Women - Don’t wait for a health complication – Opt for Preventive HealthCare
A woman’s body is constantly evolving. Each age shift brings along new hormones, reactions and experiences. An entire family depends on a woman. With changing times the lives of women have become more demanding increasing pressure, stress and workload on them. However despite such responsibilities 40% of Indian women don’t opt for regular health checkups.
Women – Keep a check on yourself!
Women should have a health check up every year. Seeing your doctor for regular checkups will help you stay healthy and pick up early warning signs of disease. Apart from other tests like B.P, cholesterol checks which should be done for both men & women. Women should have the following screening tests:
PAP smear & pelvic examinations– Beginning at age of 21 or earlier if you are sexually active women need to have a pelvic exam, PAP smear every two years to check for any abnormalities in the reproduction system. Pap test is a simple screening test to pick up any irregularity that if not treated might lead to cervical cancer.
Mammograms & breast exams- Starting around age 25, women should have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years until age 40 .A mammogram is a screening test for breast cancer and should be done every year after age of 40.
Thyroid Test – 1 in 10 adults in India suffers from hypothyroidism, with 50 per cent being women. It is important that you get 3 simple tests done to keep a check on your thyroid gland – T3, T4, TSH. Thyroid abnormality during pregnancy can affect the baby too!
Bone Health Test – Women after 40 years of age should opt for bone densitometry tests to keep a check on osteoporosis- thinning of the bones. Ignoring the same can cause bone fractures & bone loss.
Diabetes Test– Diabetes is a silent killer. With majority of the women leading a sedentary life and indulging in eating fast food, it is advised that a regular fasting blood sugar test be done after every 6 months.
Heart Health Test – Heart disease is the number one cause of death in women. Regular lipid profile and cholesterol checks along with annual tread mill tests should be done to ensure that you are heart healthy!
Immunizations– You need to take care of yourself first to be able to care for your family! Opt for Hep A, B and Influenza vaccinations. Consult your gynecologist on HPV vaccinations too! Post you are vaccinated spread awareness in your family for the same.
