Are Physicals Necessary?

Annual physicals seem to some to be unnecessary, especially when nothing seems to be wrong. So what do we do when we want to be healthy and don’t have any symptoms? We have an annual physical and get screened for preventative diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar/diabetes. These are all conditions that have no symptoms until they are too late. There are currently several screening tests recommended at various intervals in your life.

A blood and urine test, a dental check up and a blood pressure check should be done each year along with a measurement of your BMI and a basic physical. There are other tests that begin later in life and aren’t necessary every year but are recommended every few years. Take a look at sources like the US National Institutes of Health to see when you should have a screening test. These are the tests you should consider having done:

• A Blood Pressure Measurement. This should be done every two years in those who have a normal blood pressure. If the value is 130/85 or higher, you should have the screening test more often to see if you are in the high blood pressure range.
• A cholesterol measurement should begin by about ages 40-45 and sooner if you have a high risk of heart disease. If the LDL is high and the HDL is low, you may need to treat the condition with cholesterol-lowering medications. This should be repeated every five years and more often if you are at risk for heart disease.
• A Pap test should be done for those at women who are sexually active or over the age of 21, regardless of their sexual activity. If three tests are normal over three years, then it is repeated every three years to check for cervical cancer and human papillomavirus.
• Breast cancer screening is done with a mammogram. It is done in women over the age of 40 or over the age of 50, depending on which agency you ask. If there are risk factors, then screening should begin earlier than age 40. A strong family history of early breast cancer is a common risk factor that necessitates early screening.
• Colon cancer screening should begin at age 50 years and should be repeated every ten years. It detects and removes polyps in the colon so it actually prevents colon cancer before it can occur.
• In men, prostate cancer screening should begin by age 40. It involves a digital rectal examination and possibly a PSA blood test which is elevated in enlarged prostates and in prostate cancer. It should be repeated every year.
• Diabetes screening should be done every few years beginning at age 45. It involves doing a fasting blood sugar which should be less than 100mg/dl. Screening tests over 100 should be repeated frequently so that it is not greater than 120.