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Preventive medical screenings are important as we age. These screenings can catch hidden diseases and health risks early, allowing us to be proactive before the obvious symptoms appear.
As we grow older, the natural risk for chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and bone loss tends to increase. Regular testing allows doctors to find these issues at a stage when treatments work best and are not only easiest on our bodies, but also more successful. Most of these screenings are covered by Medicare and many times people do not take advantage of these services.
So during open enrollment for Medicare, we want to look at what screenings might be beneficial for you. And remember if you want to look at your Medicare options, you can reach out to Direction Home of Eastern Ohio at 330-505-2300 or OSHIIP (Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program) at 1-800-686-1578.
Some conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and early-stage cancers often develop silently -- many times, without anyone even realizing they have anything going on inside their body. By having regular screenings, these diseases can be caught BEFORE they cause a heart attack, stroke, or severe damage to the body.
This also allows us to preserve our independence because we can manage these health changes before they affect our physical and cognitive function.
When looking at screenings, let's look at the most common and important screenings that are typically recommended for seniors. Starting with cardiovascular and metabolic health, consider regular checks of blood pressure (typically recommended annually unless an issue may be present) and routine blood checks to monitor cholesterol and blood sugar levels. These basic tests catch silent dangers, protect the blood vessels, prevent major emergencies and allow your doctor to see the bigger picture to protect your overall metabolic and heart health.
Now consider some essential cancer screenings that should not be put off. To protect the body from colorectal cancer, consider tests like a colonoscopy or stool test. This allows polyps to be discovered so they can be removed before they progress to cancer.
Consider visiting a dermatologist or health care provider to check for skin cancer once a year. This allows people to monitor melanoma and to check suspicious spots and moles. Having regular mammograms is important because as we age the risk of developing breast cancer can increase over time. The earlier breast cancer or abnormalities are detected, the more treatment options might be available.
Checking for prostate cancer by having a prostrate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test helps detect prostate cancer early, before symptoms appear and before the disease can spread to other parts of the body.
Some additional screenings can include bone density scans that look for osteoporosis and the risk of fractures. Dental exams are also important because they play a key role in heart health. Many people do not realize that gum disease is linked to a higher risk of heart disease. Eye exams help ensure your vision is the best it can be but also allow doctors to spot more serious eye issues like glaucoma, macular degeneration or even cataracts. Hearing exams are also important because they can let you know how you are doing and may let you know if you need hearing aids, which can improve your ability to talk and listen while improving your quality of life.
Remember, any time you can be proactive rather than reactive is always a positive when it comes to your health