As elderly people age, their various physical skills gradually decline, making them easily sought after by various diseases. Regular physical examinations are essential for better monitoring of physical condition
As elderly people age, their various physical skills gradually decline, making them easily sought after by various diseases. Regular physical examinations are essential for better monitoring of physical condition. How should elderly people undergo physical examinations?
Four Key Points to Pay Attention to in Elderly Physical Examination
In the book "Promoting Healthy and Enjoyable Elderly Life" organized by the Propaganda Department of the National Health Commission and edited by Wang Jianye, Director of the National Geriatric Center, it is introduced that in addition to routine items, the focus of physical examination for the elderly includes the following four points:
1. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular examination:Including carotid ultrasound, cardiac ultrasound, etc.2. Tumor and cancer screening:Including chest CT, abdominal ultrasound, gastroscopy, etc., serum tumor marker examination can be used as a reference.3. Bone density testing:Men over 50 years old and women over 45 years old should undergo bone density testing.4. Other projects:This includes blood glucose and lipid testing, fundus examination, as well as gynecological examination for women and prostate examination for men
Health Times Chart
What should elderly people pay attention to during physical examinations?1. On an empty stomach that day
The fasting standard is 8 to 12 hours without calorie intake. On the night before the blood draw, try to maintain normal lifestyle habits, eat a normal diet, and have light meals. Do not drink alcohol, coffee, or strong tea; The next morning, do not eat breakfast, drink less or no water, do not exercise, and calmly go to the hospital to wait for blood collection.
2. Don't stop taking medication randomly
Many elderly people must take medicine regularly for chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, anticoagulants, etc. Discontinuing or delaying medication hastily can cause adverse events, even life-threatening. Therefore, regular medication should be taken before undergoing a physical examination. Drinking a small amount of water does not affect the results of the examination.
If you need to undergo gastroscopy or colonoscopy, you need to stop taking antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs such as aspirin and clopidogrel before.
3. Pay attention to clothing
Prepare loose and separate clothes for easy electrocardiogram, ultrasound, and other examinations. Wear comfortable and non slip shoes, which are convenient for the elderly to walk and prevent falls
Avoiding these misconceptions in elderly physical examinationsMyth 1: As one gets older, there is no discomfort and no need for a physical examination
Old age does not necessarily mean lying flat or taking things as they go. Many diseases start relatively quietly, and there may be no discomfort in the early stages. When symptoms appear, they are already very serious, and even cannot be cured or prevented from progressing.
I usually feel in good condition and believe that a physical examination is not necessary, but it may be too late to think about it until I feel uncomfortable. Elderly people need to undergo an annual physical examination. In addition to regular physical examinations, elderly people should also seek medical attention promptly if they feel unwell
Myth 2: Getting older and getting sick costs a lot of money for a physical examination
"When you are old and ill, why do you want to have a physical examination?" Yang Yanyi, deputy director of the Health Management Center of Xiangya Second Hospital of Central South University, said in an article published on the official account of the hospital in 2022 that it is true that many elderly people themselves suffer from some chronic diseases, but that does not mean that these diseases should not be investigated or managed. For example, for many years of hypertension patients, it is not only necessary to monitor blood pressure, but also to take blood samples to check blood biochemistry, understand kidney function, blood sugar, and blood lipid levels, check the condition of the fundus of the eyes, and take an echocardiography to check the heart condition.
In addition, some elderly people take it for granted that some symptoms are aging phenomena, such as height reduction, hunching, and back pain, but they are unaware that these symptoms are likely caused by vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. Therefore, during the physical examination, elderly friends can also undergo a bone density test to measure the levels of vitamin D and calcium.
Elderly people do not need a physical examination, but rather should be examined in conjunction with their own chronic diseases, while paying attention to screening for high incidence tumors caused by aging
Myth 3: Going for a physical examination requires choosing the most expensive medical package
The selection of physical examination items should not blindly choose expensive ones, but rather choose ones that are suitable for oneself. This suitability refers to the comprehensive consideration of various factors such as family history, current medical history, recent discomfort, occupation, age, gender, stress, etc. In addition to routine examination items, personalized and precise items should be appropriately added.
For example, middle-aged people aged 40 can undergo their first gastroscopy in their lives, while those aged 50 should undergo a colonoscopy and lung CT scan; Perimenopausal women can measure their sex hormone levels, and it is recommended to have dual energy bone density to determine if they have low bone mass or osteoporosis. At the same time, it is also necessary to have color Doppler ultrasound of the breast, thyroid, uterine appendages, and screening for cervical cancer
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