Generally, men are not so expressive about their problems, whether they are related to their health or work. They never say them out loud before anyone in the family and may even be suffering quietly. But as they grow old, their health needs to be taken care of.
Our bodies start to change when we grow old. Being tested regularly is very important as growing age increases the risks of getting health conditions. Routine tests will ensure the health of men in the family. Plus, if one start noticing the first signs, these tests would help in preventing the severity of the disease. Most of the men do not this much for themselves, so you must take care of getting them tested periodically.
Here are five important screenings that every man should get:
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is one of the most important tests for men. Cholesterol is associated with heart disease which can be very dangerous. The cholesterol test will require a blood sample of your father to check the amounts of triglycerides, HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol) present in it.
How regularly cholesterol screenings are important?
In case of any family history (for instance: Hypercholesterolemia, Hyperlipidaemia, Hyperlipoproteinemia) then age below 19 years, every five years. Otherwise not needed generally.
Above than 40 years, 1 year or 6 months depending upon weight & history.
Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure test is done to check the amount of pressure a person’s blood is exerting on his blood vessels. It is tested using a device called sphygmomanometer. It is a significant test as a lower or higher blood pressure can have devastating effects on the person’s body. High blood pressure can lead to medical conditions like aneurysms and stroke, whereas low blood pressure can cause fainting, dizziness and even put a person in a coma.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a very common and at times, a very dangerous disease. One out of every five people in India is suffering from diabetes. In diabetes, the amount of glucose in our blood (blood sugar level) exceeds the required level. There are two reasons behind its occurrence – Reason one being – our body is not producing sufficient amount of insulin required; and the other being – our body is not responding to the insulin that is produced by the body.
HIV
HIV virus attacks the immune system of a person. This virus makes it difficult for the body to fight off diseases or infections. If one has HIV, it is important to prevent the spread of the virus. Based on the risk level, the doctor can help one determine the frequency of being tested. HIV never goes away but one can surely talk to the doctor about ways to manage this condition.
UTI
When unhealthy bacteria build up in the urinary tract of a person, it can cause an infection called Urinary Tract Infection. This infection is more common in women but men can also get it. So, it is important for men to get this screening done regularly. The symptoms include frequent urination, feeling like you have to pee all the time, pain after urination, wetting the bed, etc.
An Article by Mr. Sameer Bhati – Director of Star Imaging and Path Labs.