Contents
Overview
There are not one but many cases where timely detection has saved lives. Regular health checkups allow you to take charge of your well-being. You are more informed about the condition of your body, the irregularities or risk factors involved, and how to work towards preventing severe health issues.
We approach for help only when it starts interfering with our day to day life. But little we know is most systemic conditions, be it hypertension or diabetes, detected at an early stage can be controlled with essential diet modifications and lifestyle changes.
1. Timely Detection
Blood tests help ascertain diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, cancer, HIV/AIDS, anaemia and coronary artery diseases. For example, your doctor may recommend a Complete blood count (CBC) to detect anaemia.
2. Effective treatment
If diabetes, some cancers, and heart disease are diagnosed early, treatment can be effective.
Prevention, timely diagnosis, and treatment are essential in diabetes mellitus. For example, the diagnosis of diabetes is based on the measurement of HbA1C level, fasting or random blood glucose level, or oral glucose tolerance testing. Many complications associated with diabetes, such as nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and death, can be delayed or prevented with appropriate treatment of elevated blood pressure, lipids, and blood glucose.
3. Reduced healthcare costs over time
If the problem is detected at an already exacerbated stage, it becomes complicated to manage and can even be a significant financial drain on the patient. Regular checkups are a great way to stay aware of what you can do to improve your health and reduce your risk of diseases. Investment in your health is the best investment. By spending a little today on preventive health checkups, we can save ourselves from substantial medical expenses and mental agony.
A simple example is how so many people ignore their lipid profile results. High cholesterol levels can exacerbate very rapidly and cause heart problems later. When identified early, changes in diet and lifestyle can help manage the situation.
Hectic work schedules and lifestyles can spark off a variety of diseases. Stress and anxiety have been found to be directly related to several different disorders that are both physical and psychological. These include hypertension, high blood pressure, weight gain, mental disorders, Alzheimer’s, depression, asthma, and even gastrointestinal problems. Regular medical checkups make it easier to diagnose and detect these problems before they turn too severe.
5. It keeps you aware and informed.
Your reports will tell your doctor all they need to know about your health. This will help them advise you on how to maintain your health better.
For example, if your HbA1c suggests pre-diabetes, the doctor will work with you to recommend appropriate lifestyle changes.
Routine medical visits may lead to detection of chronic disease (such as high blood pressure), response to risk factors (such as lowering cholesterol to prevent cardiovascular problems), and higher rates of recommended screening (such as angiography).
Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or as a substitute for consulting a physician. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a healthcare professional.
Sources:
https://medlineplus.gov/healthcheckup.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-often-should-you-get-routine-checkups-at-the-doctor
