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Women's Health
by Becky Easterling, MD
The following is a suggested screening schedule every healthy woman should follow. Your doctor may recommend a different screening schedule depending on your health history:
Blood Pressure
This is usually taken at every visit and should be checked at least
once every 1-2 years after age 18. High blood pressure increases your
risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Maintaining a healthy
weight, exercising regularly and consuming a healthy diet will help keep
your blood pressure under control. Two or more readings at or above 140/90
is considered high blood pressure or hypertension.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is divided into
total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol and high density lipoprotein
(HDL) or "good" cholesterol. High levels of total cholesterol,
triglycerides and LDL cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease
and stroke. You should have this simple blood test every 5 years. Talk
to your doctor about what your levels should be. A healthy diet and regular
exercise can help lower your cholesterol.
Body Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is important in the prevention of many
diseases.
Self Breast Exam and Mammograms
Every woman should do self breast exams once a month. Talk to your doctor
about how to do them. You should look for differences in size, color,
and texture and you should feel both your breasts and armpits for any
lumps. A mammogram should be done at age 40 and every 1-2 years after
as recommended by your doctor. If you have a family history of breast
cancer your doctor may recommend a baseline mammogram at age 35.
Pap Smear
This test removes some cells from your cervix to look for pre-cancerous
and cancerous cells. Your first one should be at 18 or when you become
sexually active and should be done every 1-2 years. If you have had a
hysterectomy, talk to your doctor about your need and frequency of pap
smears.
Colorectal Screening
There are 3 different ways to screen for colon cancer depending on your
age. The simplest test is the fecal occult blood test done in the office.
Your doctor takes a small stool sample and tests it for blood. This should
be done every 10 years until age 40 when you should have it every year.
At age 40 you should do 3 hemmocult testing every year as well. At age
50 it is recommended that you have a flexible sigmoidoscopy done every
3-5 years depending on your risk factors.
Bone Density Testing or DEXA Scanning
This tests your bone thickness to determine if you have osteoporosis
or osteopenia which is a precursor to osteoporosis. Low bone density
can increase your fisk for fractures. It is a simple x-ray of your forearm,
hip and spine. Depending on your results, your doctor may recommend medication
to help slow bone loss. Calcium with vitamin D and regular exercise can
help keep your bones healthy.
For more information on this topic: |
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Wellness / General
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