As you age, the chances of developing serious health problems increase and regular trips to your general physician no longer cut it. Once you turn 40, there are many new exams to add to your medical routine. These exams look for common, serious problems to identify them early and keep you healthy.
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Mammogram
Mammograms are X-ray tests that help look for any abnormalities in the breast tissue. After the age of 40, mammograms should be done once every year.
As with many illnesses, the risk of developing breast cancer increases as you age, but yearly exams help to identify abnormalities early, which means treatment can begin early, improving treatment success. Your regular physician or your gynecologist perform these exams.
Diabetes screening
Diabetes screening checks how well your body digests sugar by testing your blood. Your doctor will take one blood sample right after you drink a sugary drink and one fasting test.
These tests should be done once every three years. They help determine if you are at risk for developing diabetes, so your doctor can work with you to prevent full-blown diabetes. Your regular physician would perform this test.
Vitamin D test
Vitamin D helps keep bones strong and protects against many health conditions. Because the risk of osteoporosis increases as you age, getting your vitamin D tested after you turn 40 is crucial.
Your doctor tests your blood to determine how much vitamin D there is. This allows your doctor to catch a vitamin D deficiency and start treatment to keep your bones strong. Your regular physician can perform this test.
Comprehensive eye exam
Even if you’ve never had eye issues in the past, you need to start comprehensive eye exams at age 40. The exam should be done once every two years and then once every year after the age of 65.
This exam not only checks your vision; it also checks for symptoms of glaucoma, brain tumors, cataracts, macular degeneration and other abnormalities. With routine exams, your doctor identifies problems early. A comprehensive eye exam is best done by an eye care professional.
These check-ups will be helpful after you turn 40 to catch any signs or symptoms early. The earlier your doctor identifies any abnormalities, the sooner you can begin treatment, which may prevent more serious problems. Make it a priority to continually improve and preserve your health by seeking the counsel of your doctors.
If you are nearing 40 or already 40, speak with your health care providers to start scheduling these important appointments so that you can continue to live a happy, healthy life!
About the Author:
This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves writing for business, women’s interests, and the home niches. Dixie lives in Arizona with her husband and three daughters who are the inspiration for her writing.
Aside from these essential appointments, don’t forget to keep up on your other regular appointments—regular check-ups at the doctor, dentist, or optometrist. Dental professionals of the York & Bay Dental Office, who provide orthodontics in Hamilton, say that after 40, many mothers are so focused on their childrens’ health that they neglect their own and forget to make annual dentist or doctor appointments. Aside from essential prevention tests, make sure you are still setting your annual appointments to keep you healthy.
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