Health Desk. With increasing age, many changes start taking place in the body of women. Especially around the age of 45, hormonal changes, bone weakness and the risk of some diseases can increase. In such a situation, it becomes necessary to have regular health checkups. There are some tests which can help in detecting health related problems at an early stage.
1. Blood pressure and blood sugar test
Regular checking of blood pressure and blood sugar is important after the age of 45. High blood pressure and diabetes sometimes do not give obvious symptoms in the beginning. Any abnormality can be detected quickly by getting checked from time to time.
2. Cholesterol Test
Increasing cholesterol can increase the risk of problems related to heart and blood vessels. Information about different levels of cholesterol in the body is obtained through lipid profile test. Doctors may recommend testing depending on age and other risk factors.
3. Mammogram
Breast cancer screening is extremely important for women. Mammogram can help in detecting some abnormal changes in the breast at an early stage. It is advisable to discuss the screening schedule with the doctor regarding this at the age of 45.
4. Cervical Cancer Screening
Pap test and HPV test are used to screen for cervical cancer. At what age, which test should be done and at what interval, it depends on the woman's age, previous reports and doctor's advice.
5. Examination of bones
Women may be at increased risk of low bone density around menopause. If needed, the doctor may recommend a bone mineral density (BMD/DEXA) test. This helps in assessing bone strength and understanding the risk of osteoporosis.
Do not be careless about investigation
It is not necessary for every woman to get all the tests done at the same time or for the same duration. The need for testing may vary depending on family history, weight, lifestyle, pre-existing risks and previous reports. Therefore, it is better to get a personalized screening plan made from the doctor for regular health checkups after the age of 45.