When we are young, men very seldom worry about getting medical checkups of different kinds: we tend to put off all these matters assuming they will only be relevant later.
Over time, excuses often change. We think: “why visit the doctor, if I don’t even feel sick?” And so, little by little, we go through life without noticing that we are leaving aside not only a simple diligence, but all our health.
The great truth is that medical exams for men should be performed not at specific times, but throughout life, and each age raises specific needs that must be known.
The medical check-ups that all men should have
1. Medical exams at age 20
At 20-somethings it is not necessary to take constant exams; However, if you do not want your body to take its toll at 40, it is best to have at least a general annual check-up, to measure weight, blood pressure and any other abnormalities, as well as a few specific check-ups.
1.1 Testicular self-examination
Many do not know it, but it is at this age that the risk of testicular cancer begins. To prevent this, it is best to do a self-exam at least once a month.
Examine one testicle at a time, lightly pressing your fingers on it and the posterior cord as you rotate it. This way you can detect possible inflammations, bumps and other risk factors that you can later consult with your doctor.
1.2 Booster vaccines
They are not properly a review, but without a doubt at this time you will want a few vaccines, on the one hand to reinforce the defenses acquired in childhood and on the other to improve your lifestyle.
Ask your doctor for a Tdap vaccine (against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough), also one against hepatitis A and another for hepatitis B, among others that the doctor deems appropriate.
1.3 STD testing
If you have had unprotected sex, it is clear that you will need to get checked for any sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV. However, there are so many diseases and ways to get it, it is best to have annual exams, just to be sure.
2. Medical exams at age 30
In this decade is when health stops being something that you can afford to put off. dYou must keep the previous medical check-ups and testicular self-exams, accompanied by other more detailed exams.
2.1 Complete cholesterol analysis
It’s time to check out your lipid level, and that includes a full cholesterol and triglyceride check.
The cholesterol profile is, in short, a scale that measures this fatty substance in your blood. An ideal cholesterol concentration should be around 200 mg / dl and not exceed 240 mg / dl. Triglycerides, on the other hand, are another type of fat whose concentration should not exceed 150 mg / dl.
Taking care of these two levels, you prevent diseases and complications such as thrombosis, blood pressure problems and heart attacks, among others.
2.2 Calculation of body mass index (BMI)
The body mass index or BMI is a relevant scale at this age, since the outside is just a sample of how you are inside.
There are many ways to calculate BMI, but it is best to see a doctor for it: this way you can better interpret the data, and receive instruction to correct defects such as possible cardiac consequences.
2.3 Skin examination
The skin, like any organ, partially regenerates throughout your life, but even so, after 30 years of accompanying you in your routine, it becomes more vulnerable and unpredictable.
Dermatologists analyze the skin by examining color changes, asymmetries, bleeding or general evolution to anticipate future conditions such as carcinoma or others.
3. Medical exams at age 40
Many men reach 40 years old exhausted by various factors and put their workouts aside. Therefore, it is necessary to make constant reviews, because at this age the risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes and others mentioned above only increase. Furthermore, general physical exams are still required.
3.1 Eye examination
Even if you already wear glasses and receive constant care, it is not a bad idea to have a more in-depth examination at this age. It is precisely at 40 when the first silent symptoms of suffering diseases of vision impairment appear such as: glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts or presbyopia (difficulty seeing nearby objects).
3.2 Checking blood pressure
If you’ve been a bit lighthearted up to now every time your doctor tells you your blood pressure is high, it’s time you started taking it more seriously.
A systolic pressure (or higher) between 120 and 139 and a diastolic pressure (or lower) between 80 and 89, are clear indicators of an alarming prehypertensive state for any man in his 40s.
Quitting smoking, starting cardio and so on are good ideas to prevent problems in this regard.
3.3 Blood sugar test and diabetes tests
High blood sugar and the type 2 diabetes it triggers are two problems that are on the rise in most developed countries, especially among adults.
Even if there is no history in your family, when you reach 45 you should test your glucose levels: if they are between 100 and 125 md / dl, you are considered to be at risk for diabetes .
4. Medical exams at age 50
Men in their 50s have crossed a threshold: instead of looking for symptoms, they deal with them. It’s time to get on with routine exams, adding new ones, and looking for specific medications.
4.1 Colonoscopy
If in your family history there has been someone with colon cancer, this test should have been done years ago. But even if not, at 50 all men should do it to rule out. If the result is normal, you probably won’t have to do it again for another 5 to 10 years, at the discretion of the examining doctor.
4.2 Heart check
An EKG is not usually necessary unless there is a history of heart problems in the family. However, at 50 it is better to be sure.
Make sure to be examined and ask your doctor if it is advisable to take aspirin or a specific vasodilator.
4.3 Prostate cancer examination
There is some controversy about this: some doctors say prostate cancer screening should be done at 45; others raise that margin a bit more. However, if you are 50, it is very necessary to have a regular prostate checkup .
5. Medical exams at age 60
Staying vigilant about health guarantees a peaceful old age. In addition to the three tests suggested below, it is good to keep an eye out for memory problems and other cognitive conditions.
5.1 Examination of abdominal aortic aneurysm
If you were a smoker, at age 60 you should have a sonogram to rule out an abdominal aortic aneurysm . If you have it and it explodes, it would be fatal, so you have to be vigilant with it.
5.2 Eye exam
It is very likely that at this age you already have a pair of glasses for different circumstances and receive constant ophthalmological examinations. However, it’s a good idea to remind your ophthalmologist to regularly check for other age-related conditions, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.
5.3 Bone density analysis
Although osteoporosis is more common in women than in men, doctors recommend that men also get a check-up when breaking the 60 barrier, especially those who have experienced abnormal weight loss or have a family history .
Reference
- Rachel Grice. Medical Tests Every Man Needs to Be Healthy For Life. For Livestrong. [Revised January 2017]
