WHY SHOULD YOU SEE HEALTH CONSULTANT

The purpose of these visits is to:

·        Screen for medical issues

·        Assess your risk of future medical problems

·        Encourage a healthy lifestyle

·        Update vaccinations

·        Help you get to know your provider in case of an illness

         Information

Even if you feel fine, These visits can help you avoid problems in future. For example, probable high blood pressure , High blood sugar and high cholesterol levels which may not have any symptoms in the early stages.

There are specific times when you must see your family doctor / health provider that is between 35-40 years of age .Guidelines for cheek up are as under :-

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING

·        Have your blood pressure checked every 2 years. If the top number (systolic number) is between 120 and 139 or the bottom number (diastolic  number) is between 80 and 89 mm Hg if  higher, have it checked every six months .

·        If the top number is greater than 140, or the bottom number is greater than 90, schedule an appointment with your provider.

·        If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to have your blood pressure checked more often.

CHOLESTEROL SCREENING

·        If your age is more then 30 and have risk factors for coronary heart disease or family history , your cholesterol should be checked every years.

·        If you have high cholesterol levels, diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be checked more often.

DIABETES SCREENING

·        If you are over age 35, you should be screened every 3 years.

·        If you are overweight, take advise of doctor for early  screening  . Asian and Americans should be screened  more often if their BMI is greater than 23.

·        If your blood pressure is above 135/80 mm Hg, or you have other risk factors for diabetes, you must get your self tested for blood sugar level for diabetes.

COLON CANCER SCREENING

·        If you are under age 50, and have strong family history of colon cancer or polyps. Screening may also be considered .

·        If you are between ages 50 to 75, you should be screened for colorectal cancer. There are several screening tests available. Some common screening tests include:

·        A fecal occult blood test done every year

·        Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years along with a fecal occult blood test every 3 years , Colonoscopy every 10 years

·        You may need a colonoscopy more often if you have risk factors for colon cancer, such as:

·        Ulcerative colitis

·        A personal or family history of colorectal cancer

·        A history of colorectal  adenomas.

DENTAL EXAM

·        Go to the dentist  twice a year for an exam and cleaning. Your dentist will evaluate if you  need more frequent visits or not .

EYE EXAM

·        Have an eye exam every 3 to 4 years if you are below 40 and not wearing vision glasses and every 1 to 2 years if wearing vision glasses. After 40  years of age once in a year is advisable . Your doctor  may recommend more frequent eye exams if you have vision problems or glaucoma  risk.

IMMUNIZATIONS

·        You should get a flu shot every year.

·        Ask your health provider if you should get a vaccine to reduce your risk of pneumonia.

·        You should have a tetanus-diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tap) vaccine once as part of your tetanus-diphtheria vaccines. You should have a tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years.

·        You may get a shingles or herpes zoster vaccine once after age 60.

·        Your provider may recommend other immunizations if you are at high risk for certain conditions.

PHYSICAL EXAM

·        Your blood pressure should be checked at least every two years.

·        Your provider may recommended checking your cholesterol every 5 years if you have risk factors for coronary heart disease

·        Your height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) should be checked at each exam.

·        During your exam, your provider may ask you about:

·        Depression

·        Diet and exercise

·        Alcohol and tobacco use

·        Safety issues, such as using seat belts and smoke detector.

BREAST EXAM

·        Women may do a monthly breast self-exam. However, experts do not agree about the benefits of breast self-exams in finding breast cancer or saving lives but still they are helpful.

·        You should contact your provider immediately if you notice a change in your breasts, during  self-exams.

·        Your doctor may do a clinical breast exam as part of your preventive exam.

MAMMOGRAM

·        Women ages 40 to 49 may have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years. However, not all experts agree about the benefits of having a mammogram when women are in their forties. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you.

·        Women ages 50 to 75 should have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years depending on their risk factors, to check for breast cancer.

OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING

·        All women over age 50 with fractures should have a bone density test (DEXA scan).

·        If you are under age 65 and have risk factors for osteoporosis, you should be screened.

PELVIC EXAM AND PAP SMEAR

·        You should have a Pap smear every 3 years. If you have both a Pap smear and human papilloma virus (HPV) test, you may be tested every 5 years. HPV is the virus that causes genital warts and cervical cancer.

SKIN EXAM

·        The Cancer Society recommends a skin exam as part of a periodic exam 

LUNG CANCER SCREENING

·        The USPSTF recommends annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults aged 55 to 80 years who:

·        Have a  min 30 pack ( pack od 10 ) year smoking history

·        Currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years