eyesight, hearing and oral cavity tests
After the age of 60, your eyes should be examined annually or every two years for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye conditions.
Age also affects hearing ability. In addition, infections and certain medical conditions can lead to hearing problems. Therefore, an audiogram should be performed at least every 2-3 years.
Oral and dental health is equally important. Not only will it prevent bad breath, it will also help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. That is why it is worth going to the dentist twice a year for a checkup.
- Find out more about eye examination and hearing testing
Cholesterol testing
A complete cholesterol test is also called a lipid profile or lipid profile. Checks:
- Total cholesterol level.
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. This is called bad cholesterol. High levels are associated with an increased risk of stroke, atherosclerosis, and heart attacks.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. It is good cholesterol.
- The level of triglycerides. These are unused calories stored in fat cells. They are usually elevated in obese, diabetic, alcoholic, or sweets-consuming people.
Find out what non-HDL cholesterol is
Complete blood count
It usually includes the following results:
- White blood cell count (WBC, erythrocytes),
- Red blood cell count (RBC, leukocytes),
- Hemoglobin (Hgb),
- Hematokryt (Hct),
- Mean blood cell volume (MCV),
- Platelet count (PLT, thrombocytes).
Why should morphology be done regularly?
Detects anemia when red blood cell counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit fall below normal.
Usually, the number of white blood cells increases as a person is battling the infection. Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, can also increase leukocyte levels.
If the level of all cell lines, ie erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets, decreases – this may indicate damage to the bone marrow.
Sometimes the number of platelets in a person over the age of 60 may be lower or higher than normal. Then additional tests are necessary.
- Read more about blood counts
Lipid profile
This is a test that should be performed once a year, especially in patients at cardiovascular risk.
Fibrynogen
An important factor contributing to blood clotting. Fibrinogen levels may increase in response to tissue inflammation. The development of atherosclerosis and heart disease is essentially an inflammatory process. Therefore, it is worth checking the level of fibrinogen. This way, you can predict the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Find out more about fibrinogen
Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C)
It is made in the body when glucose attaches to the hemoglobin in red blood cells. The higher the blood sugar level, the higher the percentage of HbA1C will be. A score of 6,5% or more suggests diabetes.
Red blood cells live 180 days, so you can perform a morphology every 3 months. Remember that too much sugar in your blood damages your blood vessels. It also has a negative effect on the eyes and feet.
- Find additional information on glycosylated hemoglobin
Blood pressure control
Blood pressure is the force your blood exerts against the walls of your arteries. Detecting and treating high blood pressure (hypertension) is important as it can damage your circulatory system over time and increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and other health problems.
- See also: How to fight hypertension?
The risk of developing blood pressure increases with age. Most people are unaware that they have high blood pressure. It may not cause any characteristic symptoms. That is why it is worth checking the pressure regularly.
Colon cancer
Colon cancer (cancer of the colon and / or rectum) is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the layers of tissue that lines the colon. People who are at higher or high risk of colon may be advised to begin screening tests at a younger age (e.g., 40 years of age). A colonoscopy is performed.
Who is at increased risk?
The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age, being overweight or obese, and with cancer elsewhere in the body. Other risk factors include:
- family history: one or more family members with colorectal cancer or multiple polyps
- diet: high-fat and meat, especially when combined with insufficient amounts of fruit, vegetables and / or fiber-rich foods,
- lifestyle: smoking, alcohol abuse, sedentary lifestyle,
- ulcerative colitis,
- type 2 diabetes.
Bone density test, or densitometry
It allows you to measure bone strength. The test, also called a DEXA scan, is a type of X-ray. Detects severe bone loss and gives you the appropriate treatment. It will detect if you have osteoporosis or weak bones. Women are more likely to get the disease than men, and the risk increases with age.
The examination is painless and you do not need to prepare yourself for it. Takes approximately 15 minutes.
- Read more about measuring bone density
Screening for prostate cancer
It allows you to detect prostate cancer before any symptoms appear. Thanks to this, it increases the chance of a successful cure. The following tests are most commonly used for screening:
- Digital Rectal Examination (DRE): A doctor checks the prostate through the gut wall. It can detect various anomalies.
- Blood PSA Test: It is useful for detecting early stage prostate cancer.
Mammography and cytology
A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. It allows you to detect the early symptoms of breast cancer. Thanks to it, the doctor can see:
- well-defined, regular, clear changes,
- thickenings or lumps
- dense areas in the breast that may be cancer
- calcification.
Cytology also plays a very important role. It reduces the risk of cervical cancer.
Also read:
- Mammography
- Cytology
- Health after 50 – research for women
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