What are the annual medical check-ups we should have?

General medical checkups are oriented to evaluate your health status and prevent some pathologies associated with your type of work, age, lifestyle, and personal and family medical history.

With this information, doctors can generate recommendations, and if necessary, some treatment or intervention in a timely manner.

Dr. Mariela Castro, general practitioner, advises both men and women between the ages of 18 and 40 to undergo the following tests on an annual basis:

1. Hemogram: to know if there is anemia, the state of the defenses, and platelets.
2. Lipid profile: provides a clear picture of cholesterol and triglyceride parameters.
3. Fasting blood sugar: assesses how the blood sugar rises in the morning.
4. General urine: gives information on urinary tract infections, among others.
5. Stool: provides information about parasites, infections, etc.
6. Electrocardiogram: " a picture of our heart", as I tell my patients.
7. Additionally, depending on the medical condition, or what is observed in the initial examinations, the physician may request: tests of:

Renal function, liver function, thyroid, sexually transmitted diseases, uric acid, and/or abdominal ultrasound.

Now, women should have an annual Pap smear, once they start their sexually active life. "This is mainly due to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)," added Dr. Castro.

Also, remember to perform breast self-examination, periodically, after the monthly cycle. And if the woman is over 40 years old, or has a family history of breast cancer, mammography and breast ultrasound should be performed once a year.

With regard to the male population, Dr. Castro reminded those over 40 years of age to have an annual laboratory record of prostate antigen and urological control. At the age of 50, examinations such as gastro colonoscopy and densitometry can be added.

"It is important to mention that if the person presents abdominal pain, constant burning in the pit of the stomach, and diarrhea, they should be checked before the age of 50, since the routine exams are related to the prevailing symptoms," explained Dr. Castro.

Other exams that should be considered, within the medical check-up, are:

1. Dental examination (at least once a year).
2. Stress test
3. X-rays and ultrasounds
4. Nutritional control
5. Eye exam

Quality of life depends on good health and early tests are a guarantee to anticipate problems.

You can review all this information through the following video: