Starting your PGD healthy: all the tests you should do this year
A new year is an excellent opportunity for changes in life, but also for some life-saving actions.
A doctor explains which medical tests you should do this year
Dr. Ilanit Bernstein
09/21/2022
Wednesday, September 21, 2022, 10:21 am Updated: 11:03 am
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The new year is upon us and just before you start making a list of new tasks and goals, such as starting a diet, adding physical activity to your busy schedule, reducing stress or even spending more time with your children and family, you should include all the medical tests you neglected this year.
And believe it or not, there are quite a few of them.
And some of them may save your life.
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So which tests should be included in the annual checklist?
Here is the full guide.
Routine blood tests
Blood tests are part of the routine at important junctures in life and their purpose is to indicate various parameters that can give an indication of the health status in the present time and in the future.
Who is recommended and when?
A hemoglobin level test is recommended for women of childbearing age after each pregnancy to prevent iron deficiency anemia.
basic.
Blood test (Photo: ShutterStock)
Tests for lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides)
Their goal is to identify factors that can cause future morbidity at an early stage.
Who is recommended and when?
The recommendations in the general population are from age 35 for men and from age 45 for women once every 5 years.
In risk groups in which there is a family history or background of hyperlipidemia, tests should be performed once a year.
Additional blood tests are recommended by the attending physician depending on the patient's condition.
How is the test performed?
The test is performed in a simple way by taking blood from a vein after 12 hours of fasting.
Mammography
The mammogram is an x-ray examination of the breasts that creates an image of the breast tissue that allows the discovery of suspicious findings and can locate tumors in early stages.
Who is recommended and when?
From the age of 50-74, the test must be performed once every two years.
In women over 40 with an increased risk (having a family background) once a year.
How is the test performed?
The test is performed using a special device in which the breast is compressed and photographed from several angles.
If it is a breast with dense and thick tissue, the test is supplemented with an ultrasound test for an optimal picture.
In addition, it is recommended to perform a monthly self-examination of the breast as part of a healthy routine.
Bone density test
X-ray test used to diagnose calcium leakage and osteoporosis.
Early detection of the disease makes it possible to take measures for prevention and delay.
Who is recommended and when?
It is recommended that women and men undergo a first bone density test at the age of 60, or earlier when there are risk factors in consultation with a treating physician.
If osteoporosis was not diagnosed in that test, it is recommended to repeat this test once every five years.
How is the test performed?
The test is a non-invasive x-ray test that measures the amount of minerals in the bone compared to their amount in soft tissues in the body.
High blood pressure is a real epidemic.
A doctor measures blood pressure (Photo: ShutterStock, LightField Studios)
Blood pressure test
High blood pressure is a common phenomenon nowadays.
The disease causes damage to vital organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes.
Who is recommended and when?
A blood pressure test for the entire population is recommended from the age of 20, once every 5 years, from the age of 30, once every 3 years and for patients over the age of 40 or patients with risk factors or a family history, a measurement will be performed once a year.
How is the test performed?
The test is performed in a simple way by placing a cuff connected to a blood pressure monitor.
The test is performed quickly and efficiently in any nurse's room or doctor's clinic.
This is a simple test that can also be performed at home using a home meter.
Fecal occult blood test
According to statistics, colon cancer is considered the second most common cancer in Israel among both men and women.
In most cases, this type of cancer develops without any preliminary signs, and therefore early detection of polyps and pre-cancerous tumors that secrete hidden blood and are an indication of a problem that must be checked is very important.
Who is recommended and when?
For men and women aged 50-74 once a year.
How is the test performed?
The test is performed using a dedicated kit and taking a stool sample.
The test is non-invasive and does not involve special preparations and is performed at the patient's home.
If the test comes out positive, further follow-up and additional tests such as a colonoscopy are required to rule out the presence of cancerous tumors.
Skin cancer has been on the rise in recent years (Photo: ShutterStock)
Examining moles and moles
Skin cancer (melanoma) is caused by increased exposure to the sun and has been on the rise in recent years, especially in countries like Israel, where exposure to the sun is high.
Even in this case, early detection can save lives.
Who is recommended and when?
The recommendation is to perform a mole test at any age once a year.
When it comes to risk groups with a family background, skin sensitivity, etc., the test should be performed more frequently.
How is the test performed?
As part of the routine of life, you can check the grace points independently.
Any change in color, shape or size requires a thorough examination.
In addition, you should go to a dermatologist who will perform a comprehensive and professional examination of the entire body with the help of dedicated equipment.
If a suspicious finding is discovered - the mole will be removed and sent for a biopsy that will determine the continuation of the treatment.
Pap test
A screening test, aimed at early detection of potentially malignant processes in the cervical region.
Cervical cancer, as well as other types of cancer such as rectal, oral and pharyngeal cancer are caused by infection with the papilloma virus.
This type of cancer can occur in both men and women.
Who is recommended and when?
Women aged 25-65 once every three years.
How is the test performed?
The test is performed by the gynecologist who takes a sample from the cervix using a dedicated brush to collect the cells.
Identify early signs and treat them promptly.
Dentist (Photo: ShutterStock)
dental examination
Caries is one of the risk factors for diseases in the gums and teeth.
Therefore, the goal is to identify early signs and treat them in a timely manner.
Who is recommended and when?
A routine examination is recommended for all ages from toddlers to adults once a year.
How is the test performed?
The test is performed by a qualified dentist. The test must be accompanied by a cleaning of tartar by a dentist.
Eye tests
Routine vision and eye exams help maintain normal vision.
At a young age, there is a need to perform vision tests, especially when it comes to problems such as strabismus or before entering the first grade, and at older ages in order to detect early signs of diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, degeneration of the visual center, etc.
Who is recommended and when?
Eye exams are important at any age in order to enable normal and healthy vision.
Changed the importance of performing routine vision tests, especially for those who suffer from blood pressure and diabetes problems that can worsen the situation and damage vision.
How is the test performed?
The test is performed by an ophthalmologist using a special device that tests various parameters according to the purpose of the test.
*** It is important to emphasize that these are only general recommendations that refer to the healthy population and that they are part of a normal, balanced lifestyle.
There are people who are in different risk groups and therefore should be tested more frequently according to the recommendation of the treating provider.
Dr. Ilanit Bernstein is a family doctor in the Jerusalem and Shefala district at Maccabi Health Services
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