Women’s health is crucial to the well-being of families and society at large. Yet, many women neglect their own health because they’re too busy. Regular annual health check-ups are essential for detecting and preventing serious illnesses as early as possible. This includes cancer, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. The annual health check-up offers a comprehensive assessment of your health, including blood tests, urine tests, weight management strategies, reproductive health checks, and screenings for conditions like cervical and breast cancer. Cardiac health is assessed through tests like the ECG and the treadmill stress test. During the annual health check-up, the bones, eyes and teeth are also checked. By staying proactive in managing their health, women can maintain a healthy life, excel at work, reduce their stress and be better functioning members of society!
Women are the backbone of the society. Mothers, sisters, wives – women are the primary caregivers in most households. They are often too busy caring for their families and focusing on building successful careers to take time out to care for their health. They tend to be chronically stressed on multiple fronts and ignore their illnesses. For the overall well-being of women, they need preventive check-ups to address the risk of health concerns early, before they get critical.
Annual health check-ups are necessary to maintain good health. They benefit women by providing timely medical treatment to illnesses, helping the patient recover faster and better. At annual health check-ups, family physician will perform screening tests for serious diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Most women do not keep tabs on their reproductive health. Annual health check-ups are an opportunity to check your menstrual health, fertility and any other reproductive health concerns you may have. Getting this routine health check-up can give you an idea of how you need to change your lifestyle to be healthier. An annual health check-up with your doctor is a safe space, so this is a good opportunity to ask questions and get educated answers from a trustworthy source. Having regular assurance that your physical health is doing well can also have a good impact on your mental health. In the subsequent sections of this article, we will go through the various parts of an annual health checkup and how they are beneficial.
Simple blood and urine tests can paint a fairly detailed picture of your health. They can give us information on your heart health, your liver, your kidneys and your thyroid, whether you are at risk of diabetes, etc. Typically, a full blood panel is performed. This includes tests for blood sugar, blood cholesterol, blood pressure, thyroid levels, vitamin levels, iron levels, WBC count, RBC count, etc. In addition to this, liver function tests and kidney function tests are also performed. Blood and urine tests can also be used to test for potential infections. They give us pointers into which aspects of your health need to be investigated further.
Your weight is also a good indicator for a doctor with respect to your overall health. The doctor will be able to check if you are at a healthy weight for your height. The doctor will also be able to check your body fat percentage and fat distribution, and gauge if you are healthy. A lot of fat on the abdomen, around key organs, could be a red flag. Many women suffer from being overweight or underweight. This could be due to lifestyle factors or hormonal issues. The family physician can help figure out the underlying cause and advise you on how best to maintain a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight will reduce your risk of knee pain, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension as well as issues with reproductive health. Weight and its associated problems also have an effect on mental health. Maintaining a healthy weight can help women function well and feel good.
At the annual health check-up, the gynecologist will perform tests appropriate to your age and your health goals; for example, if you are trying to get pregnant or dealing with menopause, you will be advised on suitable tests. A cervical cancer screening, called a pap smear, is done for women between the ages of 21 and 65. This test gives doctors important information about whether cancer or precancerous cells are present in the cervix. This information allows them to provide preventative treatment or early-stage treatment resulting in better outcomes. Breast cancer screening is also done for women above 40, as part of the annual health check-up. A physical examination and a mammogram should be done annually. We also recommend that women perform self-checks of their breast tissue once a month. Patients will be taught how to perform the self-checks and will be educated on the signs to lookout for at the annual health check-up.
The abdominal ultrasound is an important test performed during the annual health check-up. The ultrasound technician will ask you to prepare for this test by drinking a lot of water, as the bladder needs to be full. The abdominal ultrasound gives us information on the liver, kidneys, intestines, uterus, ovaries and other abdominal organs. It can detect any structural changes, inflammation, tumours, cysts or internal injuries to these organs. Abdominal ultrasounds can also help diagnose reproductive health issues like PCOD. It is safe to perform regular ultrasound scans on a patient, as it produces no ionizing radiation.
As part of your cardiac screenings, your doctor will perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a treadmill test. The ECG is one of the quickest tests to evaluate the condition of your heart. Electrodes are stuck to your torso, arms and legs at specific spots. These electrodes will be connected to the ECG machine using wires. The ECG machine then measures the natural electrical signals in your heart muscle. A normal ECG is done at rest, i.e., you are sitting or lying down and the heart is in a relaxed state. The treadmill test is a variation of the ECG, which is done while your heart is active. The electrodes are again placed on the body, and you will be asked to walk on the treadmill. The idea is to measure the electrical changes that occur in the heart during strenuous activity, when the heart rate is elevated.
Along with all the vital organs, doctors also check on your bones, teeth and eyes during an annual health check-up. Bone density tends to deteriorate in women as they get older. This can lead to osteoporosis. Small falls and accidents can also lead to disproportionate injuries like fractures if the bones are weak and brittle. During the annual health check-up, your doctor will analyze the health of your bones and recommend dietary changes or medical supplements to keep your bones strong and healthy.
A general dental check-up is performed to identify cavities or enamel wear-and-tear. An eye check-up is done to test your vision. You will also have consultations with the doctors. This is a space for you to bring up any concerns you may have in these areas.
If you aren’t in the practice of getting an annual health check-up, this is your cue. Your health is vital to your happiness. Don’t neglect it. Schedule your annual health check-up with a family physician at one of our branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy today!
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801
