Health Alert 69
You need to inspect and safeguard your health on a regular basis. In this Health Alert I’ll show you what kind of health checks you should get and why. I’ll also tell you about some important tests that your doctor may overlook.
As you grow older, some parts of your body need more attention than others do. Going to the doctor for a routine physical checkup is a good start. Getting laboratory screens for disease on a regular schedule is also very important. Early detection can make a critical difference.
* The Testing Dilemma *
Many doctors are under pressure from insurance companies to order less testing. In many cases the insurance company claims to cover the test but then makes the paperwork cumbersome to discourage doctors from ordering them.
When I evaluate a new patient, more often than not, some of these tests are not on record. These tests could save your life. I have come up with a routine “inspection schedule” for people to increase their odds of living a long and healthy life.
If your doctor doesn’t routinely perform these tests, talk to him about it. He may order them if you ask.
If any of your tests indicate abnormalities, you should monitor the condition more frequently. And if you are at high risk for a specific disease, you should monitor it more often.
Your doctor may also suggest aggressive therapies if your tests come back abnormal. For example, many doctors will suggest “slashing and burning” the prostate if a PSA test is abnormal. Ask about alternative treatments. And take caution before accepting invasive or toxic approaches.
Al Sears, MD