Medical check ups – Have you booked that doctor’s appointment yet?

There are certain things we like to postpone for as long as possible. Getting out of bed after a fun filled weekend. Returning to normality at the end of a relaxing holiday. Or booking that annual appointment with your dentist.

Prevention is the key focus today. We can’t always avoid falling ill and early detection is oh so crucial. Over the last few years, I’ve heard too many stories where colleagues have been diagnosed with severe illnesses. For some, the regular visit to the doctor actually made a difference between life and death. But which check-ups should you do and when?

You and your doctor can discuss which check-ups are the right ones for you. Your doctor will keep in mind your age, medical requirements and family history. My GP and I went through required routine follow ups due to my personal circumstances. She also advised on what to do in case something does come up in between.

The following are general suggestions so please don’t take them as or substitute them for medical advice:

Visit your dentist once a year.

Clean your teeth at least 2x a day. If you’ve eaten fruits, wait for 30 minutes to allow the fruit acid to go down. Otherwise, brushing your teeth and rubbing the acid against your gum will attack the enamel and lead to cavities.

Floss daily. Your toothbrush can only go so far. When flossing, you can actually get between your teeth and remove plaque. It’s proven that regular flossing supports healthy dental hygiene and can even extend your life.

Do monthly self-examinations of your breasts.

Breast cancer is the most widespread cancer for women in the world (for men, it’s a much lower rate). Only lung cancer comes close to it and it’s still not known what causes breast cancer.

Examine your breasts on a monthly basis, ideally a few days after your period. If you’ve not sure how to do a self-exam, this illustration outlines the 5 easy steps. It’s a good idea to keep a diary. You can check your previous findings and should you feel something unusual, it will be a useful reference for your doctor.

Book a well woman check once a year.

On an annual basis, your ob gyn can perform a well woman check. This includes a general physical exam, a pap smear test which screens for cervical cancer and a breast exam. Women over 50 are recommended to get a mammogram every 2 years. A mammogram is an x-ray of your breast and can be used to check for breast cancer, if no signs or symptoms are shown.

Gentlemen, have a well man check once a year.

A health check has to belong to top topics men seem to avoid. And if you then dare to suggest a prostate cancer screening, they’ve completely escaped from this earth. Man up, this is about your life!

Keep an eye out on your moles and spots.

Put sun lotion on before you go outside (this includes your face, too). Check the shape of your moles every 3 months and take pictures of them. Ask your partner to look at those in difficult positions for you to see (e.g. your back). A change a colour or size should reviewed by a dermatologist soon.

Watch your eyes.

Your eye sight changes over the years. If you’re suffering from vision problems like headaches, not seeing objects sharply or having a blurred vision, you may require some (newer) visual aids. For those already wearing glasses or contacts, a review of your eye sight every 2 years may be sufficient.

Track your LDL cholesterol.

We’ve all heard that high cholesterol is not good for us: Stroke, blocked arteries or a heart attack can be caused by excess cholesterol.  We can take preventive measures by following a diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, poultry and fish. Physical activity like walking, swimming or cycling for 30 minutes 3-4 times a week will have a positive impact, not only on your cholesterol. Give up those cigarettes (not just for cholesterol). For some, however, high cholesterol is hereditary and may require prescription drugs.

Are your vaccinations current?

Vaccination recordsDo you know which shots you’ll need and when? Do you have a vaccination passport that shows your last vaccination date? Review your current vaccinations and put a reminder in your calendar for the refresher. Here’s the vaccination schedule for your children in Dubai.

If you’re going to travel, check which vaccinations you need to get. Some like hepatitis will require more than one shot and need to be stretched out over time. Factor this in before booking a trip.

Set some time aside this week and review which ones you’ll need. If your practitioner is not available on the weekend, ask for a consultation mid-week on Tuesdays. Wait time is the lowest on that day.

How are keeping track of your medical check ups? Is it time for your appointment?

Until next time,
Agni

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