General Medical Checkup Check List, When, and How Often Topic Guide

Osteoporosis (or porous bone) is a disease in which bones become weak and are more likely to break. Bone mineral density tests are used to diagnose osteoporosis, which check the strength and solidness of the bones. You should have a bone mineral density test when you are over age 65, had early menopause, low body weight, long-term corticosteroid therapy, chronic disorders (anorexia nervosa or liver disease), previous broken bones with minimal trauma, poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking.

The breast generally refers to the chest, however, more specifically, to the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a milk producing gland comprised largely of fat. Within the mammary gland is a complex network of branching ducts. The ducts exit from sac-like structures called lobules, which can produce milk in females. The darkened area around the nipple is called the areola. Common medical concerns in regard to the breast include breast lumps, breast cysts, breast cancer, and breast infections.

Breast cancer diagnosis includes screening methods, such as mammograms, clinical breast exams, MRIs, and breast self-exams, tissue biopsy, and specialized testing to look for tumor markers.

Vaccinations are some of the most important tools available for preventing disease. Most children get all their shots during childhood. Parents should consult their doctors about which vaccines their children should have and when. Keep track of your children's immunizations yourself.

Cholesterol tests measure the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. The test is also referred to as a lipoprotein profile or lipoprotein analysis. The test measures total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels in the blood. Few risks are associated with cholesterol tests.

Colonoscopy is a procedure used to view the inside of the colon. Reasons for colonoscopy is to detect or diagnose diseases of the colon, for example, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, other types of colitis, colon polyps, colon cancer, diverticulitis, and other bowel and rectal diseases. Risks for colonoscopy include colon perforation, infection, or bleeding.

Common health tests may be performed in your doctor's office or even in the pharmacy. Regular health checks and screening for certain diseases and conditions have become routine for most. Common health tests include a mammogram, cholesterol tests, and colonoscopy.

Complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most common blood tests. The complete blood count test provides valuable information about the quantity of the different types of cells in the blood. The major cells in the blood are red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Complete blood count can assist in diagnosing anemia, certain cancers, kidney problems, and allergic reactions.

Flu vaccines may be composed of weakened live flu viruses or killed viruses that protect a person from developing influenza once administered. Reactions to the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu nasal-spray vaccines and shots include headache, nasal congestion, low-grade fever, sore throat, and muscle cramps.

Gardasil-9 is the latest version of the vaccine against nine different strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). These strains of HPV causes genital warts and cervical cancers, among other conditions.

The H1N1 nasal spray vaccine 2009 is an attenuated (live virus) vaccine to prevent the H1N1 influenza (swine flu). There are certain groups of individuals who should not receive this vaccine.

A hematocrit blood test measures the portion of red blood cells in the blood. Normal values of hematocrit in the blood vary according to age, sex, pregnancy, altitude where a person lives, and vary slightly between testing methods. Causes of low hematocrit levels in the blood may be due to bleeding disorders, destruction of red blood cells, cancer, anemia, and overhydration. High hematocrit levels may be caused by dehydration, smoking, pulmonary conditions, COPD, sleep apnea, and polycythemia vera.

Hemoglobin A1c (hemoglobin A1c) is a test used at times to monitor blood glucose in people with diabetes. HbA1c is a long-term indicator of blood glucose control. This test also monitors the effects of diet, exercise, and drug therapy on the patient's blood glucose. The normal range for hemoglobin A1c is less than 6%. HbA1c cannot be used to monitor day-to-day blood glucose levels.

Homocysteine is an amino acid produced by the body, usually as a byproduct of consuming meat, fish or dairy. Elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood do not usually cause symptoms, but they raise the risk for heart disease like heart attack and stroke. The cause of high homocysteine levels is usually dietary deficiencies in vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid. Homocystinuria is a rare genetic condition in which homocysteine is excreted in the urine. Testing generally is done on the newborn if the disease runs in the family. Treatment to lower homocysteine levels is vitamin supplementation.

At least 45,000 adults in the United States die of complications of influenza, pneumococcal infections, and hepatitis B each year. Adults need the following vaccines: chickenpox, hepatitis B, MMR, Td/Tdap, flu, shingles, and pneumococcal.

Most immunizations are not required under International Health Requirements but are recommended. Anyone lacking certain region- or country-specific immunizations may be denied entry into or exit from a country.

Liver blood tests are used to check the levels and function of liver enzymes in the blood called AST and ALT or aminotransferases in the blood. Symptoms of elevated or high liver enzymes in the blood include fever, abdominal pain, poor appetite, itching, and nausea. Normal levels of liver enzymes in blood are caused by liver diseases caused by drugs, for example, acetaminophen (Tylenol), pain medications, and statins. Less common causes of abnormal levels of ALT or AST levels in the blood are alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver diseases (NASH), hepatitis, and alcoholism. Normal levels of ALT ranges from about 7-56 units/liter, and 10-40 units/liters for AST. Elevated (high) and low liver enzymes elevated levels of AST and ALT may signify the level of liver damage the person has. A blood sample is sent to the laboratory for measurement. Usually, you doctor will have the results interpreted within a few hours to days. Liver blood tests are used to check normal, elevated (high), and low blood levels of liver enzymes (AST and ALT or aminotransferases). Symptoms of elevated levels of liver enzymes are fever, abdominal pain, poor appetite, and nausea. Drugs, for example, acetaminophen (Tylenol), pain drugs, and statins caused high levels of liver enzymes. Less common causes are NASH, hepatitis, and alcoholism.

Mammogram is a special X-ray of the breast used to detect breast cancer early. There are few risks associated with mammography. Mammograms may show suspicious areas of the breast, white spots, and microcalcifications. Risk factors for breast cancer include age, genetic predisposition, family history, medical history, fibrocystic breast disease, therapeutic radiation exposure, menstrual cycle, previous pregnancies, hormone therapy for menopause, oral contraceptive use, breastfeeding, alcohol, smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity.

Men need to make sure that they are aware of their own special health needs. Learn various ways men can improve their health on topics like the lifestyle changes men can make to help prevent diseases, what medical screening tests should be performed as men age, men's sexual health, men's prostate health, erectile dysfunction, and low T (low testosterone in men).

A Pap smear test can detect certain viral infections that are known to cause cervical cancer. There are few risks during a Pap smear procedure. Types of abnormal Pap test results include atypical squamous cells; atypical grandular cells; endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ; low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion; high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. Pap smear is recommended even for women in menopause or who are postmenopausal.

The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test measures levels of a protein that may be elevated when a man has prostate cancer. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and American Urologic Association (AUA) have different recommendations regarding PSA screening depending on the age, health status, family history, and risk factors of a man. The change in PSA levels over time may be more useful for cancer screening than any one PSA value.