Health Screenings: Making Your Senior's Health a Priority

Health screenings are an important aspect of the medical field, as they allow doctors to perform tests that pinpoint and address concerns before they become major problems. Depending upon the age and gender of your elderly loved one, it is crucial that they are provided with the health screenings necessary to keep their wellbeing at the highest level possible. Jim, who is 55 years old, recently had his annual exam with his doctor in Durham, North Carolina. The physician explained to Jim the importance of taking a proactive attitude toward his health with age-appropriate screenings. The following are the tests that the doctor recommends for men aged 50 to 59:1

1. Blood Pressure Screening: This should be done every two years at the very least, but it is frequently completed at the beginning of every doctor's appointment. A quick measure of blood pressure can help doctors determine heart health and other important factors. 
2. Cholesterol Screening: Completed with a simple blood test, this screening measures LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol and should be completed at least once every five years. Cholesterol levels, like blood pressure stats, can indicate heart health. 
3. Colorectal Cancer Screening: Colorectal cancer is an extremely dangerous form of this disease and, in most cases, it is difficult to detect without the proper screening activity. There are three different ways in which doctors can look for this form of cancer: colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and stool sample. Colonoscopy entails the insertion of a camera to look for polyps, ulcers, and other abnormal tissue. A sigmoidoscopy is, basically, the same technique, but it is performed only in the area of the pelvic colon and the rectum. Stool samples are frequently analyzed to determine if there is any blood passing out of this region of the body. Individuals are encouraged to have a colonoscopy every 10 years, a sigmoidoscopy every five years, and annual stool sample analysis. 

Jim understands that maintaining a regular health screening routine is not always easy, as individuals may forget when they need to have each test done; however, by partnering with their doctors, individuals can ensure that they follow the recommended screening schedule and maintain a proactive attitude about their health.
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1http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-09-2010/screenings_by_age_and_gender.7.html