Health checks at different life stages

Health checks at different life stages

"Keeping on track with your health should start with you. Establishing good health habits as early in life as possible means that you may enjoy a longer, healthier, happier life. And by getting the right health checks at the right time, you can work with your health care team to make sure you find and, if possible, prevent the effects of any health problems that you might encounter throughout the different stages of your life." Dr Christine Bennett, Chief Medical Officer, Bupa Australia.

What is a health check?

From the moment we are born, and even before, we undergo a variety of tests to ensure we are on the right track to good health. As we get older, many of us become more vulnerable to illness. In order to reduce this risk, a number of health checks or screening tests are recommended for different stages of our lives.

Why is a health check important?

The aim of a health check is to help find, prevent or lessen the effect of disease. It's sort of like getting your car serviced before it breaks down - after all, it is better to avoid disease altogether than to treat it. Although some checks can be uncomfortable, they provide your doctor or specialist with an opportunity to look at your lifestyle, medical history and family history to find out if you are at risk.

Having a regular doctor or practice for all your health checks has several advantages. Most importantly, you will build a relationship over time and are more likely to feel comfortable talking openly. Similarly, your doctor will get to know you and understand your health needs and concerns. By having a regular doctor or practice, your medical history stays in the one place, and is more likely to be kept up to date.

What does a health check usually involve?

Although some checks can be uncomfortable, they provide your doctor or specialist with an opportunity to look at your lifestyle, medical history and family history to find out if you are at risk. A health check will generally involve:

• Updating your medical history and examining your health issues

• Performing tests if required

• A follow up of any problems identified

• Advice and information on how to improve your health.

What regular health checks should we have at different life stages?

There are a number of health checks recommended for different stages of life. Click below to see what health checks we should have and why.

• Health checks for pre-conception & pregnancy

• Health checks for newborns and children

• Health checks in your 20s and 30s

• Health checks in your 40s

• Health checks in your 50s and later

Health checks for pre-conception & pregnancy

Pregnancy is a major life event and places many demands on a woman's body.1 The preconception period is generally considered to be the three months prior to pregnancy. This is an ideal time to undergo a health check as making changes to one's life at this time can help reduce problems during pregnancy and assist in recovery from birth.(1) According to the NSW Medications in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Service from the Royal Women's Hospital2, important health checks before pregnancy include:

• Dental check

Carried out by: Dentist or oral hygienist

Why: Poor dental health can affect not only our teeth and gums bu also lead to problems like malnutrition and infections in other parts of our bodies. Regular annual dental check-ups are therefore important. But, X-rays are not recommended during pregnancy3 so having a dental check before you are pregnant is a good idea.

• Immunisations2

Carried out by:Arranged by your GP

Why: When planning a pregnancy, you should know your vaccination status and immunity. A simple blood test can reveal whether you have had immunisations and are immune to infections that may be harmful to a pregnancy such as rubella, varicella (chicken pox) and influenza.

• General health and blood tests2

Carried out by: Arranged by your GP

Why: Your general health is important to assess since any problems may be resolved before falling pregnant. You may have blood tests to check for thyroid function, blood sugar levels, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a full blood count to check your iron and folate levels. Your doctor can help you determine what checks might be right for you.

• During pregnancy

Pregnancy is a major life event and places many demands on a woman's body.1 Several different health checks may be available to you during pregnancy, including abdominal palpitations, ultrasounds, maternal serum screening test (MSS) and amniocentesis just to name a few. Make sure to check with your doctor or gynaecologist on which tests you might need.

Health checks for newborns and children

Australian guidelines recommend health checks at birth, 1-4 weeks, 6-8 weeks, 6-8 months, 18 months, 2½ -3½ years and 4-5 years. These regular visits to your doctor give you an opportunity to raise and discuss any aspects of caring for your child and your child's health and development.4

• For newborns:

Every newborn in Australia is offered a blood test to check for the presence of particular metabolic or genetic disorders including phenylketonuria (PKU), hypothyroidism and cystic fibrosis.5 A newborn's height, weight and head circumference are also measured.

• For children:

Regular health and development checks are recommended for all young children to ensure that they are growing and developing normally, and to manage any health problems early on. These checks can be carried out by a doctor or a community child health nurse. As children grow older, health checks may involve assessing their:

• Hearing, vision

• Fine motor skills

• Language

• Social skills

• Family dynamics

• Nutrition

• Physical activity

• Childhood Immunisations:

Immunisation from an early age is highly recommended for all Australian children, as it offers protection against the most serious childhood infections6. The National Immunisation Program describes the routine childhood immunisations recommended for children in Australia,7 and the schedule coincides with routine childhood health check guidelines.

Health checks in your 20s and 30s

Health checks in your 20s and 30s(Ref 8-12)

Many young people find it difficult to access health care, and once there, to raise important health care issues with their doctor.8 You're in the prime of your life and the last thing on your mind is health problems. That is exactly why health checks are so important. Important health checks at this stage of your life include:

• Blood pressure

Carried out by: GP

Frequency: At least every two years.

Why: High blood pressure has no symptoms. It is a major risk factor for stroke, heart disease and heart failure. If the heart has to pump against a higher pressure over many years it can lead to weakness of the wall of the heart. High blood pressure can also lead to eye and kidney damage.

• Cholesterol and glucose levels

Carried out by: GP

Frequency: Every two to five years.

Why: High blood levels of cholesterol and/or glucose contribute to your risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Particularly as you reach the latter half of your thirties, the effects of unhealthy behaviours such as smoking and poor diet can start to show. If you are overweight, have polycystic ovary syndrome, have a family history of heart disease of type 2 diabetes, you should have your cholesterol and blood sugar levels checked more frequently. A total cholesterol of under 5.5 mmol/L is ideal.

• Pap smears & pelvic exams

Carried out by: GP

Frequency: Every two years or more frequently if your doctor advises you to do so due to previous abnormalities or conditions.

Why: Women over the age of 18 who have ever had sex should have regular pap tests. This test detects changes to cells in the cervix before they develop into cervical cancer. The cervical cancer vaccine does not replace the need for a pap test because the vaccine does not protect you against all cancer-causing types of the human papilloma virus. A pelvic examination can detect abnormalities in the ovaries and uterus. Your early 20s is a good time to find a gynaecologist you like and stick with them.

• Dental check and cleaning

Carried out by: Dentist or oral hygienist

Frequency: Every 12 months.

Why: We all know that we should floss, brush twice a day and limit sugary foods. But did you know, poor dental health can affect not only our teeth and gums but also lead to problems like malnutrition and infections in other parts of our bodies. This is why regular preventative dental check-ups are important. See your dentist as soon as possible if you have a toothache, bleeding gums or dental trauma and make sure to book in your annual check-ups.

• Skin cancer check

Carried out by: GP or dermatologist

Frequency: Self check for 15 minutes every month and annually with a doctor.

Why: 95 per cent of skin cancers are treatable if they are detected early9. Regular checks of your skin should detect any suspicious lumps or spots as early as possible and you are more likely to notice any changes if you get to know your skin. Pay particular attention to your arms, legs, face, back, neck, shoulders and backs of your hands and see your doctor if there are any changes.

• Sexually transmitted

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