The schedule for your health

Created: 12/27/2022, 4:14 p.m

With a stress ECG, cardiologist Prof. Stefan Kääb measures the heart’s electrical activity.

© Andreas Steeger/LMU Clinic

Even if not everyone knows this: Those with statutory health insurance are entitled to a whole range of important early detection examinations.

In order to lay the foundation for good health in old age, it is also worth paying attention to certain topics yourself.

Experts from various medical disciplines summarize for you which doctor you should see at what age - and what you can do yourself.

The recommended check-ups are the best and most effective method of detecting and treating common and serious illnesses at an early stage, says Prof. Hana Algül, Director of the Cancer Comprehensive Center at the Technical University of Munich.

The cardiologist Professor Stefan Kääb from the LMU Clinic emphasizes: “Preventive check-ups are offers to maintain health.

That is always better than treating illness.”

By the way, you are never too old to take care of yourself.

For the head of the LMU women's clinic, Prof. Sven Mahner, the annual visit to the gynecologist is a must for all women: "The gynecologist keeps coming across other diseases, for example in the cardiovascular system," emphasizes Mahner.

"I tell all patients that they have to see a gynecologist every year up to the age of 99 - and I always jokingly add that from the 100th birthday onwards one could perhaps talk about a two-year rhythm."

You should definitely refresh these vaccinations

An important building block for your own health in all age groups is an up-to-date vaccination certificate.

The most important recommended booster vaccinations: tetanus and diphtheria every ten years, whooping cough once in adulthood (18 to 60 years), measles once - for everyone who was born after 1970, is older than 18 years and has an unclear vaccination status or only once in the vaccinated against measles in childhood.

From the age of 60 one-time vaccination against pneumococci.

Annual flu vaccination for the chronically ill, pregnant women, people over the age of 60 and people with an increased risk of infection.

Shingles for anyone over 60 and anyone over 50 who has an underlying condition such as diabetes or asthma.

TBE for everyone who may come into contact with ticks in risk areas.

This applies to 18 to 35 year olds:

Important for everyone

Health in general:

From 18 years up to the age of 35 (women and men): a one-off, general check-up at the family doctor.

heart health:

"The foundation for long-term cardiovascular health is laid at a young age," says Professor Stefan Kääb, cardiologist at the LMU-Klinikum.

It is therefore important to observe the following seven criteria: “The first important point is nutrition: the Mediterranean diet is recommended here – you should eat fresh ingredients and avoid industrially processed foods, pay attention to valuable fatty acids and not eat too much.

The second crucial point is regular, adequate exercise, ideally 40-minute endurance training three to four times a week.

Thirdly, you should not smoke, fourthly, you should know your own blood pressure and have it adjusted correctly if necessary.

The fifth important point is to reduce excess weight if necessary.

Sixth, everyone should know their LDL cholesterol levels.

Low-density lipoprotein (low-density lipoprotein) is the unhealthy cholesterol.

For healthy people without risk factors for cardiovascular disease, an LDL cholesterol level below 116 mg/dl is the target value.

The higher the risk, such as being overweight, the lower the LDL cholesterol should be: for people with coronary heart disease or diabetes, the target value is below 55 mg/dl.

The seventh important point is blood sugar: get it checked.”

Skin:

"The be-all and end-all of prevention for the skin is sun protection," says dermatologist Dr.

Christoph Liebich and recommends day care cream with a high protection factor.

You should also keep a close eye on your skin and liver spots and see a doctor immediately if a spot grows quickly, itches, bleeds, is raised or is weeping.

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Dental Health

: When you are a child, you should get used to brushing your teeth regularly so that it becomes a habit.

It is important not to consume sugar too often and for too long, says Prof. Hannes Wachtel, the founder of the Implaneo Dental Clinic.

In order to harden the tooth enamel, he advises regular fluoridation, as well as the use of dental floss or small brushes for the interdental spaces.

Everyone should go to the dentist at least once a year, but better two to four times, advises Prof. Wachtel.

Important for women

"As the most important preventive measure against cervical cancer, girls and young women should be vaccinated against HPV," says the gynecologist and head of the LMU Women's Clinic, Prof. Sven Mahner.

From the age of 20, a genital examination and a cytological examination for early detection of cancer are scheduled once a year.

From the age of 30, cancer screening is supplemented by an annual breast and skin examination.

By then at the latest, women should also regularly examine their breasts themselves.

35 to 55 years: don't forget your cancer screening!

