One of the goals of today's medicine is to preserve health, not just treat disease. For this reason, it is advisable to undergo preventive medical checkups to evaluate the patient's condition and prevent pathologies early.
Although check-ups are popularly associated with older people, there are a series of tests that it is advisable to undergo before turning 40.
Povisa's Preventive Medicine service details the most common medical check-ups performed between 18 and 39 years of age and the particularities of each of these tests:
blood pressure test
For both sexes, it is recommended to perform it at least every 2 years. If the result is normal (approximately 139–80 mm Hg) the review could be annual. If the blood pressure values are high, the evaluating doctor will initiate the most appropriate measures and propose the most appropriate check-up schedule.
If the person has diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or some other conditions, blood pressure checks should be more frequent but at least once a year.
cholesterol test
The recommended ages for women to start having cholesterol tests are between 20 and 45 years old and between 20 and 35 years old for men. People with normal cholesterol levels probably do not need to repeat the test in 5 years. It is advisable to repeat the test if lifestyle changes occur (including weight gain and change in diet).
If the person has diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or some other conditions, they may need to be watched more carefully.
Diabetes test
For both sexes, if blood pressure is high, the doctor may order blood sugar levels to check for diabetes. If the person has a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 25 (a value that indicates overweight) and has other risk factors for diabetes, they should be examined.
dental exam
For both sexes. It is advisable to go to the dentist once or twice each year for an exam and cleaning. The specialist will evaluate whether more frequent visits are necessary.
eye exam
For both sexes. If the person has vision problems (difficulty reading, etc.), an eye exam is recommended every 2 years or more often according to the specialist's criteria. It is helpful to have an eye exam at least once each year if you have diabetes.
Vaccines
The doctor must evaluate the vaccines to be administered to complete the recommended series according to age, sex and medical history, for example, the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis in pregnant women in the case of pregnant women.
Physical exam
An initial test is recommended, the frequency of which will depend on the results of the test and other tests. It is reasonable to do so at least once a year in healthy people. Weight, height, BMI, etc. are evaluated.
Breast self-examination and mammography:
If the person has a mother or sister who had breast cancer at a young age, the doctor should consider doing a mammogram every year and starting screening earlier than the age at which the youngest family member was diagnosed. It is important to see a doctor immediately if you notice a change in your breasts, whether or not you do self-exams.
Pelvic exam and cervical cytology (Pap smear)
There are differences in the recommendations regarding the starting age and frequency of cytology, but in some places, depending on the person's history, they recommend starting checkups from 21 years of age, making it advisable for women to have a pelvic exam. and the Pap test every 3 years to rule out cervical cancer. If the person is over 30 years old and the Pap test is normal, it could be repeated approximately every 5 years. In any case, it will always be the specialist doctor who advises the frequency of taking cytological samples.
Other exams
A person should talk to their doctor about being screened for colon cancer if they have a strong family history of it, or if they have previously had inflammatory bowel disease or polyps. Routine bone density screening is not recommended for women under 40 years of age.
Did you know…?
With its more than 40.000 m2, 573 beds installed and more than 1.500 workers, Povisa manages for Sergas the care of some 135.000 patients from Moaña, Cangas, Vigo and Val Miñor.
You will be interested to know that, in the public sphere, Povisa is a reference for the south of Galicia in Complex Upper Limb Surgery, Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery, Burns, Children's Plastic Surgery and Lithotripsy (the latter only for the Vigo area) . It also has a 24-hour emergency service with all specialties, and the most modern organization and diagnosis systems.
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