As you get older, you will receive letters telling you to go for certain tests in regards to your health. However, it’s also important to be proactive and to take care of your own health, and go for tests if you feel something is wrong. Whether you’ve been called for a test or have decided you need something tested on your own, don’t put it off, it is better to get everything checked out as soon as possible because if there is a problem, it is better to catch it earlier and it might even be something you can reverse or prevent. So what things should you keep an eye on as you go through life and what should you be getting checked regularly?
Your Weight
Knowing how much you weigh and what a healthy weight is is important for your health and it’s really easy to go along through life and not realize that you’re piling on the pounds. It can feel like it happens overnight as one morning your jeans won’t fasten. If your weight has crept up and is in an unhealthy range, then you are at risk of a number of other health problems and diseases. While you can start by yourself by fighting back by eating healthier and exercising more, it’s also a good idea to go to the doctor and check for signs of type two diabetes or heart disease. Find out what a healthy weight for you would be and what you need to do to get there.
Your Hearing
Having a hearing test is important and should be part of your annual physical examination every three to five years. The reason it’s so important to get tested is not just because hearing loss can be detrimental to your life but because it can happen very gradually and you may not notice it. For example, as your hearing deteriorates you may just turn the volume up on the TV, or you might just be asking people to repeat themselves more often and it’s not until someone else points it out that you realize how bad your hearing has become. By getting it tested you can keep on top of it and know where you are at. There might be something you can do to help so make sure you go for tests and speak to the doctor before any problems you have worsen.
Your Blood Pressure
Having high blood pressure can be dangerous to your heart, your brain, your eyes, and your kidneys. The only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test which all adults over 40 are advised to have at least every five years. It’s also important to know what the risks of high blood pressure are as they are pretty common. You might be more at risk of having high blood pressure if you are overweight, eat too much salt and do not eat enough fruit and vegetables, do not do enough exercise, drink too much alcohol or caffeine, smoke, or do not get enough sleep. You can make lifestyle changes to put yourself in a better position, but make sure you do get a test to know where you’re at.
Your Cholesterol
High cholesterol does not cause symptoms and you can only find out if you have it from a blood test, but it’s important to do so as even though there are no symptoms if you have high cholesterol you could be at risk of coronary heart disease.
Your Skin
While you might not necessarily go for a skin test unless you experience a specific problem with your skin, you should always take really good care of your skin, and while you’re doing that you should look at it and feel it to make sure everything feels normal. Check for any unusual spots or moles and then keep an eye on them to see if they change or stay the same. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it is your biggest protector so you must look after it so that it can look after you.
Your Eyes
Get your eyes tested regularly to make sure that you are not suffering from anything undetected or that your eyesight isn’t deteriorating. Just like with your ears, losing your eyesight is something that can happen gradually, so if you find yourself squinting a little more or bringing your book closer to see it better then go for a test because it’s important to keep one step ahead and make sure you detect any issues early.