This article compiles essential information about annual health checkups for individuals aged 19 to 60 and older, outlining which tests are necessary and how to prepare for blood draws to effectively prevent and treat chronic diseases.
Annual health checkups are not just about detecting illness when symptoms appear; they serve as a valuable "shield" that helps us plan early responses to health issues, especially silent conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or cancer. Early detection significantly improves chances of successful treatment. Let's review the essential tests by age group and how to prepare for them.
Today, annual health checkups are very important because certain diseases can be prevented and treated, such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke (hemiplegia or paralysis), and coronary artery disease, which can be avoided by managing chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
An annual health checkup refers to an examination of individuals without symptoms or signs of illness, aimed at identifying risk factors, abnormalities, or diseases. This enables prevention measures such as lifestyle changes, health promotion, or early treatment.
It also includes health evaluations for patients consulting doctors for symptoms or abnormalities and for those with chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension to detect related complications.
Necessary and appropriate health checks focus on interviewing health-related history and physical exams. Laboratory tests are performed only if evidence shows they are beneficial and cost-effective for detecting diseases and risk factors, leading to prevention, health promotion, and proper treatment.
To make health screenings effective and targeted, doctors recommend the following basic tests:
This assesses changes in an individual's health status. Blood pressure should be checked at least once a year because hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, stroke (hemiplegia or paralysis), chronic kidney disease, and more. Early detection and treatment of hypertension can reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
These measurements help evaluate general conditions such as nutritional status, including body mass index, which is a risk factor for chronic diseases common among working-age adults, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
Discussing health history and performing a basic physical exam help doctors more accurately assess individual risks.
Maintaining good oral health is important because infections in the mouth can spread to other body parts. Adults aged 18 and above should have dental checkups annually.
Given that people spend about 8-10 hours daily using computers and smartphones, prolonged eye use can cause issues. Eye exams to screen for conditions like glaucoma are recommended every 2 years for ages 40 to 65.
This assessment suits Thai adults aged 35-70 without cardiovascular disease. It estimates the risk of death from coronary artery disease and stroke over the next 10 years. It can be used without blood lipid results, relying only on waist circumference and height.
The 2-question depression screening tool is effective for community use due to its brevity and high sensitivity. Answering "yes" to either question indicates possible depression, with high specificity if both are "yes."
Depression screening helps early prevention and treatment and should be done annually to monitor mental health.
Therefore, "health checkups" are important for all ages as they help prevent chronic diseases or allow early treatment for cure. Regular annual checkups are recommended.
Information from Associate Professor Dr. Thanet Kansan, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University.