As we step into 2024, a new year unfolds, signaling the time for my annual health checkup.
While teenagers and those in their 20s may not find it necessary, for individuals in their 30s and beyond, regular checkups, including blood tests and eye examinations, are highly recommended.
For me, January marks the ritualistic yearly health check, easily remembered and scheduled. A quick doctor's appointment ensued, encompassing a general health check and a blood test, as well as an eye examination.
Without any noticeable symptoms, the doctor's visit was brief—blood pressure checked and confirmed fine. Though the blood test results are a week away, the convenience of receiving them over the phone eliminates the need for another trip to the medical center. yay.
For those in their mid-30s and beyond, a regular blood test is advisable. ChatGPT elucidated the benefits, emphasizing that such tests offer valuable insights into overall health, enabling the early detection of potential issues.
Benefits of Yearly Blood Tests:
1. Early Detection of Health Issues:
- Identify potential health problems before symptoms manifest, allowing for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
2. Monitoring Chronic Conditions:
- Essential for managing conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, or thyroid disorders.
3. Assessment of Organ Function:
- Evaluate vital organ function, aiding in the early detection of abnormalities.
4. Nutritional Status:
- Assess levels of essential nutrients, addressing nutritional deficiencies.
5. Blood Cell Count:
- Measure levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Medicare, the national health insurance scheme of Australia, covers the eye check—an essential part of my yearly routine.
Despite noticing a disparity in my left eye sight, the optometrist assured me that glasses weren't needed just yet. Phew.
Benefits of Regular Eye Examinations:
1. Early Detection of Eye Conditions:
- Identify conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy early on.
2. Prescription Updates:
- Ensure eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions are up-to-date for optimal vision.
3. Monitoring for Glaucoma:
- Include tests to measure intraocular pressure, crucial for diagnosing and monitoring glaucoma.
4. Detection of Refractive Errors:
- Identify common refractive errors and correct them to reduce eye strain.
5. Assessment of Eye Coordination and Focusing:
- Evaluate how well eyes work together and focus at different distances.
6. Evaluation of Retinal Health:
- Assess the health of the retina, checking for signs of diseases like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
As we journey through life, aging is inevitable.
To ensure a healthy life in the long run, taking proactive steps is crucial. Regular health checkups, a balanced diet, consistent exercise, and maintaining mental well-being are integral to this endeavor. For me, yearly health checkups, coupled with Self Balancing Food and daily meditation, form the cornerstone of my health management plan.
Prevention is indeed better than treatment, and paying attention to our well-being, both physically and mentally, while we are still healthy is paramount. Grateful for my body's resilience over the past four decades, I am committed to nurturing it for many more healthy years to come!
This is nice