How often do you see your doctor for a general check up? If your doctor visits are limited to times when illness strikes, then you need to check out our guide to general health checkups for the whole family. Who needs what and when? We reveal the optimal health check ups you'll need from babyhood through to your adult life.
When our babies are born we're given a Personal Health Record with a guide to all their regular check ups and any immunisations they need. But after they pass the age of 18 months check ups become less regular. For optimal health your child should still have regular health checks, including the following tests described below.
However, all women should have an annual check up with their GP who should assess the following:
Men also need to see their GP annually for regular tests including:
When our babies are born we're given a Personal Health Record with a guide to all their regular check ups and any immunisations they need. But after they pass the age of 18 months check ups become less regular. For optimal health your child should still have regular health checks, including the following tests described below.
Regular health checks for children
- annual dental checks from when their teeth first come in
- regular weight and height checks
- regular eyesight and hearing checks
- height
- weight
- hearing
- sight
Regular health checks for teenagers
As your children reach the teen years they'll need to start having more regular check ups. These check ups include the following:- teenage girls need to start having regular pap smears when they become sexually active
- regular STI tests are also essential for any sexually active teen
- annual dental assessments are also important
- regular skin checks should be undertaken - particularly self-examination of any moles
Regular health checks for women
It's important to maintain regular checks at home to stay on top of what's happening with your body. Monthly breast examinations and regular skin checks for moles and sunspots are essential.However, all women should have an annual check up with their GP who should assess the following:
- breast examination
- skin check for melanoma
- blood pressure check
- eye checks once you're over 40
- BMI check
- An annual dental and oral health assessment with a dentist is also a must.
- pap smear, including thin smear pap test
- blood tests to check cholesterol and blood triglycerides once you're over 45 years
- bowel cancer checks once you're over 50
- women over 50, or younger if there's a family history, should get a mammogram breast check
- bone density tests after the age of 45
- diabetes test, particularly if you're over 45 or are overweight
Regular health checks for men
Monthly health checks at home for men should include skin examinations and, from puberty onwards, regular testicle assessments taking note of any thickenings of the skin, or lumps in the testicles.Men also need to see their GP annually for regular tests including:
- blood pressure tests
- BMI check
Other health checks for men include:
what is my ideal healthy weight?
how much physical activity should I be doing?
do I have any risk factors for illness? If so, what should I do to manage these risk factors?
do I need any flu or other immunisations?
Regular health checks help you stay on top of your health and give you the opportunity to catch any potential conditions early, while treatment is simple. Schedule your check around your birthday each year so it's easy to remember - and take charge of your health.
- tests for prostate cancer annually from the age of 50 onwards
- bowel cancer checks should be done every two years over the age of 50
- eye tests are also important, with the first being undertaken at 40
- bone density tests should be done after 50
- annual dental check ups
Questions to ask your GP
When you book in to see your GP, make sure you advise the receptionist that you'll be needing a long appointment for a health check and tests. It also helps to have a list of questions ready, particularly if you have something you'd like to discuss. Otherwise, you might like to ask the following:what is my ideal healthy weight?
how much physical activity should I be doing?
do I have any risk factors for illness? If so, what should I do to manage these risk factors?
do I need any flu or other immunisations?
Regular health checks help you stay on top of your health and give you the opportunity to catch any potential conditions early, while treatment is simple. Schedule your check around your birthday each year so it's easy to remember - and take charge of your health.
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