COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CHECKS

The best way to stay healthy is to practice a healthy lifestyle. That includes a healthy diet that is low in fats and includes lots of fruits and vegetables. It means not smoking and drinking alcohol only in moderation. Another part of a healthy lifestyle is getting the proper screening tests and acting appropriately on the information they provide.

Top health experts suggest that when you go for your next check-up, talk to your health-care provider (HCP) about how you can stay healthy no matter what your age. Certain screening tests such as colorectal cancer should be done earlier or more often, than others.

Based on scientific evidence, we recommend you take the following screening tests. Remember that these are only recommendations and your personal situation may indicate that you should have these tests earlier or more often than recommended.

• Cholesterol checks - Have your cholesterol checked at least every 5 years, starting at age 35. If you smoke, have diabetes or if heart disease runs in your family, start having your cholesterol checked at age 20.

• Blood pressure - Have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years, and more often as you age. Some racial and ethnic groups have a higher risk and should discuss the issue with their HCP.

• Colorectal cancer tests - Begin regular screening for colorectal cancer at age 50. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you. How often you need to be tested will depend on which test you have. 

• Diabetes tests - Have a test to screen for diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

• Depression - If you have felt "down", sad or hopeless and have little interest or pleasure in doing things for two consecutive weeks, talk to your doctor about whether he or she can screen you for depression. 

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Talk to your doctor to see whether you should be screened for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV.

• Prostate Cancer Screening - Talk to your doctor about the possible benefits and disadvantages of prostate cancer screening if you are considering having a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or digital rectal examination (DRE).

Should You Take Medicine to Prevent Disease?

If the screening tests show problems, you can discuss with your HCP the actions you need to take to regain your health. They can vary from no specific action, which is also called watchful waiting, to lifestyle changes and/or medical procedures such as operations.

There are also some medications that have been shown to stop or at least slow down some medical problems. According to the Task Force, they include:

• Aspirin - Talk to your doctor about taking aspirin to prevent heart disease  if you are older than 40, or if you are younger than 40 and have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or if you smoke.

• Immunization:
- Stay up-to-date with your immunizations.
- Have a flu shot every year starting at age 50. Have a tetanus-diphtheria shot every 10 years.
- Have a pneumonia shot once at age 65 (you may need it earlier if you have certain health problems, such as lung disease).
- Talk to your doctor to see whether you need hepatitis B shots.

What Else Can You Do To Stay Healthy?

- Do not smoke - However, if you do smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting. You can take medicine and get counselling to help you quit. Make a plan and set a quit date. Tell your family, friends and co-workers you are quitting.
- Healthy diet - Eat a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, animal or vegetable protein (such as meat, fish, chicken, eggs, beans, lentils, tofu or tempeh) and grains (such as rice). Limit the amount of saturated fat you eat.
- Exercise - Walk, dance, ride a bike, rake leaves or do any other physical activity you enjoy. Start small and work up to a total of 20-30 minutes most days of the week.

Healthy weight - Balance the number of calories you eat with the number you burn off by your activities. Remember to watch portion sizes. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about what or how much to eat. 
- Drink alcohol only in moderation - If you drink alcohol, have no more than two drinks a day. A standard drink is one 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.