Regular check-up is a must after 40

President Goodluck Jonathan undergoing medical check-up

Ask the typical adult when last he was in the hospital for a medical check-up, and he is likely to give you a blank stare. This is because people don’t often see the need to undergo any form of medical check-up, especially if they think they are in good health.

Yet, physicians warn that though you may be enjoying good health, feeling healthy and being healthy are not always the same thing.

Indeed, experts warn that most diseases that prove to be deadly hardly come with any announcement. According to consultant Cardiologist, Dr. Peter Alawode, some conditions that lead to death generally are heart disease, cancer and stroke.

“These life-threatening disease processes, and the medical conditions that can lead up to them, often have no symptoms for some time. And by the time they are diagnosed, it’s usually almost too late to save the patient.

“So, even if you feel fine, a disease may have already begun causing damage to your body,” Alawode warns.

Diabetologist/Medical Director of Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lekki, Dr. Afokoghene Isiavwe, notes that sometimes during routine tests, a patient might be discovered to have sugar in his urine.

“In effect, this suggests that the individual has been living with undiagnosed diabetes and he is therefore at higher risk for stroke and heart attack,” the physician says.

The cardiologist, Alawode, also says many people go about with high blood pressure without knowing.

“And because they are ignorant of their state of health, they can’t even make necessary dietary changes or adopt healthy lifestyles that will save them from sudden death that such conditions usually result in,” he counsels.

Alawode says your age, health and family history, lifestyle choices (i.e. what you eat, how active you are, whether you smoke), and other important factors impact what and how often you need hospital visits.

Physicians are unanimous that there’s no replacement for regular medical check-ups, especially once you clock age 40. “Once you are in this age bracket, you should be screening for diseases and also be assessed for risk of future medical problems,” Alawode suggests.

Now that you know you should undergo regular medical check-ups as an ageing person, physicians advise that in order to benefit maximally from it, there are certain questions you should ask your health care providers.

Weight issue

One of the problems that predispose to certain health risks, experts argue, is body weight.

“By the time you are 40, the tendency is to start acquiring body fats, as you actually start losing muscle mass. Consequently, your doctor must be able to counsel you on the ideal body weight and how to maintain it through good dietary habits and regular exercise,” General Physician, Godwin Alabi, says.

He, however, warns that it is not only those who are fat or obese that are at risk of certain health issues. He says those who are thin may be counselled to gain reasonable weight that is commensurate with their body type.

Ask about medications you’re taking

Many people take medications that doctors haven’t prescribed; while some simply continue to take a medication that had once been prescribed for them whenever the initial condition resurfaces.

“This is dangerous and unacceptable. During medical check-ups, let your health care provider know the drugs you are taking — whether they are herbal supplements or multivitamins.

“The doctor will weigh their impacts on your health and advise accordingly,” Alabi enthuses.

How often should I screen?

The kind of required medical check-ups differ from one individual to the other, depending on their age, sex and medical history. Ask your health care giver the category you belong to.

Alabi advocates that those who are in their forties and in good health may screen once in a year, while those in the same age bracket but who are hypertensive should do so at least twice a year.

“The higher your age and depending on your medical history, the more often you should undergo medical check-ups,” he counsels.

Discuss ‘embarrassing’ issues

The physicians advise that certain health issues that you may consider embarrassing should feature in your discussion during medical check-ups.

“Such issues include a failing libido, irregular bowel movements, inability to urinate normally or frequent urination, halitosis (smelly mouth), etc., all of which may be tell-tale signs of underlying diseases,” Alabi says.

Trouble with sleep

Physicians warn that lack of adequate sleep contributes to diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease. “So, don’t fail to draw your doctor’s attention to this all-important problem,” Alawode warns.

He is of the view that the average person needs between seven and eight hours of good sleep to function optimally. He also warns that sleep deprivation can put you at risk for stress-induced illnesses, depression, and more.

Blood pressure

The doctors are unanimous that normal blood pressure is one way to prevent most health problems.

“Cardiovascular and kidney diseases, as well as stroke, particularly for women, typically start with elevated blood pressure. Let your doctor tell you your blood pressure gauge and advise you accordingly,” Alawode advises.

In sum, experts say regular health examinations and tests can help detect problems before they start. They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better.

“By getting the right health services, screenings, and treatments, you are taking steps that help your chances for living a longer, healthier life,” Alabi says.