Recommended Health Check-ups by Age Group
In the realm of maintaining good health, regular screenings and tests play a crucial role. Here's a guide to help you navigate the recommended health checks for different age groups.
For adults over 45 years with overweight and at least one other risk factor for diabetes, regular blood glucose tests are beneficial. This is part of a broader focus on diabetes mellitus, with adults aged 65 and over typically recommended blood sugar level checks by doctors.
Well-child visits are essential for children, covering checks for overall growth, blood pressure, eye health, hearing, heartbeat, spine, legs, feet, abdomen, genitals, teeth, developmental milestones, and in some cases, autism screenings at ages 18 and 24 months. Eye exams for children should occur between ages 6 and 12 months, again between 3 and 5 years, and then annually until age 17 years.
Adolescents are recommended to undergo screenings for body weight, height, blood pressure, cholesterol, and sexually transmitted infections if they are sexually active.
People between the ages of 40 years and over may begin getting recommendations for breast cancer screenings every 2 years. However, there is a lack of evidence on whether routine breast cancer screenings help prevent deaths in older adults, making it essential to discuss the advantages and disadvantages with your doctor.
Dental checkups are recommended for a person from around the age of 1 year, with eye tests every 1 to 2 years after age 65 years.
People with inflammatory bowel disease may have colorectal cancer screenings, while screenings for cervical cancer may involve an HPV test every 5 years, a Pap test every 3 years, or a combination of both, starting at age 25 years. People should begin colorectal cancer screenings at age 40 years.
Female adults should begin getting bone density scans at age 65 years, unless they have additional risk factors, in which case they may begin earlier.
Newborn screenings check for conditions such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, spinal muscular atrophy, congenital heart defects, and hearing loss.
Adults between the ages of 18 and 39 may begin having screenings for high cholesterol from age 20 years onward. The frequency of cholesterol screenings depends on a person's level of risk for cardiovascular disease.
Lastly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a hepatitis C test for all adults in the United States in their lifetime and any time they become pregnant.
Remember, specific recommendations may vary by country and individual health status, so it's always best to discuss health screenings with your doctor to ensure you're making the most informed decisions for your health.
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