An annual physical exam should be a part of everyone’s life. Even if you feel healthy as a horse, you should still check your blood results, go to a gynecologist once a year, check your eyes, teeth and make sure you actually are healthy. Not all illnesses show symptoms, which is why you should do everything in your power to make sure your body is functioning properly.
Gynaecologist
The rates of breast and cervical cancer keep increasing over the years, which is why every woman should pay a visit to her gynecologist at least once a year. The doctor will perform a breast exam by feeling for abnormal lumps and make sure you’re all right. A pelvic exam is also a part of the examination, where the doctor will examine the entire vaginal area including ovaries and uterus to make sure you don’t have cancer. Performing a Pap test and HPV tests is all a part of gynecological screening that can help assess the risk of cancer. Furthermore, all sexually active women must test for all of the sexually transmitted diseases.
Eye check
Vision problems are among major health issues nowadays. Considering we’re spending a lot of time in front of the computer, TV or cell phone, our eyesight tends to become poor with time, so an eye exam should be a part of your annual exam as well. If you’ve noticed you’re squinting all the time or if you get headaches after you’ve been in front of a PC for a long time, you should check your vision at your ophthalmologist. In case you need to wear eyeglasses, but you don’t like them, you can always buy good contact lenses online. With them, you’ll look amazing and nobody will even notice you’re wearing them.
Mammogram
Women can do a monthly self-exam of their breasts, which can help discover breast cancer early on. However, if you’re in your 40s, a mammogram screening should be a part of your annual physical exam, while women who’re older than 55 should have their check-ups twice a year. This is especially true for those who have a history of breast cancer in the family. If any of the female family members were diagnosed with breast cancer before they were 40, consider having a mammogram as early as they were diagnosed with the illness.
Laboratory tests
Regular blood tests are necessary in order to get an insight into your overall health. They will provide the doctor with your cholesterol and blood sugar levels, as well as all the other essential information. It’s recommended to start with a cholesterol screening between the ages of 20 and 45, and if it turns out that the levels are normal, you could do it every five years instead of annually. Abnormal cholesterol levels put you at a higher risk of stroke and heart attack, so it’s vital that you always know how healthy you are. In case you gain weight, the tests should become more frequent because you’ll be more likely to get diabetes. Anyone with kidney and heart problems, diabetes and any other conditions should monitor their health even more often than just once a year.
Final thoughts
An annual physical examination is essential for staying healthy. Not all diseases have visual symptoms, so it’s essential that you have regular health check-ups. Visit your gynecologist, do a mammogram screening, check your eyesight, and do the blood tests. Keep up with the blood pressure and blood sugar results, as well as with cholesterol levels, so you can prevent diabetes and heart attack. The sooner you are of aware of any problem, the better you’ll be able to treat it.
About The Author:
Mia Taylor is a fashion and beauty enthusiast from Sydney and writer for www.highstylife.com. She loves writing about her life experiences. Traveling and enjoying other cultures and their food with her husband is a big part of her life. She is always on a lookout for new trends in fashion and beauty and considers herself an expert when it comes to lifestyle tips. Twitter | Facebook