As people age, it becomes increasingly important to prioritize their health and wellbeing. Regular health screenings can help detect potential health issues early on. Whether you’re busy with your professional commitments, managing your parenting duties or indulging your travel bug, chances are your lifestyle has settled into a routine that works for you. That may also mean skipping workouts in favour of more important obligations or compromising on your nutrition. This can negatively affect your health, increase your stress levels and may also lead to poor quality sleep.
What makes annual screenings essential?
It’s all about prevention for both men and women in their 40s, and that begins with getting a health examination done. Your doctor can spot abnormalities during a yearly exam, properly assess them, and, if necessary, start treating you right away. As your metabolism slows down after 40, it is even more important to take care of yourself.
10 Health screenings you need in your 40s:
Here are some important health screenings that men and women should consider as they get older:
- Blood pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. It is recommended that adults over the age of 40 have their blood pressure checked at least every two years. - Cholesterol
High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. It is recommended that adults over the age of 20 have their cholesterol checked at least every five years. - Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body is unable to properly regulate blood sugar levels. The fast food diet, sedentary lifestyle, and increased stress can cause more weight gain, especially around the abdomen, which puts you at an increased risk for diabetes and pre-diabetes. Get your blood sugar levels checked every year. - Evaluate mental health.
Nearly 20% of persons over the age of 40 experience depression occasionally or suffer from other mental health concerns. Mental illnesses increase your risk of chronic conditions like obesity, heart disease, etc. - Hormone function
In middle age, hormonal changes tend to affect both men and women. Stress, lack of sleep, weight gain, and a sedentary lifestyle are just a few examples of the demands of daily living that can negatively impact testosterone and other hormones like oestrogen and progesterone. - Eye test
Depending on your age, risk factors, and whether you presently wear contacts or glasses, the majority of eye care professionals advise a thorough eye exam at least every one to two years. A baseline eye examination is a thorough check for any early warning symptoms of eye disorders. - Cancer screenings
Here are some essential cancer screenings to undertake:- Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer seen in men. It is recommended that men over the age of 40 have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to screen for prostate cancer. - Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer seen in women. It is recommended that women over the age of 40 have regular mammograms to screen for breast cancer. - Cervical cancer
Along the same lines, cervical cancer screening is recommended for women starting at age 21 with regular Pap tests.
- Prostate cancer
- Bone density test
If you are over 40 and have risk factors for osteoporosis, your bone health must be checked. In order to assess your risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, a bone mineral density (BMD) test counts the minerals that are present in your bones. - Sexual health
Your doctor will order any STI tests as needed or at your request. A urologist will evaluate men’s reproductive health and also look for any signs of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and other concerns. The reproductive and sexual health for women can be evaluated with a thorough examination by a gynaecologist. - Examine your oral health
An oral health examination includes teeth cleaning, an oral health evaluation, and X-rays of the mouth. This can help detect and treat oral health problems early.
Executive Health Checkups at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
Regular health examinations can help in the early detection of any medical problems, enabling timely and effective treatment. Depending on your age, the medical history of your family, and other risk factors, your doctor may request a number of tests and screenings. Reach out to our Executive health checkup team on 022 42696969 for scheduling your appointment or book it online on the below link: https://online.kokilabenhospital.com/health-checkup
