Mid-Life Screenings: The Importance of Regular Checkups as You Age

Regular health checkups and preventive screenings become increasingly important with age.

Aging can bring an increase in health complications, many of which don’t show symptoms until they are more severe. Annual checkups improve the likelihood of complications being detected early.

Staying proactive with your health ensures better management and treatment options. Here’s what you need to know about screenings and when to schedule.

Common forms of screening include:

• Laboratory Tests: Tissue, blood or urine samples can reveal potential health issues.
• Imaging Tests: An MRI, CT scan or mammogram looks inside your body to screen for various diseases.
• Physical Examination: An external examination, looking for any unusual changes, such as lumps or abnormalities.

The frequency of screenings may vary depending on family history, gender, tobacco use, lifestyle choices and overall health. Generally, adults over the age of 40 should start annual screenings for conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and certain cancers, including breast, prostate and colorectal. 

Here are some additional guidelines:

Once a Month

• Self-check your skin for any abnormalities

Once a Year

• Get a full-body skin exam
• Ask someone to measure your body mass index
• Receive a cardiovascular evaluation
• Take a comprehensive physical exam
• Get a depression screening

Every Two Years

• Check your blood sugar 
• Get an eye exam

Every 10 Years

• Take a hearing test

As people age, they often need more frequent medical care due to a natural decline in overall health. For many older adults, the most daunting aspect of aging is the potential loss of health and independence. By taking proactive and preventive measures, they can maintain their health and independence.

Don’t wait for symptoms to arise—take charge of your health and schedule your annual checkups to stay ahead of potential issues. Find a doctor that’s right for you and review your health needs and history to establish the best screening schedule. 
 

  More articles

Trevin Lambert

Trevin is the Content Development Coordinator at North Kansas City Hospital. In his position at NKCH, he creates a variety of written materials utilized throughout the hospital and online for both internal and external audiences. He and his wife, Maddie, recently moved to Kansas City with their dog, Indiana Jones, and their cat, Keanu Reeves.