If you are a man over 50 and not so sure about his health we have a few medical tests for you to go for.
Turning 50 is a milestone for a man as well as a celebration. You have hit half a century while making a life of your own as well as for your family and it is certainly an achievement as you could not have done that if you were not making healthier choices for yourself as well as for your loved ones. However, at the crucial age of 50, a man’s body starts ageing and is prone to certain diseases that might be serious as well. It is high time for him to stop worrying about his health and start getting his medical tests done on a regular basis to make sure that he is healthy and disease free.
However, men, even at the age of 50, tend to believe that they are completely healthy and no illness can touch them. They shy away from getting medical tests done on a regular basis and almost have no idea about which diseases they might be suffering from. But the fact is that there are certain medical tests that a man in his 50s should always get done to make sure that he is disease free as well as healthy.
Keeping this in mind, we have listed down the medical tests that a man in his 50s should get done regularly. Have a look below:
Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA Test
While all men are at a risk of prostate cancer, men who are in their 50s or above are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. The PSA test is a blood test that is used to measure the amount of PSA in your blood. High PSA levels may indicate prostate cancer or an enlarged or inflamed prostate. Therefore, determining a high PSA reading can sometimes be complicated. A man might have to undergo a rectal exam to correctly determine the condition. If your PSA levels are 3 ng/mL, your doctor might ask you to get a biopsy of the prostate done. If your levels are less than 1 ng/mL, then your doctor will most likely ask you to get another PSA done at the age of 60.
Colonoscopy
If you are 50 years or older, your doctor will definitely ask you to undergo a colonoscopy. He might ask you to get the test done earlier if you have certain character traits such as Inflammatory Bowel Disorder (IBS) or a family history of colon cancer. A colonoscopy allows your doctor to catch cancer or precancerous growths in the colon and the rectum region. In many cases, a colonoscopy gives an accurate diagnosis and treatment of colorectal problems without the need to undergo any major surgery.
Blood Pressure Test
For men over 50 years, high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can be dangerous as it increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease that can lead to life threatening episodes, such as heart attack and stroke. It is often called the silent killer because people suffering from high blood pressure rarely show any signs. Due to that, early detection and regular diagnostic tests are key to controlling hypertension and the complications that arise from it.
If your blood pressure is normal, then your doctor will probably check it at your next annual check up. However, if the top number of your reading is greater than 140 or the bottom number is greater than 90, your doctor will recommend more frequent tests. If you suffer from diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other health conditions, you may need to have your blood pressure checked more often.
Lipid Profile Test
Lipid profile is a routine test that helps to determine the lipid-protein or cholesterol content in your blood. Every man over the age of 20 should get it checked once every five years. If your cholesterol levels are in the safe zone, you may not need another test for 5 years. However, if your numbers are high, your doctor will ask you to get tested more frequently as you try to lower your cholesterol through diet, exercise as well as other alternatives.
Blood Sugar Test
Every man over 45 should get their blood sugar or glucose checked. Your doctor will ask you to get this test done if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as unintended weight loss, slow healing of wounds, or unusual thirst. High blood sugar levels can be a sign of diabetes which can lead to vision problems, kidney disorders, and an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. If your blood sugar level is normal, you can go for your next blood sugar test in three years. If it’s high, you’ll need to have your blood sugar rechecked sooner and possibly have other tests done that will help indicate if you have or are at a risk of diabetes.
Eye Test
Regular eye exams become more essential as a man rolls into his 50s. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, it’s a good idea to test for any deterioration in the quality of your vision by consulting your ophthalmologist. Regular eye exams can also help catch other vision problems that begin to develop at this age. Many eye related issues such as cataract, glaucoma, and macular degeneration may not have physical symptoms until they have advanced. These exams become even more important if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of eye diseases. A man should get an eye test done every two years or as often as his doctor recommends.
Conclusion
A man in his 50s has many responsibilities as his kids have grown older and are probably off to college. However, while he is busy checking out the best universities for them, he should not forget to get the above medical tests done, to make sure that he is able to see them getting graduated in a healthy manner.