Here’s a New Year’s Resolution everyone should make – Schedule a comprehensive physical exam so that you can discuss your conditions and get recommendations on things you can do to improve your health and quality of life.
Use this at-a-glance list to make sure you don’t miss any of the maintenance tests and screenings you need. Make the appointments now and you’ll be free and clear for the rest of the year (and all of these appointments can earn you points for your 2014 Wellness @ Work Scorecard!!)
If these items look familiar to you, this means you have read the January Wellness Newsletter. If you don’t already receive the newsletter, sign up here for the wellness newsletter now! (And get more points for your Scorecard….)
- Your yearly physical
Even if you feel fine, check in with your primary-care doctor at least once a year. “This is your chance to get the complete picture of your health, as well as to track your progress over time,” says Judith Volkar, MD, a gynecologist at the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Specialized Women’s Health. The bonus: Your physical should cover all of the following items on your to-do list.
- Blood pressure check
Get this reading every 2 years to confirm that you’re in the healthy range (less than 120/80); get it annually if you’re 40 or over and have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or have any other risk factors.
- Cholesterol screening
Get this blood test at least once every 5 years. For good heart health, your total blood cholesterol level should be less than 200 mg/dL; your HDL (good) cholesterol, more than 50 to 60; and your LDL (bad), less than 130. Triglycerides (fat stored in the blood) should be under 150 mg/dL.
- Depression screening
If you’ve felt down for 2 weeks or longer at a time, ask your doctor to test you for depression. They’ll talk to you about common symptoms such as sleeping too much or too little, overeating, or having trouble concentrating, and can refer you for counseling if you need it.
- Pelvic exam
Even if you’re not due for a Pap test, you need a pelvic every year, because it looks at many other critical health issues, such as other cancers, too.
- Cervical cancer screening (Pap test)
If you’re between 30 and 65, get this screening every 3 years, with an HPV (human papillomavirus) test every 5 years. HPV is a leading cause of cervical cancer.
- STD testing
If you’re over 25, you should be tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other STDs every time you change sexual partners.
- Flu vaccination
This protective shot is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older. (So if you can read this, you need one.) If you’ve scheduled your primary-care visit in the early fall, ask your doctor for the shot. It’s also available for a small fee at drugstores and health clinics. (Stop in at Student Health Services in the Biederman Building to get your shot!)
- Shingles vaccination
If you had chicken pox, you’re at risk of this painful, itchy condition, which is actually an adult resurgence of the childhood disease. If you’re 60 or older, ask your doctor about the one time herpes zoster vaccine, which helps prevent shingles.
For more information on preventive health care, visit Priority Health’s webpage on Guidelines – remember that most of these services are paid at 100% if you visit an in-network provider, unless you receive the services for diagnostic reasons (to monitor, diagnose or treat health problems).
If you have questions about this or other benefits, please contact Human Resources at 995-1362 or 995-1025.