Early Detection and Preventive Screenings

You’ve heard the old saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But as important as it is to eat well, there’s another old saying that can have an even bigger impact on your health: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Staying current on doctor visits and preventive care is one of the best possible ways to protect yourself — and catch potential problems in their early, most treatable stages. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of preventive care measures that can help you stay on top of your health.

Annual Wellness Visit

You should plan to visit your doctor once a year for an annual checkup. This allows your doctor to check on several basic health factors, including blood pressure, weight, and body mass index. Your doctor will also talk with you about any medicines you’re taking, as well as diet and exercise.

Eye Exam

Having an eye exam once every one to two years can help you manage eyesight, eyeglass prescriptions, and glaucoma screenings. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma, you should get an eye exam annually at minimum.

Dental Exam

Dental exams are recommended for all ages — but they become especially important as we age. One to two visits a year for exams and cleanings can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other important dental concerns.

Hearing Tests

If you show signs of hearing loss, a visit to an audiologist should be a priority. They can help you determine if your hearing loss requires hearing aids.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are one of the easiest ways to prevent illness. Making sure you are up to date on important vaccines could even save your life.

• Influenza vaccines, or “flu shots,” are a yearly vaccine everyone over 65 should get. Between 70% – 85% of influenza deaths every year occur in people 65 or older.
• Pneumonia vaccines can prevent life-threatening complications. The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) are both important to help prevent pneumonia and its complications.
• Shingles is connected to the childhood illness chicken pox. If you’ve had chicken pox, you’re at greater risk to experience shingles. To prevent this, vaccination at age 50 or older is usually recommended by healthcare professionals.
• COVID-19 vaccinations help prevent the transmission of this deadly virus. COVID-19 has been shown to affect older adults more severely than younger people. That’s why it’s important for seniors to get vaccinated, while continuing to take appropriate precautions based on current CDC guidelines.

Immunizations

Immunizations are different from vaccinations. Where vaccination is the act of stimulating an immune response, immunization is a process by which you become protected or resistant to a disease. This means that, in many cases, immunizations require booster shots throughout our lives. A well-known example of this is the tetanus-diphtheria shot, which requires a booster shot every 10 years.

Screenings

Health screenings are how doctors detect potential issues and help you address how to stay healthy. There are a variety of screenings recommended for those over 65, all of which fit within two main categories: general screenings and gender-specific screenings. The differences in the two deal with anatomical differences and disease prevalence in specific genders. For example, breast cancer, while found in men, is much more prevalent in women. That means breast cancer screenings are more recommended for women than men.

General Screenings

1. Bone density screening — Osteoporosis affects both men and women, although women are more likely to get it. It is still recommended that you get bone density tests regularly after age 65 to catch the disease before significant bone loss occurs.
2. Cholesterol screening — High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and strokes. Men age 35+ and women age 45+ should have their cholesterol levels regularly checked through a blood test.
3. Colorectal cancer screening — Screenings for this type of cancer typically are done through a fecal immunochemical test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy. Discuss with your doctor which option is best for you and your health needs.
4. Diabetes screening — Type 2 diabetes is a common concern for older adults — especially those with weight issues. Regular blood work can detect blood sugar factors that indicate risk and could help prevent worsening symptoms.
5. High blood pressure screening — Your chances of having high blood pressure increase with age. To keep an eye on this, doctors typically take your blood pressure each time you visit.
6. Lung cancer screening — If you’re over the age of 55 and have a history of smoking or currently smoke, you should get an annual lung cancer screening.
7. Thyroid screening — Thyroid issues can affect weight, energy levels, and cause aches. A simple blood test can check for thyroid levels and monitor for potential issues.
8. Skin cancer screening — This is a screening you can do at home. A self-exam to look for any irregular moles can help detect skin cancer early. If you have a history of skin cancer, your dermatologist may recommend a yearly exam.

Gender-Specific Screenings for Women

1. Mammogram — Women under age 75 should receive a breast exam every two years, although some doctors may recommend annual exams if you have a family history of breast cancer. Regular self-exams are also recommended. After age 75, discuss exam frequency with your doctor based on your individual medical history.
2. Pelvic exam and Pap smear — Women over age 65 should discuss with their doctors if continued exams are required based on their individual medical history.
3. Sexually-transmitted disease screening — Those who are sexually active at any age should test regularly if in a non-monogamous relationship.

Gender-Specific Screenings for Men

1. Prostate cancer screening — Prostate cancer screenings are done either by blood test or rectal exam. Doctors usually start recommending screenings to men around their 50th birthday.
2. Sexually-transmitted disease screening — Those who are sexually active at any age should test regularly if in a non-monogamous relationship.

Here’s one more old saying that’s worth remembering: “Good health begins with you.” Staying current with your screenings and tests is every bit as important to your overall health as proper diet and exercise. And receiving regular medical care at the right time can help you live a longer and healthier life.

This information is for educational purposes. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or medical conditions.

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