Important for everyone

Health check-up:

From the age of 35, the health insurance companies pay for the "health check-up" for men and women every three years, which includes a blood and urine test as well as a physical examination and blood pressure measurement.

For example, kidney and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid diseases and even autoimmune diseases such as rheumatism can be detected early, explains cardiologist Prof. Stefan Kääb.

An ECG is also on the program, and it is also checked whether there is a lipid metabolism disorder.

Since autumn 2021 there has been a one-time screening for hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection as part of the check-up.

In this way, undiscovered infections are to be recognized and treated at an early stage in order to prevent long-term effects.

Skin:

From the age of 35 at the latest, a skin cancer screening every two years is covered by health insurance.

"The skin on the entire body is examined for signs of skin cancer," says Munich dermatologist Christoph Liebich.

Dental health:

Daily cleaning of the teeth and the spaces between the teeth is a must, as well as a visit to the dentist at least once a year and professional tooth cleaning two to three times a year.

In order not to damage the tooth enamel, dentists today prefer to work micro-invasively with adhesive technology, says Prof. Wachtel.

If a tooth is missing, it is better to place an implant instead of a bridge so as not to affect the neighboring teeth.

Eyes:

from the age of 30 glaucoma screening at the ophthalmologist.

Important for women

From the age of 35, an HPV test is planned in addition to the cytological examination.

"Towards the end of this period, most women enter menopause," says Prof. Mahner.

This causes great problems for some women, and hormone treatment can help here, says Prof. Mahner.

It must then be checked regularly whether the treatment is still necessary, because long-term hormone treatment can increase the risk of other diseases.

Colon :

For the early detection of colon cancer, women over the age of 50 are tested annually for hidden blood in the stool.

Breast:

Every two years, women between the ages of 50 and 69 receive an invitation to mammography screening for the early detection of breast cancer.

Important for men

Prostate

: From the age of 45, annual cancer screening of the genitals and prostate by palpation.

Bowel:

Early detection of bowel cancer from the age of 50.

"We know that men get colon carcinoma more often than women, which is why the corresponding screening is on the agenda for them earlier than for women," explains oncologist Prof. Hana Algül from the TUM Clinic.

For colorectal cancer screening, every man aged 50 to 54 is entitled to an annual test for occult blood in his stool.

However, it is recommended for men from the age of 50 to have two colonoscopies at least ten years apart.

"Colon cancer screening offers a very high level of security," emphasizes Algül.

"In a healthy intestine, a colonoscopy every ten years is sufficient, since a carcinoma needs this time to develop from a normal mucosa."

From 55 years: Pay attention to gums and bones!

Important for everyone

Dental health:

In this age group, the risk of gingivitis increases, says dentist Prof. Hannes Wachtel: "Dental health studies show that 70 to 80 percent of the population show a prevalence of gingivitis," says Wachtel.

Periodontitis is 90 percent preventable.

“The inflammation can stubbornly settle in the so-called periodontal pockets.

If they get into the jawbone, it is remodeled and degraded - with the result that the supporting structure of the teeth is destroyed.” All of these problems can be largely prevented through dental hygiene, emphasizes Wachtel.

In addition to daily dental hygiene, he recommends regular professional teeth cleaning.

"I recommend dental hygiene visits to your dental practice every three to six months, depending on your risk profile."

Cardiovascular system:

"Walk a lot, train your stamina and your coordination," says Prof. Kääb.

The health check-up every three years remains a must.

Skin:

In addition to annual skin cancer screening, it is important to keep the skin supple and take good care of it.

Feet and legs in particular should always be creamed, and dermatologist Liebich also recommends using oil-based shower gels.

Eyes:

From the age of 60, early detection of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by an ophthalmologist.

Important for women

For women over the age of 55, early detection of colon cancer is also on the agenda.

There are two possibilities: either a test for occult blood in the stool is done every two years, or there are two colonoscopies at least ten years apart.

"Mammography every two years is also important," emphasizes Prof. Mahner, because the risk of cancer increases with age.

Even if a woman no longer has a uterus, he recommends an annual visit to the gynecologist.

Anyone who moves and does sports a lot throughout their life does something for the stability of their bones in old age: If there is a risk of osteoporosis, Mahner recommends measuring the bone density.

Women should also take action if they have continence problems so that they do not stop exercising.

"Even a small intervention can do a lot of good here," says Mahner.

Important for men

From the age of 65 men have a one-time right to an ultrasound examination for the early detection of aneurysms in the abdominal artery.