Health Check Ups

I recently turned 40(!) and that’s overlapped with some health struggles. Because of that I’m in the process of a few health checks, and that got me thinking. Why do we so often wait until there’s a problem or struggle to check in with ourselves?

I wonder, were we ever taught or encouraged as young people/ young adults to be proactive with health. All the messaging I remember was always about ‘getting better’ when you’re unwell. Not keeping yourself well.

If you’re unfit try couch to 5k. If you’re diets bad, try to have 5-a-day. If you’re sad, don’t be. I’m sure there was slightly more informed messaging, campaigns and education in the 90’s, 2000’s and even 2010's (I certainly hope so); I just don’t remember it.

So here at 40 I’m still carrying stresses, strains, worries and issues that it would definitely have been better to work on decades ago. Plus I do carry that frustrating mindset of ‘just carry on’. Which has occasionally, but very rarely, been helpful for me.

What’s happening now? Well, I’m reflecting on health checks that are helpful to have at milestone moments. Each person is different, but I'm thinking it would be good to have these check ups every 5-10 years. I'm no medical person, but being informed on our health and wellbeing seems kinda important. Like many things, this feels like it's just left until theres a problem. There's funding for somethings, but rarely health or education it seems.

Cardiovascular Checks

Blood Pressure Check (Hypertension Risk): 

This check is to identify high blood pressure, a silent threat that damages arteries and increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Cholesterol Test: 

A blood test that identifies the levels of LDL (“bad”) and HDL (“good”) cholesterol, key indicators of plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) risk. 

Testicular Examination: 

Self-awareness is key. You should be checking for any masses, lumps, or changes monthly. 

Metabolic & Hormonal

Diabetes Checkup: 

This blood test measures your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. 

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): 

A single blood test that provides a snapshot of your current liver and kidney function, as well as your body’s chemical balance.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Test: 

Check if your thyroid is over- or under-active. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, energy, and mood. 

Maintaining Function and Quality of Life

Eye Exam: 

Screens for vision problems, and checks for serious conditions like glaucoma and systemic diseases (like diabetes) detectable through the retina. 

Hearing Exam:

A hearing test is done to check for hearing problems such as hearing loss.

Dental and Oral Checkup: 

Regular cleanings and doctor exams protect your teeth, gums, and check for early signs of oral cancer. Gum health is also strongly linked to heart health. 

Reflections

There are other health checks too, and again I am not an expert, so definitely check with your GP or Pharmacist. For me these examinations help to provide a more informed assessment of our health and potential wellbeing.

What I have found interesting is a physical health check up (consisting of most of these) is possible, but a mental health checkup doesn’t seem to be a thing; unless you access private healthcare.

A physical health checkup, my recent one at least, involved discussing my measurements (weight and height), work behaviours, home life, physical activity, leisure activities, any use of substances or medications, blood pressure, hear rate and blood tests. These all provided that wider, more informed picture of my health.

July was a lot for me, and that's to be reflected on another time. So this is a combination of reflections and ramblings. For now, I am thinking how valuable having these checks and discussions have been over the last 3 weeks. How valuable the NHS is, and unfortunately how often we are pushed into private services, because health, espcially mental health, is just not a thing that's correctly funded or funded well enough to be accessible; a multiple year wait for checks and tests is not accessible.

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