Introduction
Health screenings are important for early detection of diseases which favors timely intervention and in turn improved patient outcomes. Also, these screenings can detect risk factors before the symptoms arise leading to prevention of various diseases.
What are Health Screenings?
Health Screenings are a tool that is employed to identify several diseases and possible contributing factors of the disease at the initial stage. Health screenings may differ depending on the age, gender, genetics and lifestyle factors. Health screenings can comprise physical examination, blood tests and imaging.
Advantages of performing health screenings
- Screening for health allows early detection of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders resulting in effective treatment and enhanced survival rates of fatal diseases.
- Health screenings save the cost of hospitalization or treatment of a more advanced nature regarding healthcare by diagnosing and preventing diseases at an early stage.
- Certain diseases such as high cholesterol and hypertension are symptomless in the initial phase but develop complications such as stroke. The health screening catches them in time, and hence complications are avoided.
Some common types of health screenings:
- For heart diseases: Blood pressure checks, Cholesterol level checks and Electrocardiogram to detect irregular heart rhythms.
- For Cancer screenings: Mammograms for breast cancer, Pap smear for cervical cancer and PSA for prostate cancer.
- For infectious diseases: Hepatitis tests, HIV and STDs tests and Tuberculosis tests.
- For chronic diseases: Blood sugar tests for diabetes, Kidney function tests and Thyroid function tests.
When to get yourself tested?
Health screening frequency depends on age, gender and lifestyle factors. Regularly consult your doctor for the need of tests.
For example:
- Women above 40 years should get mammograms done regularly.
- People having a family history of diabetes should get themselves screened regularly
Conclusion
Health screening is an effective tool in disease prevention. It gives patients the opportunity to take actions towards a healthier future.