Q: I’m 26 and want to know what kind of medical checkups I should be getting. -- Kelly T., Lincoln, Nebraska
A: There are a wide range of screenings and checkups that can catch developing problems early, alert you to needed lifestyle changes, and increase your quality of life -- even when you’re in your 20s and feeling invincible.
If you have an annual physical and gynecological exam, you’re going to be able to catch a wide range of problems. For example, you can have blood tests that establish a baseline for your lousy LDL cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure -- so you will know if they’re in a trouble zone already or if, over time, they’re trending toward trouble. You can also determine if you need to lose weight to reduce your risk of future chronic diseases such as heart disease or sexual dysfunction. And you can check that your vaccinations are updated or that you have had them at all (for HPV so that you prevent cervical and throat cancers, for example).
At the gynecologist, you can be screened for breast and cervical cancers. It’s also smart, if you are sexually active, to be tested for infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and hepatitis C.
You should also have teeth cleanings and oral exams at least twice a year. For most folks, an eye exam once in their 20s and once in their 30s is sufficient.
There are other areas of health that are more challenging to be screened for. For example, depression and anxiety have increased enormously in younger adults, but there isn’t a simple blood test or scan to show if you would benefit from treatment. If you’re dealing with emotional issues, it’s up to you to schedule an appointment with a therapist to explore what might help you. To find someone in your area, go to the APA’s Psychologist Locator at locator.apa.org. And to discover the power of a posse and a purpose to improve your mood, visit LongevityPlaybook.com and iHerb.com/blog/mental-health.
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Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world’s leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively.
(c)2024 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
