Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
I know it’s easy to skip going to the doctor when you get busy. In addition to your regular checkup, I recommend, at least, fit in these 3 important health checks every year. The primary goal is to catch any problems early on, so you can get the care you need before any permanent damage or illness sets in. Health care professionals know what to look for and will find potential issues that we can easily miss. So, on that note, here are some vital health checks I think you should add to your yearly routine.
Important Health Checks #1: Dental Checkups
It’s fair to say that the majority of people hate going to the dentist. Maybe you heard a nightmarish story from your Aunt Judy. Perhaps, it’s just the uncomfortable nature of lying down with someone poking around in your mouth. If you simply can’t get over your fear, I recommend talking to your dentist about how he/she could make things easier for you. There are some simple ways in which to make patients more comfortable during exams and treatment.
Understand that dental health is important for the entire body. If you have poor oral health, the chances of your general health deteriorating are greater. Additionally, the dentist checks more than just the health of your teeth and gums. They also examine your tongue, neck, and jaw for early signs of cancer. It is recommended by dentists to visit annually at a minimum but every 6 months is ideal.
Important Health Checks #2: A Body Scan
Body scans are not widely practiced but are an up-and-coming option to diagnose many health issues. So, what does a body scan show? In essence, you go through a machine such as a CT that takes images of your body from the neck down or specific areas. This type of scan can locate irregularities in your organs, early tumors or growths in your body, and other bone and soft tissue problems. Some physicians use them as part of a regular screening process. However, others find them unnecessary unless the patient has problems.
Important Health Checks #3: Hearing Examinations
Hearing exams are important even if you aren’t experiencing any problems. The truth is, hearing loss can happen gradually without notice. It’s worth the little time it takes to make sure all is well. If you do have some hearing loss, you can prevent it from getting worse.
An annual hearing exam will assess your actual hearing, as well as the health of your inner ears. You should know that hearing loss has been linked to issues such as dementia, and mental health problems. It can also be a hindrance to job performance and social activities. If your doctor doesn’t normally do hearing exams, ask for one with your checkup.
If you do experience hearing loss, then there are several solutions available to you. Hearing aids are surprisingly advanced these days, especially if you look at reputable brands such as Starkey hearing aid models. Features like Bluetooth help the headphones become more modern, giving users the option to use them together with smartphones and other devices. Using hearing aids can also help to slow down your hearing decline, and will help you overcome problems such as social isolation that are common for people with hearing loss.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s advice for health checks. This is especially true if you are a woman over age 50. Don’t ever skip your primary physical and be mindful of anything that may need attention in between doctor visits.
**** This post is strictly informational and is not meant to replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Women’s Lifelink, its owners, administrators, contributors, affiliates, vendors, authors, and editors do not claim that this information will diagnose, treat, or improve any condition or disease.
