Regular Health Checks Can Save Life.

Your body is an efficient system of organs built to a design that is beyond the skill of humans, so it is worth looking after it. You will be repaid a hundredfold if you take a bit of time and trouble to prevent things going wrong, and if you deal with them early, should they go wrong. In this way you will be making the most of yourself, you will look better, and you will certainly feel better. As a bonus, you will be healthier.

Having regular examinations to detect possible disease at an early, curable stage is a component of preventive healthcare.
Many diseases can be detected by screening. High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, breast cancer and cervical cancer are the commonest screening tests are widely accepted.

Untreated high blood pressure reduces life expectancy because of an increased risk of stroke of heart disease. Anyone over the age of 45, especially men, should see their doctor once a year to have it checked. There is also growing interest in measuring blood cholesterol – high levels may mean an increased risk of heart disease.

There are certain simple checks that we should do at home to try and pick up diseases at an early stage when chances of a complete cure, or control, are high.

All women should examine their breasts every month, at the same time in their menstrual cycle, to search for lumps. They should also have cervical (pap) smears at least once a year.

Men, too, should examine their testes monthly to feel for swelling or heaviness that may indicate testicular cancer (the commonest cancer in men under 40).

Are we becoming neurotic, thinking and talking so much about our health? Certainly there is evidence that some people worry unnecessarily about their health, but most doctors believe that the advantages of regular medical checkups far outweigh the disadvantages.

Regular self-examination can protect you against a wide range of ailments. As the person most familiar with your body, you are best qualified to notice any change that might indicate something is wrong. Very often, it will be nothing serious. Even so, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should consult your doctor without delay.

Early warning signs of possible serious illness

• Rapid weight loss - more than 4kg in ten weeks – without apparent cause.

• A sore, scab or ulcer, either in the mouth or on the body, that fails to heal within three weeks.

• A skin blemish or mole that starts to bleed or itch or changes colour, size or shape in middle age.

• Severe, persistent headaches that develop for no obvious reason.

• Sudden attacks of vomiting without preceding nausea.

• Failing spells for no apparent reason.

• Visual problems such as seeing flashing lights or floating spots. Blurred vision, especially in dim light.

• Increasing difficulty in swallowing.

• Hoarseness that is recurrent or lasts without apparent cause for more than two weeks.

• A persistent smoker’s cough or any cough that has progressively been getting more severe.

• Blood in coughed-up sputum.

• Constantly swollen ankles.

• Extreme shortness of breath for no apparent reason.

• Vomiting of blood or black or dark brown matter that resembles coffee granules.

• Persistent indigestion or abdominal pain.

• A marked change in normal bowel habits.

• Rectal bleeding.

• Cloudy pink, red or smoky-brown urine

In Women:

A lump (or any unusual thickening) in a breast; alteration in breast shape (flattening or bulging); or change in breast skin (wrinkling or dimpling).

Bleeding or discharge from a nipple.

Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting that occurs between menses or at any time after menopause.

In Men:

A discharge from the penis.

Discomfort when passing urine.