Women's Health: 5 Reasons to Get a Yearly Check-Up

5 Reasons For Women's Health Check-Up Yearly

Women are advised to receive regular health check-ups so that doctors can look for any possible medical conditions that should be treated. An annual check-up should be on every woman’s to-do list, and committing to receiving yearly exams can help health care professionals identify certain medical conditions that may not be showing any symptoms but could cause major health problems if left untreated. Here are five good reasons for women to get yearly check-ups.

1. Early Cancer Detection

Many forms of cancer can go unnoticed in their early stages if they don’t show obvious symptoms, and a qualified health care provider can perform examinations and other tests to look for evidence of disease. Many women are advised to receive annual mammograms to check for lumps and other abnormalities in the breast tissue that could indicate the presence of breast cancer. A cervical cancer screening, which may include a Pap smear test, can also be performed for any woman who’s sexually active. Annual exams can be good for women who want their doctors to check for signs of skin cancer. Women who are at increased risk for ovarian cancer may additionally consider getting screened annually.

2. Blood Pressure Check

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is another medical condition that can often go unnoticed while still causing damaging effects. Having high blood pressure increases a woman’s chances of having a heart attack or stroke. Low pressure can often cause feelings of weakness and may indicate an underlying problem with heartbeat rhythm (arrhythmia). Blood pressure checks are regular health screenings that physicians for women perform during yearly health check-ups to determine if a woman’s blood pressure is too high or low. A blood pressure reading can be taken with a cuff that’s wrapped around the arm for a few seconds to gauge blood pressure levels. Abnormal blood pressure levels can usually be treated with medication, but the doctor may want to perform additional tests if a serious problem that’s causing the abnormal blood pressure is suspected.

3. Respiratory Rate Check

Breathing is an automatic action of the body that many women take for granted, but there could be problems with a woman’s breathing that could indicate an underlying health concern. A healthy adult takes 12 to 16 breaths per minute on average. If more than 20 breaths are taken in a minute, the doctor will likely check the heart and lungs for any underlying problems. Wheezing, grunting, or crying sounds that the doctor notices when a woman breathes could be other symptoms of a chronic breathing problem. The doctor may also look to see if a woman’s nostrils are flaring each time that she takes a breath, as this could be another indicator of a breathing problem.

4. Body Mass Index Screening

A body mass index screening can determine if a woman is considered to be overweight by medical standards. Obesity increases risks for diabetes, cancer, and other serious health problems, and an annual body mass index screening can help a woman stay within her ideal weight range. The results from the screening can also be used for women to make the dietary and fitness changes that are necessary to reach an ideal weight. Some women are determined to be underweight when getting body mass index screenings, and having too little fat on the body can make women more susceptible to osteoporosis, decreased immunity, and infertility. The body mass index is determined by calculating a woman’s current weight and height, and women should ideally have a reading between 18.5 and 24.9.

5. Blood Glucose Reading

A blood sample can be taken during an annual exam to check a woman’s blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. Blood glucose levels that are too high could mean that a woman has diabetes while levels that are too low may mean that she’s suffering from hypoglycemia. Doctors can often treat blood glucose irregularities with medications and by recommending changes to women’s diets. If diabetes is the cause, additional medication and lifestyle modifications along with regular blood glucose checks may be needed to treat or manage the condition better.

Getting the recommended health check-ups every year can help women stay healthy throughout their lives. If any medical problems are discovered during these examinations, doctors can often take measures to treat the conditions and improve women’s health.