Health Test that Measures Senior Wellness
Elevated blood pressure, weakening of bones, and multiple other problems are common when it comes to entering your senior years. As you work your way through life and your age reaches a specific number, it is essential that regular medical testing be done. It’s the time in your life when you need to be proactive about your body and what it’s going through.
These tests are an essential part of your preventative health care. These tests are beneficial for the early detection of common as well as deadly diseases. When you’re past a certain age, you become more susceptible to illnesses. Hence it is vital to get regular medical testing done to ensure a long and comfortable life.
Here are some methods of regular medical testing that you need when you’re a senior citizen:
Blood Pressure Test
When blood rushes through your veins, blood pressure is the force it exerts on your artery walls. However, when it comes to elevated blood pressure when this force can be consistently very high can lead to multiple heart diseases. If not treated over time, this can damage the blood circulatory system and increase the risk of having a stroke, kidney disease, and even heart attack.
Approximately half of adults in the US suffer from elevated blood pressure. It contributes to one in seven deaths in the US. The longer your body deals with elevated blood pressure, the more the chance of diseases concerning not only your heart but your kidney, brain, and as well as your eyes.
As there are no apparent symptoms of detecting high blood pressure, it is necessary to get regular medical testing. This ensures that you’re not at risk of elevated blood pressure.
Bone Density Scan
As you enter into your old age, it is imperative to protect your bones. Regular bone scans are essential to leading a healthy life as a senior. A bone density scan measures bone mass; this bone mass is the key representative of bone strength; hence regular medical testing is necessary.
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes your bones to become brittle and fragile. The extent of it can lead to even small actions causing fractures. Hence it would be best if you protected your bones as you grow old. As you grow old, your ability to recover from injuries weakens.
A minor injury can lead to a fracture, and a fracture can sometimes lead to permanent disability and even death. Regular medical testing can help you detect the risk in the early stages allowing you to adopt prevention techniques accordingly.
Cholesterol screening
High cholesterol is one of the most common reasons why people fall victim to heart attacks and strokes. It’s nothing too deadly, though, if you detect the levels getting higher early on through regular medical testing. You can quickly treat high cholesterol with a proper diet and some medications. Be sure to regulate your cholesterol levels, and get tested regularly to ensure that your body isn’t at risk.
Blood Sugar Test
As you grow older, it is necessary to check the level of sugar in your blood. Regular medical testing of your blood sugar is crucial as it immediately indicates signs of diabetes or pre-diabetes.
It is always better to identify medical issues such as this early on and cater to them to prevent it from becoming worse and possibly fatal immediately. You can get tested for diabetes by a fasting blood sugar test or an A1C blood test.
Eye and Hearing Exams
Weak sight and hearing are some of the most common issues people face as they age. With time, your eyesight and hearing begin deteriorating, and it’s crucial to get regular medical testing to prevent it from getting worse. When either of these senses is weak, they get strained as they work harder, which is what causes it to deteriorate further.
Eye exams are relatively simple and can even be performed at home as well. Cover one eye and aim to read individual letters of different sizes from a distance. If you’re having trouble, visit a doctor to get the right prescription glasses. This is crucial as you may have damaged the inside of your eye, which requires surgery.
Regular medical testing for hearing is also simple. If the sound feels too low or muffled, you may only need hearing aids. In extreme cases, you may require surgery, but hearing aids usually do the trick.
Conclusion:
Senior citizens must get tested regularly to prevent things like elevated blood pressure. As you grow older, your body gets weaker, so getting tested for common problems can prevent serious issues. Most of these health problems are not severe, but they must be treated during the initial stages, or it can be very problematic.
These tests can help you efficiently protect your bones and other parts of your body from giving up on you in the long run. Senior citizens must get used to frequent tests if they wish to live a long and healthy life. Taking these tests regularly is the only thing that can reduce the number of pills you have to take in the long run.
FAQ’s
When should I start getting tested?
There is no set age to start. Some people do so if they identify symptoms; however, the early 30s are a good idea because there are no immediate symptoms of this issue regarding some illnesses such as high blood pressure.
What do I do if I have surpassed the initial stages of an illness?
Although this is a significant cause of concern, you don’t have to worry too much. Most of the later stages of the illnesses mentioned above have cures as well. At times like this, be sure to get regular check-ups and take your medication as instructed. You must also refrain from foods and habits that can be problematic and follow all instructions your doctors give you.
How often should I get these tests?
This depends on what the test is. Eyes and hearing exams, for example, are preferable once a year. At the same time, you should perform blood sugar tests every week if you are pre-diabetic. Speak to the doctor or nurse who gives you information on your results for the preferred duration between tests.
Brain Function Checkups
Maintaining sharp mental function is essential as we age. Short evaluations like memory tests, pattern recognition, and recall exercises can help detect early signs of cognitive decline. Men with a family history of dementia should begin testing by their early 60s to catch any issues early and explore solutions.
