Health Checks You Should Add to Your Annual Physical
Everyone, regardless of their age, should ensure that they see their doctor for their annual physical. A good look at your heart health, cholesterol, and other key health indicators can make sure that you’re able to better take care of yourself for the year ahead. However, these tests don’t check everything, and there are some elements of your health that are worth a closer look beyond the physical. Let’s take a look at some now.
Sexual Health Screenings
Sexual health is often overlooked, as important as it can be to your general well-being. Depending on your age, lifestyle, and regular sexual activity, it may be worth attending routine screenings for sexually transmitted infections, as well as cervical cancer or hormonal changes. It also gives you an opportunity to talk about topics like libido, contraception, or erectile issues, which you might not think to bring up with your doctor regularly.
Hearing Health Evaluations
Most people do not need a hearing test every year. However, if you’re over the age of 65, work in loud environments, listen to music at high volumes, or enjoy any other hobbies or activities that expose you to excessive noise, a hearing exam is worth it. In fact, everyone should have at least one hearing exam in early adulthood to set a baseline that future tests can be compared to, so that if hearing loss is ever an issue, it can be spotted quickly.
Eye Tests
Just as with your hearing, it’s worth getting at least one eye test when you’re young to determine your vision. Aside from finding out whether you need glasses or not, these eye tests can detect common conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, or age-related macular degeneration before symptoms even appear. It’s worth having an eye test once a year to note any changes early. They can even uncover early signs of health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Dental Health Appointments
Aside from helping you maintain a bright and healthy smile, your dental health plays a bigger role in your well-being than you might realise. Gum disease, cavities, and oral infections can affect more than your mouth, given their links to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems. Including dental checkups and cleanings as part of your annual health routine helps catch problems early and prevent more serious complications. Dentists can spot early signs of gum disease, tooth decay, or even oral cancers during routine exams
Bone Density Screenings
Although the majority of people don’t have to worry about bone density on a regular basis, if you’re over the age of 65 and especially if you’re a woman, you do have a higher chance of developing health conditions like osteoporosis. These screenings can catch these conditions early and make sure that you’re taking the right medications, such as supplements, to keep your bones healthy and to reduce your risk of serious injury after accidents.
Not all of the tests have to be done every year, by any means. So long as you get them checked on a routine basis, however, you can make sure that you’re on the right track.
This is a collaborative post.
