Everyone knows wealth is health, as if it's a life mantra. But idealising strong physical fitness is easier said than done.
That said, specialists consequently keep recommending preventive protocol like annual physical check-ups because early detection can help ward off diseases and is therefore better than a cure.
Unfortunately, many choose to ignore the importance of physical check-ups for a number of reasons. So here we explore some of the most frequently asked questions about routine physical examinations.
I am a generally healthy person. Why do I need a physical check-up?
Annual physical check-ups are recommended for every individual aged between 20 and 60, as tests can help identify risk factors for common chronic diseases, and detect illnesses that show no apparent symptoms in their early stages.
Early detection of diseases enables one to timely access medical services and increase the chances of successful treatments. Managing a medical condition, especially in the early stages, also reduces the severity of its impact on patients and may delay subsequent complications.
However, individuals who fall prey to certain underlying diseases or who are at increased risk of certain health problems may be required to see doctors more often and may be required to undergo other tests.
What kind of tests does a health check-up entail?
During a health check-up, a medical practitioner will ask a set of questions about each individual's medical history and lifestyle that may affect her health before proceeding to blood pressure and body-mass index (BMI) tests. This is followed by a thorough physical performed by a doctor. After that, the doctor will run a series of lab tests.
A basic set of examinations includes complete blood count (CBC), fasting blood sugar to check for diabetes, lipid profile to measure the amount of total cholesterol, good cholesterol, bad cholesterol and triglycerides. The lipid profile can serve as a tool for a cardiac-risk assessment to help determine a person's likelihood of heart diseases.
Also included are the uric acid test to diagnose gout, kidney-function tests, liver-function tests, and a chest X-ray, as well as urine and stool tests.
A comprehensive programme, however, includes a thyroid-function test, hepatitis B test and an electrocardiogram test to check for signs of heart disease. Other tests include cancer blood tests, as they help diagnose certain types of cancers, especially cancer of the colon, the liver and prostate.
An abdominal ultrasound is also recommended. This test can find the abnormalities of the liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen, uterus and ovaries, and prostate. In particular, it can detect a fatty liver -- a medical condition in which the liver has too much fat, gallstones and cysts. These health problems usually have no symptoms until they progress. And they can get worse over time.
Do women require a more complicated check-up than men?
Women above 40 should also have a mammogram for breast cancer screening every 1-2 years. It is a guideline for women with no symptoms and who are not at high risk of breast cancer. However, women at a higher risk of breast cancer, such as those with a mother or a grandmother who's had breast cancer, should not wait until 40 to have the test. A mammogram is paramount in case any changes in the breasts such, as a lump, are spotted during self-examination.
Some doctors combine mammography with breast ultrasound to diagnose if a woman has breast cancer -- the most common cancer among Thai women.
Other important screenings for women include a PAP test for cervical cancer which can identify abnormalities, leading to effective interventions that may prevent serious disease from developing.
There are two main cervical-cancer screening tests: the PAP test and human papillomavirus (HPV) test.
The main objective of the PAP test is to find changes in the cells of the cervix. Meanwhile, the HPV test is used to find the DNA and infection of the high-risk types of HPV, including the nasty HPV16 and HPV 18, responsible for around 70-75% of cervical cancer cases globally.
The presence of any of these HPVs in a woman for many years can lead to cell changes that may need to be treated so that cervical cancer does not occur.
Do old people still need a health check? It sounds like a waste of money.
Yes, it is wise for people over 40 to have a check-up, especially if one's father has heart and/or blood-sugar problems. Heart disease and stroke are silent killers. Heart attacks can strike at any age. They are quite common in older adults, but they can occur in young adults as well.
Meanwhile, older adults may need extensive tests, as the body's function declines with age. Many older adults have poor eating habits and nutrition problems. Blood tests for vitamins and minerals can help monitor their diets.
For older females, a bone-density test is of great importance. The measure not only determines their bone health and risk of fractures, but also identifies osteoporosis.
While older men may need to have the exercise stress test (EST) to assess their heart health even though they do not have heart problems, it can help predict future heart attacks, as the tool tests the heart under stress.
A regular eye screening is also vital for older adults. Not only does it assess their vision; it picks up health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. People over 55 should have a dilated eye exam yearly.
