No matter what the age is, everyone requires a health checkup regularly. However, senior people require frequent medical testing because with the increasing age, many of our body organs begin to deteriorate.
Some studies suggested that 80% of seniors have at least one health complication, while 68% of seniors have two or more chronic health conditions. Here are some of the important tests that every senior citizen should get tested for.
10 essential tests that older people need:
1. Complete blood count: Complete blood count is essential for all of us. This test helps to detect many infections, diseases including anemia and leukemia. A complete blood count evaluates the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, haematocrit, platelets and other elements.
2. Blood pressure check: High blood pressure also known as hypertension, is a very common condition that nearly one in every three older adults suffer from. According to the CDC reports, 69% of women and 64% of men above the age of 64 have hypertension. This condition is called the “silent killer” as it does not show any symptoms before it gets too late, and this can lead to heart attack or stroke. So, this is why it is important to get a blood pressure check regularly.
3. Thyroid profile test: Thyroid testing is one of the common tests that every old adult should get done. Our thyroid glands have multiple functions, including producing essential hormones and regulating metabolic rate. Thyroid profile test can help to detect hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and other thyroid issues.
4. Diabetes test: This is also one of the most crucial tests that everyone over the age of 45 should get. There are mainly two types of diabetes test, such as fasting glucose test and A1c blood test. Both of the tests help to check your blood glucose level.
5. Rheumatoid arthritis factor test: Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful life-long condition, which generally affects and inflames joints. This inflammation or swelling causes severe pain and stiffness. The rheumatoid factor test helps to detect RA factor in your body, which is a protein produced by the immune system.
6. Colonoscopy: Every person over the age of 40 should get a colonoscopy to detect colorectal cancer. If you have a family history of this cancer then you might require this more frequently. In this test, the doctor will use a camera to scan your colon to look for any cancerous polyps. Colorectal cancer is completely curable if it is caught at the right time, this is why a colonoscopy is important.
7. Prostate cancer screening: Prostate cancer screening is also very important. This screening can be done by scanning the rectal, or by examining prostate-specific antigen in your blood.
8. Bone density exam: Osteoporosis is a bone disorder that can affect people of all ages, but it generally affects the older people. Also it is more common in older women than men. Bone density exam helps to scan bone mass to determine bone strength. Everyone, especially women who are over 50 should get a bone density scan once a year.
9. Mammogram: As per a cancer study, women over the age of 45 should get checked for breast cancer annually. However, most doctors suggest going for a mammogram once every two years. If you have a family history of breast cancer then you will need a mammogram more frequently.
10. Eye and dental checkup: As we age more, eyes are the primary organ that begins to decline first. Our oral health also gets gradually worse. This is why it is important to get a proper eye and dental checkup twice a year.
Those are all the primary tests that every senior citizen should get. Fortunately you can get all these tests in a senior citizen health checkup. However, there are also other essential tests as well, which generally depend on your current health condition and family health history. So, if your parents' age is 50 or up, then you should get them a full body checkup for senior citizen.
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