Relevant Health Checks for Women’s Health Improvement
You can prevent and manage a lot of severe health issues which can lead to serious complications when they are detected on time. Preventive health measures and timely treatment has always been and would continue to be a perfect approach to prevent deadly health issues. Even when you have a deadly health issue, these approaches can help curtail the effect of the disease.
For women, there is a well-woman checklist that when carried out regularly, would identify any health risk. This list may vary depending on age and other health factors the woman has, but the following tests are necessary for most women.
- Blood pressure screening
Doctors advise that if you have ever experienced a low or high blood pressure at any point in your life, you should ensure that your blood pressure is checked regularly. Particular attention should be paid to this screening by those who are obese, hypertensive or above 40 years.
- Cholesterol
Cholesterol level check is essential because it helps measure how healthy your heart is. Getting your cholesterol level checked regularly will significantly reduce the risk of heart diseases and stroke. If you are above 20, ensure that you check your cholesterol level once every five years. If you have any other condition which puts you at a higher risk of having high cholesterol levels, you should consult your doctor to know how often your cholesterol level would be checked.
- Pap smears
Women between the ages of 21 to 65 are advised by experts to get a Pap smear test done every three years. A Pap smear test is usually the first step in diagnosing cervical cancer. During the test, the doctor or nurse will take cells from your cervix, which would be examined for cancer cells.
- Mammograms
A mammogram is used to detect breast cancer. It involves compression of the breasts between two plates while an X-ray image is taken. Breast cancer is one of the major causes of death in women, and since the risk of having breast cancer increases with age, you should get a complete breast examination every year. If you have a family history of breast cancer, the need for this examination becomes greater. You can regularly carry out a self-exam under the supervision of an expert, but if you notice anything abnormal, you should see a gynaecologist.
- Bone density check
About 8 in every 10 women have osteoporosis at one point in their lifetime. Osteoporosis is a condition where essential minerals leach from the bone. Due to the loss of these bone minerals, the bones become brittle and weak. This condition usually results from the decreasing level of oestrogen that helps protect the bone mineral loss. A bone density test will check how strong the hip, spine, joints and other bony components are using a specialised x-ray.
- Thyroid
Thyroid related health conditions are common in women. Most women complain about unexplained weight loss, hair loss and exhaustion. It is advised that women above the age of 35 carry out thyroid tests regularly.
Depending on your health condition, you can have more tests added to your routine health checks such as blood sugar check and liver function test.
At a London woman’s clinic, you can get several test packages which you can choose from. Call us now on 020 7183 0435 to book an appointment to get your well-woman check in London today.