Aging is a natural process and as you age you may develop several diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, sleep disorders, and high blood pressure.1 Your busy lifestyle and sedentary living may also cause several diseases.2 It is essential to get yourself checked periodically to confirm the presence of any disease you may have.
Here is a list of 5 screening tests that are essential for every man:
1. Test For Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease which damages optic nerves and may lead to vision loss or blindness.3 Glaucoma is majorly caused due to intraocular pressure which is an increase in the pressure inside the eyes.4
Test For Glaucoma
The screening test for glaucoma involves checking the presence of high-pressure point inside the eyes. Your doctor may conduct tests such as tonometry, perimetry, pachymetry, ophthalmoscopy, and gonioscopy to confirm the presence of glaucoma.5
If your age is less than 40 then you must get yourself screened every 2-4 years, if you are between 40-54 then you must get yourself screened every 1-3 years.
2. Test For High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a condition in which the blood pushes the walls of the arteries with a very high pressure.6 High blood pressure may lead to vision loss, heart attack, stroke, sexual dysfunction, and kidney failure.7 Smoking, sedentary lifestyle, stress, and too much salt consumption are some of the main causes for high blood pressure.
Test For High Blood Pressure
Your doctor may use blood pressure gauge, blood pressure meter, blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer to measure your blood pressure. The reading is given in two number. The first number is systolic pressure, it is the blood pressure measured when the heart beats while pumping blood. The second is the diastolic pressure, it is the blood pressure measured when the heart is at rest between the beats.
If your age is less than 40 then you must get yourself screened for high blood pressure every 4-5 years.8 As you get older, you may need to get yourself checked more frequently.
3. Test For Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is when your body does not produce enough insulin or when the insulin that is produced is unable to function properly.9 The major causes of type 2 diabetes are obesity, genetics, and aging.10 This diabetes may harm you in several ways, it increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, and vision loss.11
Test For Type 2 Diabetes
The screening for type 2 diabetes involves tests such as random plasma glucose test (RPG), fasting plasma glucose test (FPG), and A1C test.12
Irrespective of your age, you must get yourself checked for diabetes every 3 to 6 months.
4. Test For Cholesterol Levels
Your body consists of two types of cholesterol. They are low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). When the level of LDL rises then you have a problem as these LDL’s are the bad cholesterol that blocks your blood vessel and increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases. HDL on the other are good cholesterol and they help improve your cardiovascular health.13
If your body has a high level of bad cholesterol which is low-density lipoproteins (LDL) then it may narrow your arteries and raise the risk for strokes.14
Test For Cholesterol Levels
The level of cholesterol in your body is checked using a blood test called the lipoprotein panel.15 It is also called as lipoprotein analysis or lipoprotein profile.
You should start getting yourself screened for cholesterol level from the age of 20. Thereafter, you must get yourself tested at least once every 5 years.16
5. Test For Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has the ability to destroy body’s immunity system.17 HIV is mainly spread through sexual contact, usage of infected products such as needles, blood transfusion, it might even spread from mother to baby.18
Test For Human Immunodeficiency Virus
The screening for HIV involves a small sample of your blood or oral fluid. Your doctor may use tests such as third generation antibody tests, fourth generation antibody tests, or rapid tests to confirm the presence of HIV.19
There is no fixed routine to get yourself screened for HIV. However, you must get yourself tested at least once every 3 months.20
Caution:
- If you suffer from any chronic illness then you may need to visit a doctor more frequently for the checkups.
- Consult a doctor immediately if you suffer from any pain or difficulty, these may be signs of an underlying disease and you may need immediate medical attention.
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