A woman has multiple roles to perform in life. Be it trying to fulfill family responsibilities, maintaining career goals, or upkeeping personal interests, a woman has a lot on her plate. Amid all this, though staying healthy should be her primary goal in life, sometimes a woman forgets to prioritize her health when working on her home, career, kids, family so on and so forth. In the last few decades, fifty percent of women between 40 to 50 have been diagnosed with at least one chronic illness. Therefore, timely health checkups have become crucial especially when a woman turns fifty and hits menopause. Bringing umpteen changes to a female body, the key to maintaining optimum health after this major body change is to go for related screenings and tests that may help identify the ailment if any, and add healthy years to life.
Why Is A Health Check-Up Important?
Certain body screenings can be a part of a routine, some are inevitable and can easily look for diseases and disorders. Primarily, the anatomical make of their bodies makes them susceptible to several mild to chronic health conditions. In addition, hormonal changes can increase the risk of the development of these numerous diseases. So, some screenings are extremely essential for every woman to help identify early warning signs at a perfect time.
Here is the list of important health check-ups that every woman must go for. In case your mommy hasn’t taken these tests, make sure you get it done for her.
Mammogram:
At every age, a self-breast examination is a must for all females. Screening of breast cancer consists of clinical exams and mammograms. Mammograms are nothing but X-rays of the breasts that can detect cancers and other changes in breast tissues. A mammogram becomes necessary if there is a history of breast cancer in the family.
Cervical Cancer Screening:
Also called Pap Smear, cervical cancer screening is done to identify changes in body cells that may turn into cervical cancer if left untreated. Screening for cervical cancer also includes human papillomavirus testing. The test examines the cells of the cervix and looks for the risk of cervical cancer. It is also done to conduct checks on reproductive organs, including the vagina, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
Bone Density Test:
Bone health for women gets affected after she hits menopause. It is believed that fifty percent of postmenopausal women may get an osteoporosis-related fracture. Thus, a bone density test is a must for women above the age of fifty and for women who have a history of osteoporosis in the family. In this test, an X-ray is passed over the hip and the lower spine to detect any bone loss or fragility.
Thyroid Function Test:
The thyroid gland produces thyroxine and triiodothyronine hormones that help in regulating metabolism. Women have more chances to be affected by thyroid issues than men. Low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) slow down metabolism and can cause symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and irregularity in menstrual cycles whereas high levels of thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can increase heartbeat, cause anxiety and promote weight loss. In the above-mentioned symptoms and after the age of forty, a thyroid function test is prescribed to control the thyroid levels and help it return to normalcy.
Also Read: Thyroid Function Tests: Why It Is Done and What To Expect
Diabetes Screening:
A diabetes check is vital for women's health at all stages but more so after the age of 40. Diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease by about four times in women as compared to men. Moreover, women are at higher risk of diabetes-related complications such as vision disorders, chronic kidney disease, and depression. Besides regular post-meal blood sugar readings, the HbA1c test is used to test blood sugar levels over the last three months. A diabetes check is essential when a female is planning a pregnancy. As a rule, every woman should get a blood glucose test every three years starting around age 40 to check for diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Lipid Profile Test
A lipid panel can be very helpful to look for abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body and the risk of heart identify heart problems. While the cholesterol should be checked every two years starting from around thirty-five, women with a family history of heart disease may need to get this test done frequently.
The bottom line is that a woman can take care of her loved ones when she is in the pink of health.
On this note, we wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the fabulous moms!
To book your diagnostic tests on Netmeds.com, https://labs.netmeds.com/nms-labs
