Critical Health Assessments To Have Done Before You Have Serious Problems

Cholesterol Monitoring

Cholesterol is a waxy material in the blood used to make healthy cells. When there is an overabundance of cholesterol, it can cause fatty deposits to build up in the blood vessels, slowing blood flow. Pieces of deposits can also break creating heart attack causing clots. Patients can minimize high cholesterol with a healthy lifestyle even if they have a higher risk through family history. Children without risk factors are usually tested twice, once between nine and eleven years old, and then again between seventeen and nineteen years old. As a no risk adult, cholesterol monitoring and screenings continue once every five years.

More frequent testing will be recommended by a patient's doctor if their family medical history has instances of high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure. Individuals may also need more frequent screenings if their lifestyle is considered particularly unhealthy. Screenings consist of a blood test done after a twelve-hour fasting period. Lifestyle changes and medications to treat cholesterol problems will be discussed with patients by their doctor.

Regular Immunization Evaluation

The majority of children will receive immunizations throughout their childhood. However, as adults, we often forget continued immunization evaluation should still occur. This is because the immunizations individuals get as children can wear off over time. A vaccination is an easy and convenient way to prevent some sicknesses. An annual flu vaccine and Tdap vaccines are good examples of preventative immunizations individuals should still receive even into adulthood. A patient's physician may also recommend other vaccinations based on their age range, profession, overall health, and lifestyle.

For example, adults who suffer from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are more likely to get complications if they catch the flu, which makes the annual flu vaccine a logical choice. However, other vaccines may not be so obvious. The pneumococcal vaccine, zoster, and Tdap vaccines are also recommended in these situations. Individuals traveling abroad should get certain vaccinations based on their destination(s), and in some cases may be required to get certain ones, though the specifics must be discussed with a doctor.