The fact is that an annual physical test should be a part of every woman’s life, so if you want to know what it includes and which steps you should take, just make sure to stay with us. Here are five essential steps you mustn’t overlook, so keep on reading and learn more about them!
Step 1: Mammogram
Apart from monthly breast self-exam, which is an absolute must no matter the age, you should also find another way of discovering some changes in your breast tissue early on. A mammogram screening is the most efficient way of detecting breast cancer, and it should definitely be an essential step in your annual physical exam. If you’re in your 40s, you should go for it once a year, while ladies older than 55 should have regular check-ups twice a year. This is particularly true if you have a history of breast cancer if your family, and especially if some of your female family members were diagnosed before the age of 40. If that’s the case, go for a mammogram screening even before you turn 40.
Step 2: Gynecologist
Seeing your gynecologist at least once a year is of the utmost importance as well, since the rates of cervical and ovarian cancer keep increasing at an alarming pace over the years. Your doctor will also do a breast exam to make sure that there aren’t some abnormal lumps, which can further help you learn to self-examine your breasts paying attention to even the tiniest bump or lump. A Pap test and HPV tests are also a part of the gynecological screening, and all of them will help your doctor assess the risk of cancer. A pelvic exam is another part of the examination, and your entire vaginal area will be examined – including uterus and ovaries.
Step 3: Eye check
Spending a lot of time in front of a computer, smartphone and TV inevitably takes a toll on your vision and eye health in general, which is exactly why you should see your ophthalmologist once a year as well. Impaired vision is a huge problem nowadays, when modern technologies are gaining momentum, so be sure to have your eyes checked as a third important step of your annual physical exam. If you want the best quality vision care and personalized eye care solutions, make sure to go for an eye test in Sydney. That way you will be able to detect conditions early, if there are any, and you will be provided with treatments and ongoing care at the same time. So, if you’ve noticed that you squint a lot in front of the monitor, go and check your vision ASAP!
Step 4: Check hormonal balance
Hormonal balance is one of the most important aspects of your overall health simply because hormones are responsible for alarming your body whenever you feel hungry, moody, sleepy, or stressed out. They tell you to eat or to stop eating, to feel nervous or to calm down, which is exactly why you need to keep them under control. There are so many factors that can trigger a hormonal imbalance, and the fact is that each imbalance shows its own symptoms. Besides that, most of them feature both external and internal symptoms, so be sure to listen to your body carefully to determine if there are any changes. For example, your progesterone levels tend to drop really fast as you age, which inevitably leads to estrogen dominance. It’s characterized by weight gain, acne breakouts, increased body and facial hair, water retention, sugar cravings, etc., and it can also kick you into early menopause. If you recognize any of these symptoms be sure to check your hormone levels as soon as possible. Even if everything seems alright, it’s always a good idea to check them annually, so that you have an insight into your health. Remember – only a balanced body is a healthy body!
Step 5: Blood tests
Last but not least, regular blood tests are crucial if you want to check your overall health. You’ll be able to get an insight into your cholesterol and blood sugar levels this way, and it’s recommended to go for a cholesterol screening between the ages of 20 and 45. If the levels are normal, you can do it again every five years. In case you didn’t know, too high cholesterol levels are likely to put you at a risk of stroke and heart attack, which is exactly why you need to check them regularly. On the other hand, high blood sugar can cause damage to your nerves, organs, blood, and vessels, and it can possibly lead to other serious conditions. The best way to keep it under control is to test your blood at least once a year!
Each of these five steps is vital when it comes to staying healthy, so be sure to take all of them every year in order to ensure that everything is alright with your body and to detect any potential problem early on. Once these are done, you can be sure that you did everything you could to keep your health and overall well-being under control!
About The Author
Mia Taylor is a fashion and beauty enthusiast from Sydney and writer for www.highstylife.com. She loves writing about her life experiences. Travelling and enjoying other cultures and their food with her husband is a big part of her life. She is always on the lookout for new trends in fashion and beauty and considers herself an expert when it comes to lifestyle tips.
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