There are several medical tests that you should undergo frequently. These tests allow your doctor to detect possible problems before they become serious. With the data gathered, your physician has the capacity to monitor conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease and institute measures accordingly to prevent a fatality.
The tests differ in the intervals you need to have them. Some are bi-annual, others are annual, and the rest are after several years. Knowing all the crucial tests can help you better prepare for them and make them less stressful. Below are the most critical.
Blood Pressure Test
This clinical exam aims to measure the pressure of your blood against the walls of your arteries. You need your blood pressure checked every year as part of an annual physical exam. Having the test allows your doctor to detect and handle high-pressure levels before they become too dangerous.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
This exam assesses the number of cells found in one cubic millimeter of blood. You should have your CBC test every two years or annually if you are older than 65. It gives the doctor a picture of your general health status since blood cells can warn you against diseases that are otherwise hard to detect.
Diabetes Test
If you have diabetes, your doctor will periodically check your blood sugar levels through an oral glucose tolerance test or a fasting glucose test. The former gauge your blood sugar levels after ingesting a sugary solution, while the latter takes blood samples from your body after 8-12 hours of fasting. You should have this exam every two years or annually.
Eye Examination
This test aids doctors in identifying eye problems that cannot be discovered during an annual physical. Eye problems are common in adults, but they can also signal some severe underlying health conditions. You should have this exam every two years, or annually if you are over the age of 65.
Chest X-ray
Many diseases begin with asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis symptoms that often go unnoticed. This exam enables the doctor to detect early signs of these diseases and prescribe appropriate treatments at their earliest stages. Chest X-rays should be taken every year as part of an annual physical.
Other common tests you should consider having are:
- Abdominal Ultrasound
- Bone Density Test
- Colonoscopy
- Abdominal CT Scan
- Cholesterol Test
- Fecal Occult Blood
Contact Hibiscus Medical to learn what medical tests we offer! Call 202-350-1546 or request an appointment online!