Persuading your partner to go for a health check-up can be tough. Men tend to steer clear away from visits to the hospital in general. Studies have shown that men aged 24 to 44 often put off seeing the doctor for a check-up even if it can help identify early stages of illnesses and serious diseases. Here are 10 essential health checks that men should go for:
The test can reveal: Blood cell count, blood glucose, cholesterol levels and certain types of cancer.
Doctors are also able evaluate how healthy your partner’s organs – such as kidneys, liver and the heart — are.
The test can reveal: Hypertension.
Optimally, this screening should be done once every two years or more frequently depending on the numbers. High blood pressure puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels which increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
The test can reveal: Your husband’s skin cancer risk.
Melanoma is the third most common cancer in men. Men are two to three times more likely to develop skin cancer than women and the risk increases if they are more exposed to the sun.
The test is relatively easy: check body for abnormal moles or spots and report to a GP as soon as possible.
The test can reveal: Your husband’s prostat cancer risk.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. If your significant other has a family history of the cancer, should go for the check even before they hit the age of 50. Doctors will check for the enlargement of prostate that can indicate cancer.
The test can reveal: Abnormal growths in the colon or rectum.
Colonoscopy and screening tests can detect these growths and doctors can remove it before it turns into cancer. The screening tests can also detect early signs of colorectal cancer.
Vaccines are as important to overall health as diet and exercise. If your partner is unsure whether they have been vaccinated, have them get checked for it. Tetanus, flu, HPV vaccine, MMR vaccine shots are some of the important shots to have.
To be safe, screening for infectious diseases such as chlamydia, cytomegalovirus (CMV), hepatitis B, HIV and other infections are important.
The test can reveal: Eye diseases and other problems.
As your significant other grows older, their eyes may not work as well as before. An eye exam takes about 20 minutes and it can help them to identify if they have vision problems.
The eye doctor will check for common eye diseases, eye teaming and focusing difficulties.
The test can reveal: Heart complications
This heart health check includes blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), chest x-ray and a CT scan. This specific group of tests will assess your partner’s heart health and pinpoint cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease that may cause death and morbidity. Only a healthy lifestyle modification can prevent or delay heart complications if it is detected early.
This is a health check that your partner can do even at home. If he has a poor diet, does not exercise, smokes and drinks excessively, it’s time for him to reevaluate his lifestyle choice.
By making adjustments to improving their lifestyle, men can help to prevent majority of illnesses and diseases such as obesity, hypertension, lung cancer and liver diseases.