5 Medical Tests Your Parents Should Do As They Age

As one ages, several health problems start sneaking in. Those “little” symptoms that people usually shrug off could be an early sign of something serious. This is why, once past 50, people should get the necessary medical tests done regularly to rule out any possible health conditions. Cautious and preventive measures like this can help diagnose any medical problem early. The sooner the diagnosis, the more effective the treatment could be.

In that context, as your parents get old, here are 5 medical tests you should encourage them to get done:

1. HbA1C

In 2018, 10 percent of the American population had (diagnosed and undiagnosed) diabetes. Could your parents be one of them? There’s only one way to find out. Get the medical test done. There are more than one tests to measure blood glucose levels. Hemoglobin A1C is a reliable diagnostic test that measures the average blood sugar level of the past 2-3 months. It delivers a more telling number that shows how people are keeping their blood sugar level in control.

2. Mammography

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. Mammography is a standard test that helps diagnose early signs of breast cancer. Google “lab test near me”, find a good clinic, and get your mother to do this test. Ideally, women at average risk of breast cancer should get mammograms every year after crossing the age of 45. The test should be done every other year once she crosses 55 years of age.

3. Lipid Profile

High cholesterol can result in various other health problems. It increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. This is why it’s so important to keep a check on HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol). Lipid profile, which is a type of blood test, will help quantify the cholesterol level of your parents. Make sure the level is within the normal range.

4. Echocardiography

One person dies every 36 seconds in the US because of cardiovascular disease. Diseased vessels, blood clots, and other heart conditions increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Ensure your parents’ hearts are fit and healthy. Echocardiography is an ultrasound of the heart, which provides more information about the heart’s rhythm. It helps see how blood moves through the heart.

5. Liver Function Tests

As people age, owing to the aging process, their organs fail to perform at the optimal level. Liver problems are common among old people; especially among those who have diabetes, hypertension, or have a family history of renal diseases. Liver function tests are a group of tests that commonly includes ALT, ALP, AST, Albumin, and Bilirubin. Liver tests help determine whether the person’s liver is performing well or not.
These are five tests you should encourage your parents to get done.

Ensure they get tested and are on the safer side of the rope. If there’s anything wrong, such tests can reveal a lot, thereby ensuring that an appropriate treatment course can be pursued.

Note also, depending on your parents’ existing health condition, they may require to get more tests done as well. Consult a doctor and they would recommend better which medical tests would be more fitting for your parents. Search “primary care clinics near me” and connect with an experienced doctor.

Please follow and like us:

Tags: blood test lab near me, lab test near me, laboratory near me, medical labs, medical labs near me, primary care clinic, primary care clinics near me, primary care near me, primary health care clinic, primary health services