World Health Day 2023: Essential health check-ups and tests that you cannot miss

In a fastpaced world full of anxiety stress and hardships itrsquos no more wishful but a necessity to lead a healthy and happy life To ensure overall wellbeing Dr Sushrut Pownikar head quality assurance department and deputy director Oncquest Laboratories Ltd shares a myriad of tests and checkups you must undergo regularlyldquoPeople living in metro cities are more prone to certain diseases due to lifestyle and environmental factorsrdquo added Pownikar The most common conditions affecting people in metro cities include viral outbreaks influenza STDS and respiratory infections Lifestyle diseases like cardiac ailments obesity and diabetes are on a rampant rise in urban landscapesRegular health checkup is one of the many essential steps to monitor ones overall health and detect any potential health issues early It is recommended to undergo a health checkup every six months to ensure good healthHere are some necessary tests one must undergo to lead a healthy and safe lifeNecessary Blood TestsBlood tests are an essential diagnostic tool to detect various health conditions It is recommended to regularly undergo1 Complete blood count CBC test 2 Lipid profile blood glucose test3 Thyroid function test4 Liver function testThese tests help detect any abnormalities in the blood such as anaemia high cholesterol levels diabetes and liver dysfunctionCancer detection at early stagesCancer is one of the deadliest diseases early detection is key to successful treatment It is recommended to undergo cancer screening tests such as1 Mammography for breast cancer2 Pap smear for cervical cancer3 Colonoscopy for colon cancer4 PSA tests for prostate cancer regularlyIt is always important to consult your doctor for any further testingCheckups to ensure a healthy heartHeart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and taking care of ones heart health is vital It is recommended to regularly undergo cardiac checkups including1 Electrocardiogram ECG2 Echocardiogram3 Stress test4 Lipid profile to monitor heart healthThese tests help detect abnormalities in heart function and can prevent the development of heart disease There are various tests available for heart atrisk evaluation these should be taken judiciously with your family doctorrsquos helpKidney and Liver FunctioningRegular kidney and liver function monitoring is crucial for maintaining overall health as these vital organs play a significant role in the body Some of the tests that can be undertaken are1 Creatinine and blood urea nitrogen BUN 2 Assessing kidney function3 Alanine transaminase ALT4 Aspartate transaminase AST5 BilirubinIt is recommended to undergo these tests periodically to ensure the proper functioning of these organs These tests help detect any abnormalities in kidney and liver function and can prevent the development of kidney and liver diseasesAnaemia and ObesityAnaemia and obesity are common health conditions affecting people worldwide Anaemia is a condition in which the body doesnt have many red blood cells or haemoglobin while obesity is a condition in which the body accumulates excess fat It is important to undergo tests such as haemoglobin levels and body mass index BMI to identify anaemic or obesity conditions and take necessary measures to manage themOral Health CheckupsOral health is also an essential aspect of overall health and it is recommended to undergo dental checkups regularly to maintain good oral health Dental checkups may include a visual examination Xrays and cleaning to detect and prevent oral health problems such as cavities gum disease and oral cancerMental Health CheckupsMental health is significant just like physical health it is advisable to undergo mental health checkups or consultation to ensure a sound mind Mental health checkups may include psychological evaluations and counselling to detect and prevent mental health disorders such as anxiety depression and bipolar disorderVaccinationsVaccinations are an essential part of preventive healthcare Vaccines protect us from several lifethreatening diseases such as measles mumps rubella hepatitis influenza and more recently COVID19 It is essential to get vaccinated as per the recommended schedule to protect against these diseases Vaccines not only protect us from diseases but also help build herd immunity reducing the overall spread of the disease in the communityAlso Read Mumbai expert explains what is glaucoma and the need for regular eye checkups