Maintain a Healthy Life? Here’s a Importance of Regular Health Check-Ups

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. A regular health check-up is one of the ways to achieve this definition of health.

Regular health check-ups play a vital role in maintaining a healthy life by promoting a proactive approach to healthcare. They are known by various terms like general medical examinations, wellness visits or periodic health evaluations. Regardless of the terminology, a regular health check-up can tell a person whether they are at higher risk of getting certain health conditions like heart or kidney disease, diabetes or stroke.

Overview

Until a few years ago, people used to visit a doctor only when they fell sick or were in pain. The world today is a changed place where the average life expectancy has gone up and priorities have changed. No one wants to lead a life where they react to conditions. Everyone wants to be in control of their body and their mind, and being proactive will go a long way in helping to achieve it.

This article aims to provide a clear understanding of the importance of regular health check-ups. It seeks to give a timely reminder to those who have put their health and wellness on the back burner and prioritised wealth. It is also meant to gently awaken the generation that says they have no time for anything but work.

Who Needs Regular Health Checkups?

Many men and women in the active working-age group, between 30 and 60 years, are more vulnerable to lifestyle diseases. Irregular work timings, unhealthy eating habits, odd sleeping hours and constant stress seem to be accepted parts of their lives. It does not come as a shock, then, to read about young managers succumbing to a cardiac arrest while exercising in the gymnasium. But health evaluations shouldn’t be restricted to the working age group.

Individuals of all ages are advised to schedule regular check-ups with their healthcare provider. The frequency of these check-ups may vary depending on age, gender and personal health history. Children may need more regular check-ups to monitor growth and development, while older adults may need more frequent check-ups to monitor chronic health conditions.

Importance of Regular Health Check-Ups

Regular health check-ups are useful to identify early signs of disease, and they increase the chances for effective treatment. It’s always a good idea to consult with a doctor regularly, even if one feels healthy. Often, health check-ups are a part of routine medical care, and doctors perform such checks when the purpose of the visit was some other condition. They are meant to understand the person’s lifestyle and suggest improvements when they are needed.

Prevent Health Issues

Prevention is better than cure may sound boring, but they are the primary reason for regular health check-ups. Many warning signs of illness are often missed or overlooked by people and these signs can be picked up in the early stages by healthcare providers. Providing information such as a family history could alert the doctor about a person’s likelihood of developing a particular disease. 

A regular health check-up can identify prediabetes, a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be categorised as type 2 diabetes. With a few lifestyle changes like weight loss, regular exercise and a healthy diet, it’s now possible to prevent the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. 

Early Detection of Potentially Life-Threatening Diseases or Conditions

High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels are among the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Doctors recommend checking blood pressure every 2 years even if there is no family history of high blood pressure because uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure) can lead to haemorrhagic strokes. Cholesterol levels and triglycerides need to be observed regularly over the age of 45 and earlier if there is a family history. High cholesterol and fatty substances can build up in the arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow to the heart and other organs. When they are detected early, corrective measures can be taken to prevent life-threatening myocardial infarctions and strokes. 

Lower Health Care Costs

Cost is a major factor for many people to avoid regular health check-ups. It may sound logical when a person regularly undergoes a few diagnostic tests and nothing turns up or there is no cause for alarm. But, it is better to pay for an early routine chest X-ray than to undergo an expensive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the future to diagnose or confirm a more serious condition. Bone density test is a simple and painless scan that can help to predict the risk of fractures and osteoporosis, which requires long-term medications. Small procedures like these at the right time can mitigate the risk of developing a more severe illness that could be expensive to manage.

Eliminates Further Growth of Disease

One of the most important parts of regular health check-ups is screening for cancer. It involves checking for abnormal cells in individuals who have no symptoms. Cancer is much simpler to treat when it is detected before symptoms appear in an individual. Many cancer screening tests help in an early diagnosis. Prompt treatment plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of cancer and reducing mortality rates. Some of the recommended screening tests are: 

• Mammography for breast cancer screening

• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Pap Tests for cervical cancer screening

• Colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and stool tests for colorectal cancer

Reduces the Risk of Complications During Treatment

Regular check-ups not only reduce the risk of complications but also enhance overall treatment outcomes. Healthcare providers prioritise gathering a detailed personal history during regular check-ups to identify factors that may impact treatment and recovery. Addressing comorbidities and lifestyle habits, such as alcohol consumption and smoking, is crucial as they can interfere with medications and delay the healing process after surgical procedures. By proactively managing these factors, healthcare providers strive to optimise treatment effectiveness and minimise potential complications.

Increases Life Expectancy 

Routine health check-ups create a sense of general well-being and awareness among people about their health. Such self-reported outcomes are of tremendous value as they finish their regular health check-ups and are informed that they are healthier than they had felt. These visits also make it easier for individuals to reach out to healthcare providers when there is a problem. Regular health check-ups have proven to help in the detection of chronic diseases. Along with preventive measures like screening tests, vaccinations and controlling risk factors, regular health check-ups help in increasing life expectancy.

Keep A breast of New Medical Developments or Technologies

People who undergo regular health check-ups can understand new medical technologies, treatments and devices from a trustworthy source - the doctor. Healthcare providers can advise people to adopt simpler ways to record their health parameters, like wearable sensors that can monitor vital signs like pulse rate, body temperature, breathing and even blood pressure.

FAQs

Why is it Important to do a Regular Health Check-Up?

A regular health check-up can help in the early detection of many conditions and diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. It provides an opportunity for healthcare providers to assess an individual’s overall health status and identify potential risk factors.

What is the Importance of Health Checkups for Students?

Schools and colleges play a vital role in the spread of infectious diseases and epidemics. It is important to create awareness among students and improve their knowledge of health check-ups and preventive measures. Vaccinations can reduce students’ sick days, and oral health check-ups can prevent the need for expensive dental treatment.

What are The Most Important Health Checks?

Some of the most important health check-ups include:

• Monitoring blood pressure

• Blood tests for cholesterol and glucose

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) for detecting abnormal electrical activity of the heart

• Height, weight and obesity tests like Body Mass Index (BMI)

• Annual eye examinations to detect glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy

• Screening for breast and cervical cancer, prostate cancer

• Dental check-ups annually

What are Regular Health Checkups?

Regular health check-ups are consultations with a doctor or visits to a hospital even when there are no symptoms. They can be useful to check for an ongoing or expected medical problem. They help to assess the risk of a future medical issue and provide recommendations to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

What are The Benefits of Preventive Health Check-Ups?

Besides vaccinations, preventive health check-ups offer various other benefits. They can identify potential risk factors based on an individual’s overall health and habits and recommend personalised preventive measures. These include lifestyle changes like dietary modifications, physical activity and exercise routines and stress management, which have been shown to have positive effects on long-term health outcomes. By encouraging individuals to take an active role in managing their health and well-being, preventive check-ups can contribute to a holistic approach to healthcare.