A general medical checkup focuses on assessing a person’s overall health and preventing conditions that may be linked to lifestyle, personal and family medical history, as well as other factors such as occupation, sexual activity, and age.
Why Are Medical Checkups Important?Medical checkups matter because many conditions or diseases are much easier to treat, or even cure, when caught early, compared to when they’ve already reached a more advanced stage.
Medical checkups, also known as check-ups, vary depending on a person’s age, sex, and daily activities. That’s because a child won’t need the same type of checkup as a 60-year-old man, since certain conditions tend to be more common depending on age and other individual factors.
How Often Should You Get a Medical Checkup?As mentioned, the type of checkup needed depends on each person’s specific characteristics. For this reason, it’s a good idea to see your family doctor for guidance on which tests are right for you, so you avoid unnecessary testing.
As for how often to get a checkup, the general recommendation is that, before age 30, your doctor will determine the type and frequency of checkups based on your individual characteristics.
Once you turn 30, it’s a good idea to get a general checkup that includes blood and urine tests to help determine whether your body is functioning properly.
From that point on, if everything looks normal, it’s recommended to have a checkup once a year or every two years. If any abnormal results come up, your doctor will determine how often you should be checked and how to follow up.
Some of the main tests included are:
- Complete blood count. Evaluates information about blood cells.
- Blood chemistry panel. Analyzes substances in the blood serum; there are different types of tests that assess either basic components or a more detailed breakdown of each blood component.
- Urinalysis. Assesses the body’s overall health by analyzing the components of urine.
- Immunological tests. Individual tests that help detect conditions such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B or C, prostate antigen levels, and more.
- Chest X-ray. Evaluates the condition of the lungs, heart, and chest wall.
- Spirometry. Assesses lung function and evaluates any lung damage, if present.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG). Records the heart’s electrical activity and overall function.
- Checkups for women. Women will have some additional checkups, such as a pelvic exam, cervical cancer screening, and a breast exam.
At ABC Medical Center’s Preventive Medicine Department, you can learn more about general medical checkups and receive specialized care. Contact us!
