Regular Tests
One of the best ways a young person can ensure good health in the future is to have regularly scheduled tests and to be in touch with your body. The following are important tests for twenty-somethings.
Cholesterol Check: Have your total cholesterol and HDL level checked every five years.
Eye exam: Get your eyes examined at least once between puberty and age 40.
HIV: You should have an HIV test whenever you engage in risky behavior. That includes using intravenous drugs or having a partner who has used drugs and having unprotected sex. You should also get tested if you've had another sexually transmitted disease (STD) or if you're pregnant or plan to conceive. Hepatitis B immunization is also recommended for at risk individuals.
Pelvic and Breast Exam and Pap Smear: Women 18 and older should have these tests at least once a year to detect cervical and ovarian cancers and breast cancer. More frequent pap tests are recommended if you are at high risk for cervical cancer, if you became sexually active in your teens or if you've had a history of STDs. Also do breast self-exams every month.
Skin test: See a dermatologist every three years.
STD: Get tested every six months or at least every year. By the age of 24, roughly one in three sexually active people contract a sexually transmitted disease. Some diseases, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea , show no noticeable symptoms in women.
In addition to the tests recommended for women in their twenties, those in their 30s and 40s should be screened for the following:
Blood Pressure Check: at least every two years
Cholesterol Check: Starting at 35, you should have your cholesterol tested every five years. If your cholesterol is above 200, you should be tested more often.
Diabetes (fasting blood glucose): Women over 45 should be tested for Type II (adult onset) diabetes every three years, according to The American Diabetes Association. Diabetes, a disorder that affects the body's ability to control blood sugar levels, is estimated to afflict 16 million Americans, half of whom are not even aware they have it.
Eye Exam: A comprehensive exam every two to four years should be enough, unless you experience vision problems or injury. However, an exam is recommended every three to five years if you're African American (high risk of glaucoma). or if you have a family or personal history of eye disease.
Mammogram: The American Cancer Society recommends an annual mammogram for women in their 40s. However, women who are at higher risk of breast cancer should seek medical advice about whether to begin screening before age 40.
Tetanus Booster: every 10 years
In addition to those tests recommended for women in their 30s and 40s, women age 50 and older should be tested for the following:
Bone Mineral Density: The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that women over 65 should have this test. Others at risk are those who have reached menopause and have one of the following health conditions: history of fractures, dementia, smokers, low body weight, estrogen deficiency, low calcium and alcoholism.
Fecal Occult Blood: Have this test every year and more often if you are at risk for colorectal cancer. The test looks for hidden blood in feces, which can be an indicator of cancers of the digestive tract. Studies have found that people who got annual tests for colorectal cancer were anywhere from 15 to 33 percent less likely to die of the disease than those who weren't screened at all.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone(FSH): If you're starting to experience hot flashes or any of the other symptoms associated with menopause this test can help predict when you will actually go through menopause.
Thyroid: Get tested every three to five years to determine if your thyroid is malfunctioning, usually causing two conditions: hypothyroidism (when too few hormones are produced) and hyperthyroidism (when too many hormones are produced). When the first sets in, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, and weight gain result. When the second happens, conditions such as Graves' disease, which causes rapid heartbeat, weight loss, and dizziness, can occur.
Women over 70 should receive the same tests as those in their 50s and 60s, as well as the following:
Blood Pressure Check: This should be checked at least every two years, or annually if you're moderately overweight, have a family or personal history of hypertension, or fall into certain ethnic groups -- African-American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or Mexican-American. Hypertension is the most common chronic condition in older women and is often called the silent killer because it can have no symptoms in the early stages.
Cholesterol Check: High cholesterol levels in your blood (hypercholesterolemia) can significantly increase your risk for coronary heart disease. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends testing total cholesterol and HDL (high-density lipoproteins) every three to five years. HDL greater than 60 helps protect against heart disease. HDL below 35 places you at risk of heart disease.
Eye Exam: Women over 65 should have their eyes tested every one to two years even if you have no symptoms. There are a number of ocular problems -- including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy - that develop over time and that make periodic eye exams extremely important.
Other immunizations: Women over 65 should get a flu shot every year, a tetanus booster every ten years and a diphtheria shot every 10 years.
Pneumococcal vaccine: Pneumococcal disease infects millions of Americans each year, especially the elderly. Along with pneumonia, it can cause sinus and middle ear infections and meningitis. The vaccine protects against the 23 most common strains of pneumococcal infections.
