conflicting instructions or controversial health may prevent the maintenance of always you really need, or extended delivery for tests that...
conflicting instructions or controversial health may prevent the maintenance of always you really need, or extended delivery for tests that could be saved. So what medical tests tests is what you really need?
These days, more and more healthcare organizations alluding to the fact that (hey, hello!) We must all individually unique and many medical decisions. Have the types of complex discussions with your doctor, who can solve the personal risk factors for various health problems, however, can be difficult if you are in a room by appointment through all your questions in 15 minutes.
Therefore, at least help some of the speculation bring here the large projections you need and how often you get it, how they decided workgroup services in the prevention of the United States, independent expert group that reviewed the scientific evidence for various screenings and health services.
1. Pap - Test
What is his former "friend", the Pap - smear and similar swab tests for the human papillomavirus, or HPV.
Who should get it: 21-65 years Women.
Frequency: every three years or every five years if you are between 30 and 65 together and get the swab against HPV and cytology aged. The good news? You probably do not need physical examination of the pelvis.
Why - so important: Both tests look for changes in the cells, the need for further tests, like a biopsy showed, said Tasneem Bhatia, a Board Certified physician who specializes in integrative medicine. When it comes to cervical cancer, you want early to catch it, he said.
2 colorectal cancer - screening.
What - what it is: The dreaded colonoscopy.
Who should get it: adults 50 to 75. The 76-85 should discuss whether they should continue to be examined by their doctors.
Frequency: Every 10 years, assuming that everything seems normal.
Why - so important: Unpleasant For a colonoscopy be can, that's the best tool we have to choose the colon or lesions cancer precancerous or early polyps, said Nieca Goldberg, medical director of table Center at New York University for health women. Women can reduce the risk of underestimating the disease, but it is the most common and most deadly cancer for women, behind breast and lung cancer third, according to the Centers for Disease Control. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, your doctor may recommend tests before and again more than once every ten years, Bhatia said.
Breast cancer detection. 3
What - what it is: A mammogram.
Who should get it: women aged 50-74 women between 40 and 49 and women over 75 years of age should decide when to start and their routine - screening - stop doctors.
Frequency: Every two years, if you are at average risk. With a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer, the doctor may recommend frequent mammograms.
Is so important - why: As we have already written, mammograms are not perfect, but for the moment are the most effective tool we have to detect breast cancer. "For the detection of early breast cancer, we hope that the cancer spread to reduce," Bhatia said.
4. Blood pressure test
What - what it is: a measure of blood through his veins with the arm band flows, is used.
Who should get it: adults over 18 years.
Frequency: Once per year. Usually this is done at an annual physical examination, turned into a little controversy, Goldberg said. "I always think it's important because I see too many people who do not take care of themselves," he said.
Why - so important: heart disease is the number one killer of American women, and hypertension is a major risk factor. Screening means that you can make recommendations based on your doctor health outcomes, Goldberg said. If the blood pressure reading again on the boundary between normal and high, your doctor may recommend changes in diet and exercise. Medications can help people who have crossed the threshold of hypertension. After that, it is often the case that all the measures to ensure, to be tested in order to stay healthy actually work, she said. Because of its link to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and cognitive impairment, it is important to ensure that the blood pressure is well controlled, Bhatia said.
5. Panel - lipid
What - what it is: This blood test for total cholesterol, "good" HDL - cholesterol, the "bad" LDL - cholesterol and triglycerides, another type of blood fat. Triglyceride levels are most affected by what they have eaten recently, Goldberg said, be carried out as cholesterol tests after a short period of fasting from. Overall STAVING entries for four to six hours before the test should be good, she said.
Who should get it: Surely women over 45 years have an increased risk for heart disease, and probably women aged 20-45 years who have an increased risk of heart disease, too. (The USPSTF given a rating of A on the evidence supporting the use of cholesterol testing in older women and B for young women.)
Frequency: Once a year, if you are healthy, to ensure that there is no change for the worse, Bhatia said. Young women do not need annual screening if they are healthy, Goldberg said.
Is so important - why: high cholesterol with heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Maintain help a general understanding of their levels, you and your doc intelligent decisions for your heart, so that you keep healthy, especially with the approach of menopause. Estrogen is believed that HDL cholesterol increase ( "good cholesterol"); natural decline in estrogen at menopause may be a reason why your heart increases the risk of disease when they get older.
6. Testing for Hepatitis C
What - what it is: A blood test once for hepatitis C.
Who should get it: The baby - boomers. Adults born 1945-1965 may have been exposed to contaminated blood, has not been strictly tested. is extended projections do not come into force before 1992, Bhatia said.
Frequency: Once. With high-risk adults - IDUs usually past or present - may need to be checked more frequently.
Why - so important: While all born adults 1945-1965 should be examined women who had a caesarean before 1992 are at particular risk because they have received blood transfusions that are not selected for the virus. For many people, a liver disease mention one, Bhatia said. If you have no symptoms, Hepatitis C could squander his immune system and can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer if not treated.
Blood sugar - test in July.
What - what it is: As part of your routine - examination, your doctor will order a urine and / or blood test for glucose levels in the blood or urine for type - 2 - diabetes or prediabetes border.
Who should get it: women aged between 40 and 70 who are overweight or obese.
How often: As a rule, each year, but more often if your values are defined in the pre-diabetes category, Goldberg said.
Is so important - why: Type - 2 - Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease, but who have diabetes may also increase the risk of depression disorders and foods that are already common in women than in men. The good news is that you can take control of their blood sugar, and can help make changes that help delay diabetes progresses detect abnormal you and your doctor.
8. Classification of osteoporosis
What - what it is: a bone density test.
Who should get it: women over 65 years.
How often: If you are not at risk, could be enough every 10 years, Bhatia said, but for women with a family history of osteoporosis or a history of previous fractures can recommend a doctor every two years, Goldberg said.
Why - so important is: The analysis, your doctor may alert a slippage in the bone mass ", which would increase the risk of injuries and reduced mobility," Bhatia said.
9. Assessment of Depression
What - what it is: a conversation with your doctor about your mental health.
Who should get it: All adults.
How often: More and more evidence that something should happen regularly, although most doctors are likely to evaluate patients for depression when small signs or symptoms are noticed, Bhatia said.
Why - is so important: the mental health can be daunting to speak, so that a part of standard care may more people get the help they need in secret. Depression is twice as common in women than in men and is the leading cause of disability worldwide, according to World Health Organization. Screening can help identify the best treatment before it is debilitating.
