Health is wealth BY RAI UMRAOPATI RAY

When was the last time you paid your doctor a visit for a routine health check up? Laments Dr. SP Byotra, Chairperson, Department of Medicine, Ganga Ram Hospital Delhi, "While regular health check ups are mostly mandatory in the West, sadly even the educated are ignorant of the importance of health check ups."

Every year, a substantial number of people lose their lives because they have illnesses that are already in the last stages when they finally get round to seeking medical aid. A yearly or half-yearly visit to the doctor should therefore become a regular part of our lives. Informs Byotra, "A health check up is nothing more than a complete physical examination by your doctor and includes certain tests depending upon your age, health history, and current symptoms if any. Today, almost every hospital has health packages as per your

requirement."

Here are some common health tests that should be undertaken...

15 to 25 years old: A complete physical examination at least once a year. Depending upon your symptoms and doctor’s advice — test for anaemia and obesity. Have a whole lipid profile done as well as a test for blood sugar (those having family history). The functioning of the eyes, ears, teeth and gums should be monitored.

25 to 39 years old: A complete physical examination at least once a year. Tests should be for cholesterol, blood sugar, lipid profile, kidney functions and obesity. Tests for this age group and onwards mostly depend upon clinical judgement and are thus tailor made. For instance, a woman having a stomach problem will be advised to go for an ultrasound.

40 to 50 years old: A complete physical examination at least once a year and in some cases half yearly. Blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, blood sugar, lipid profile, kidney functions, obesity and urine tests are advised to monitor various bodily functions. Tests like a pap smear to detect uterine and cervical cancers are recommended for women above 40 and over. Other tests like a mammography, ultrasound, thyroid functions, calcium level and bone mineral density can also be asked for by your doctor. Some cancer marker tests are also advised if required like a CAE for colon cancer and a CA125 for ovarian cancer. The functioning of the eyes, ears, teeth and gums should be monitored.

50 years and above: This is a very important age group when a complete body check up should be done yearly and in some cases more frequently. General tests include a complete blood haemo-gram, liver and kidney function test, HBA1C (sugar control indicator), lipid profile, sugar levels, ECG, X-rays, TMT, echocardiography, PSA test (prostrate cancer), cancer marker tests, diabetes and GTT etc. Since the health history of every individual is different, tests are advised according to a person’s particular needs.