Routine Medical Check

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People often request to have medical check of their bodies. When they do so, they want to have investigations done to ascertain their status in order to prevent health crises. 

Truth is, medical check is an individualized assessment. Depending on the background health or disease information of the client available to the medical doctor, medical check in Mr(s) A may be different from Mr(s) B.

Nevertheless, what basic tests should be done irrespective of one's previously known medical condition?

General (Men and Women)

Most of these tests can be done on a 1-3year-basis.

Full Blood Count(FBC). This helps to assess the entire components of the blood. Some blood cancers or other problematic diseases in the blood can be picked early if one does yearly FBC assessment. A blood sample is used.

Liver Function Test. Some habits - especially excessive alcohol intake and ingestion of herbal concoction - and hepatitis viruses may slowly cause damage to the liver. One should not wait to become sick before assessing the health of the liver. A blood sample is used.

Kidney Function Test. Hypertension, diabetes, and herbal concoctions may cause damage to the kidneys. Some other diseases in the body may not be obvious, yet they are already damaging the kidneys. A blood sample is used.

Blood screen for HIV, Hepatitis viruses, and syphilis is essential. These infectious diseases may not give any symptom in the early stage. One should be sure that there is no chronic infection that can cause future health problems.

Chest Xray. Despite having no symptoms, some individuals with advanced stages of hypertension may have enlarged heart which may fail to work in the future. Some persons may have lung diseases which may not be troubling them yet. Chest Xray helps to identify if there is any disease in the lungs or heart.

Eye test. Glaucoma is an eye disease that may suddenly cause blindness. Cataract, an opacity of the lens in the eyes, which slowly impairs vision may be present. Both diseases can be identified early. Hypertension and diabetes may also affect the eyes. A regular eye check is wise.

Abdominopelvic Scan helps to show if there are any structural abnormalities in the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, stomach, and pelvic organs like prostate in men and womb in women. 

Blood Sugar Test: Diabetes is a silent killer. A simple test to assess the blood sugar helps to diagnose the disease early.

Urine analysis. The kidneys produce urine. A healthy urine sample should not have abnormal amounts of proteins, blood, or  waste products in the body. A simple urine test helps to give a fair idea of the health of the kidneys which can be confirmed with the kidney function test mentioned above.

Genotype and blood group tests should have been done in childhood. Those who didn't do it then can still have it done in adulthood to inform them about the various blood groups and genotypes in their family.

Stool for occult blood. There should be no blood in the stool. Some infections, inflammatory diseases, or intestinal cancers may cause the intestines to bleed into the stool. A stool sample is used for the test.

Colonoscopy helps to identify if there is abnormal tissue including cancer in the large intestine. If no abnormality is found, it can be done every ten years.


Women

Breast scan or Mammogram (in those at least 40 years old) should be done latest every three years if no abnormality is found. Some breast lumps may not be felt with the fingers. These tests pick them; one should investigate further if present.

Pap Smear test is done to diagnose abnormal tissues or cancerous changes in the cervix before health hazards arise.


Men (from age 40 years, especially blacks) should do Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test, latest every three years if a  normal value is obtained. If an abnormal value is gotten, an annual test is advised to assess possibility of increment in the value.

Normal values are in the range 0-4 ng/ml. The prostate gland is beneath the urinary bladder of every man. Its normal function is to produce Prostatic fluid which keeps the sperm healthy during ejaculation. As men get older, some may have abnormal enlargement of the prostate which may or may not affect their urination. The enlargement may be cancerous or not.

Highly elevated PSA raises the suspicion of a cancerous prostate; further tests then become necessary.

Other medical checks depend on complaints given by the individual, or their previously known diseases.

Ademola Orolu


About the Author

Ademola is a Consultant Family Physician and writer. He is the medical director of Nathaniel Health Consulting, a family hospital in Matogbun, Ogun State. 

He is an author of many books including storybooks. He regularly writes on health-promoting topics and encourages positive behavioural change in his articles.



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