Most of us visit hospitals only when we face health issues. We mostly associate sickness with old age and start planning for our health related funds only when we cross 40 years of age. With Senior Citizens Day being celebrated across the world this Sunday, we decided to highlight the importance of certain medical tests that need to be taken by 50+ people every now and then.
These days the need to be fit and healthy is prevalent across all ages and one can see a lot of people over the age of 50 making the extra effort to keep themselves on the fitness track. Although exercising is a healthy option it doesn’t always protect you from having health issues. For this reason, we decided to throw some light on some of the medical tests that have to be mandatorily taken up by senior citizens. When it comes to medical tests, all of us wonder how and where to start. The development in the field of medicine has increased exponentially and each field is swarmed with multiple lab tests. We often get lost in the series of tests prescribed by doctors. Although these tests have become life savers and have successfully increased the average life span of human beings, they can be quite confusing if not explained properly.
Here we have listed 7 health tests that have to be taken up by people over the age of 50:

1. Cholesterol tests: Tiny globules of fat that run in your bloodstream and are carried around your body, constitute Cholesterol. The onset of cholesterol increases the risk of heart diseases by blocking your arteries. For this reason, it is always good to keep your HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides at check.

2. Blood pressure checks: A lot of old people can be seen suffering from blood pressure. It can be either high or low but the ideal stands at 120/80 mm Hg. By maintaining normal blood pressure, you can ward off kidney disease, heart diseases and stroke.

3. Eye tests: An eye test not only tells you if you need glasses or not, it can also detect a number of conditions well in advance if you take them up periodically. People especially above the age of 50 may develop cataracts which have to be surgically removed by a qualified physician. Reading glasses are being commonly used by people over the age of 40. Your job doesn’t stop after you buy a reading glass. You need to check for variations in power and change your lenses accordingly.

4. Thyroid tests: This test is especially mandatory for women over the age of 50 because women of this age have high chances of developing an overactive or an underactive thyroid. When your thyroid produces more hormone than the body needs, your metabolism goes into an overdrive mode. Symptoms can include hand tremors and rapid or irregular heartbeat, leading to serious cardiac problems. Too much thyroid hormone can also leech away calcium in bones, leading to osteoporosis. Clues to the possibility of hypothyroidism include a positive family history of thyroid disease, past treatment for hyperthyroidism, or a history of extensive surgery and/or radiotherapy to the neck. Symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism may include weight gain, sleepiness, dry skin, and constipation, but lack of these symptoms does not rule out the diagnosis and hence it is mandatory to do thyroid tests periodically.

5. Diabetes: Diabetes is a very common disease across age groups and it mostly occurs because of genetics or lifestyle changes. Usually people having a blood pressure of above 135/80 mm Hg are at a higher risk of getting diabetes. Also, it is important for old people to take care of their feet and protect themselves from hurting their feet since diabetes can cause gangrene after injuries which if not taken care of can force you to get your feet amputated because of a severe infection. Never walk barefoot.

6. Colorectal Cancer Screening: Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in men and women. If you have celebrated your 50th birthday and haven’t done this test yet, it is time now. You should get it screened earlier if you have a family history.

References:

http://www.today.com/parents/want-be-healthy-over-50-get-these-tests-exams-2D80555198

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/MensHealthNews/story?id=8083450