According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), men are 24% less likely than women to have visited a doctor in the previous year. Regular medical checkups and screenings are critical for both men and women but we have collated a couple of medical checkups and screening For men’s health in 2022. These visits can assist you in maintaining your health. They help in detecting early indicators of dangerous diseases and ailments when they are most treatable.
Medical examinations and screenings are not the same things.
Medical Checkups are appointments with your doctor to assess your health. Checkups are sometimes known as physicals or well checks. A doctor will examine your body and discuss your health during a checkup. You’ll talk about the symptoms you’re experiencing, the drugs you’re taking, and your daily routine.
Screenings are medical examinations that can detect diseases or disorders before symptoms appear. Blood pressure readings, blood tests, and colonoscopies are all part of the screening process. Some screenings can be done in the office by your doctor. Others can only be obtained from a specialized clinic or hospital.
The number of checkups and screening tests that men need, as well as when they need them, is determined by their age, health, and personal risk factors for particular diseases.
Blood tests are used to examine cholesterol levels (both good and bad), as well as triglyceride levels. High levels may suggest a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s suggested that you get a blood test:
If you’re over 45 and your risk of heart disease is normal, you should get a checkup every five years. If you’re at high risk of heart disease and have a family history of it, you should get a checkup every year starting at the age of 40.
Tests for Obesity: Being overweight puts you at risk for a variety of health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. Ask your doctor to check your BMI and waist measurement every two years if you are under 40 years old, and once a year if you are over 40 years old.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a painless and non-invasive diagnostic test that detects heart problems. It monitors the electrical activity produced by the heart as it contracts. Depending on your health and medical history, your doctor may recommend an ECG test every two to five years if you are over 50 years old. If you have an irregular heartbeat or are aware of your heartbeat other than when you exercise, tell your doctor.
What it entails: Prostate cancer screening detects the disease before symptoms appear. Prostate cancer can be detected in two ways. Your doctor uses a gloved finger to feel for abnormalities in your prostate gland during a digital rectal exam (DRE). A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures a marker for prostate size in your blood. Both tests detect abnormalities in the prostate gland, but they don’t tell you what they show. If the results are positive, more testing is required.
When should you get one? Consult your doctor to find out if and when you should have a prostate cancer screening. The American Urological Association (AUA) recommends personalizing testing for each man. According to the AUA, prostate cancer screening is most useful for men between the ages of 55 and 69.
They also recommend that men in this age bracket talk to a general care doctor or urologist about the potential benefits and drawbacks of screening.
According to the AUA and other organizations, men younger than 55 who have a family history of prostate cancer or who are of African American heritage should talk to their doctor about prostate cancer screening before getting tested. Screening is not recommended for men over the age of 70.
As a man, you need the Wellness plus app, you can book and pay for your medical check up on the app.
What it is: Before you develop symptoms, STD screening tests check for evidence of infections transmitted through sexual contact. STI (sexually transmitted infection) testing is another name for STD tests. They entail a minor blood draw.
When you should get it: Talk to your doctor about which STD screenings, if any, you might need. If you have several risk factors, including having several sexual partners, using intravenous (IV) drugs, or having sex with other men, you may need to get screened. You don’t need STD screening if you don’t have any risk factors. The US Preventive Services Task Force advises males with risk factors to get tested for HIV and syphilis.
What it is: A cholesterol test determines the amount of cholesterol in your blood. This test can help you determine your chances of developing heart disease or having a stroke. Blood pressure checks assist doctors in determining the severity of a variety of diseases and ailments, not just high blood pressure (hypertension). Blood pressure checks might help you determine how well your treatment is working if you have high blood pressure. Because high cholesterol and high blood pressure frequently have no symptoms, these tests are essential. They’re also heart attack and stroke risk factors.
When it’s appropriate to use it: Starting at age 20, the American Heart Association recommends obtaining a comprehensive blood cholesterol test, also known as a fasting lipoprotein profile, every five years. People with normal blood pressure (less than 120/80) should get their blood pressure checked every two years or at least once a year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If your blood pressure is high (more than 120/80), you should have it checked frequently, at least once a year.
What it entails: Doctors can examine the lining of the colon and rectum via a colonoscopy. A colonoscope is a thin, flexible device used in this procedure. The colonoscope is used by your doctor to look for indicators of colon and rectal cancer when it is at its earliest, most treatable stage. Your doctor can examine you for reasons of digestive discomfort and remove suspicious-looking spots. Rectal hemorrhage, stomach pain, and bowel movement alterations are some of these symptoms.
When should you have one? Starting at the age of 50, most people should get a colonoscopy every ten years. It may appear that ten years have passed since the last test. On the other hand, colon and rectal cancers grow slowly. If you have a high risk of colon and rectal cancer, you may need more frequent colonoscopies.
What Does It Mean?: A bone density test determines the amount of bone mass in the body. The only way to diagnose osteoporosis is to measure bone mass, which is an indicator of bone strength. Osteoporosis weakens brittle bones and makes them more prone to shattering. Many people believe that osteoporosis is only a woman’s problem. However, osteoporosis can cause one in every four males over the age of 50 to break a bone. A painless dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan is a typical method for determining bone density. During this screening test, you must remain completely still.
When it’s appropriate to use it: Many doctors advise males over the age of 70 to get a bone density test. If you’re under 70 and have rheumatoid arthritis, a family history of osteoporosis, past fractures, or have taken a long course of steroids, you should get a bone density test. If you smoke or have ever smoked, or if you are a strong drinker, you may wish to take the test.
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What it entails: A hearing test determines how well you can distinguish between different tones. A vision screening determines how well you see up close and far away, as well as your field of vision and color perception. Vision examinations can detect abnormalities in your eyes before you notice any symptoms. They can also detect illness symptoms like high blood pressure.
When it’s appropriate to use it: For those who do not exhibit signs of hearing or vision loss, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not suggest routine hearing or vision screening. Many adults, on the other hand, receive simple hearing tests at their doctor’s office. Experts also recommend receiving a baseline vision screening at the age of 40. Based on the results, your doctor will tell you how often you should return. Regardless of your age, if you have new hearing or vision difficulties, see your doctor and have them tested.
What it is: An oral health checkup consists of teeth cleaning, an oral health assessment, and mouth X-rays. These examinations help you maintain your ability to chew, speak, and smile. Oral cancer, gum disease, mouth infections like cold sores, and other illnesses that can spread to the rest of your body can all be diagnosed by your dentist.
When you should have it: Throughout your adult life, you should have an oral health checkup and teeth cleaning one to two times a year. If you have a chronic disease like diabetes, your dentist may recommend more frequent checks. You can find a dentist on Healthgrades if you don’t already have one.
What it entails: AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) screening detects aortic bulges. The aorta is the major blood vessel that transports blood from your heart to the rest of your body. It supplies your lower body in part by passing through your abdomen. AAAs can burst, causing internal bleeding, shock, and death if left untreated. A quick ultrasound evaluation of a part of your belly is used for AAA screening.
When it’s appropriate to use it: Men who have ever smoked should have a AAA screening between the ages of 65 and 75, according to the US Preventive Services Task Force.
