Make health screenings one of your resolutions

As you’re making your New Year’s resolutions for 2011, resolve to take care of your health by putting health screenings at the top.

Screenings are medical tests that look for diseases before you have symptoms. The benefit of having appropriate screenings tests is that they may identify diseases early, when they are easier to treat. Different screening tests are needed at different ages. Some are needed once a year, and others less often. Talk to your doctor about which tests you should have and how often.

Here are a few of the common screening guidelines:

• Obesity: Have your body mass index calculated to screen for obesity. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.
• High cholesterol: Have your cholesterol checked regularly starting at age 35 for men and 45 for women. Talk to your doctor about whether to start sooner if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, or if you smoke.
• High blood pressure: Have your blood pressure checked at least every two years.
• olorectal cancer: Have a test for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need to be screened earlier.
• Diabetes: Have a diabetes test if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
• Depression: Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. If you’ve felt sad or hopeless over the last two weeks or have felt little interest in doing things, talk to your doctor about being screened for depression.

Men can also be at risk for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm, an abnormally large or swollen blood vessel in the abdomen. Men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have smoked 100 or more cigarettes during their lifetime may need to have a one-time screening test for this condition.

Women need to be aware of their risk for breast cancer and cervical cancer. It is recommended that women have annual mammograms starting at age 40. Women who have ever been sexually active and are between the ages of 21 and 65 should have regular Pap smears. Women should also have a bone density test beginning at age 65 to detect osteoporosis (thinning of the bones).

Most insurance plans will cover the cost of these screening tests. Check with your insurance provider to find out what’s included in your plan. Screenings can save your life, so commit to taking care of your health in 2011. Have a happy and healthy New Year!

Lynda Metz is the director of community development at Bonner General Hospital. The information in this article was provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.