All of us agree on some things—for example, that cars should be regularly checked and maintained. However, the importance of regular medical checkups is sometimes questioned. Everyone knows that replacing a spare part on a car or buying a new vehicle is just a question of finances while replacing a malfunctioning bodily organ is a very complex task, and replacing your physical body for a new one is merely a science fiction concept.

When developing a health checkup program, the experts of the Scientific and Medical Department of Ornament have applied the principles of evidence-based medicine, using the research of leading international medical centers and hospitals and recommendations of the World Health Organization.

Factors considered during a proper medical checkup

Age During the first year of life, we need medical examinations monthly. This is because it is difficult for humans to adapt to new living conditions, which are very different from the intrauterine conditions of the fetus.

An additional challenge is the immaturity of bodily organs and systems early in life. If a disorder develops, the baby obviously cannot evaluate his or her state and describe it. As the baby becomes older, the frequency of regular checkups decreases compared to infancy.

Young and middle-aged individuals without chronic illnesses who are not subjected to occupational hazards and are not living in extreme conditions can have a preventive checkup once per year.

Seniors need a more careful approach, which calls for more frequent preventive checkups. This is attributed to age-related changes and chronic illnesses.

Gender The scope of medical consultations, tests, and research is different for men and women. This is natural as gender requires different health approaches.

Their endocrine systems function differently, reactions to stress vary, and age-related changes are also expressed differently.

Special Circumstances One of the examples of circumstances that dictate a unique preventive approach is pregnancy in women. For this reason, future mothers should follow special medical checkup programs that address the needs of the mother and the baby.

The presence of chronic conditions in the phase of stable remission calls for an expanded checkup and regular consultations of medical experts. Some conditions require special tests and research.

For example, in case of heart disorders, it is necessary to visit a cardiologist, do EKG and/or echocardiogram, monitor the level of various cholesterol fractions, and measure the thickness of the internal layer of blood vessels most affected by atherosclerosis.

In chronic liver disease, special attention should be paid to the biochemical blood test and ultrasound examination. Some disorders call for daily monitoring — for example, diabetes.

Family History of Diseases When developing a medical checkup program, experts account for the family history of diseases and risks of developing hereditary pathology. In most countries, newborn babies have neonatal screening, which includes examination for most widespread hereditary disorders such as phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism, galactosemia, adrenogenital syndrome, cystic fibrosis, etc.

All of these present a serious threat to children's health, especially in the absence of timely treatment. Keep in mind that this examination doesn't include all hereditary disorders. For this reason, the doctor should know the history of disorders in your family. It can help medical professionals run a timely test to identify a disease at its earliest stage, spot minimal manifestations of progressing pathology and provide timely recommendations to prevent developing medical conditions.

Bad Habits Bad habits negatively influence the human body in one way or another. Therefore, in the presence of bad habits, a checkup program should include physical tests that would help detect developing pathology.

For example, in the case of excessive alcohol consumption, it is important to pay special attention to the state of the liver and the central nervous system, while smoking may affect soft parts of the face and respiratory organs.

Unbalanced diet and irregular eating habits, tendency to overeat, excess weight, excessive consumption of sweet or fatty foods, and frequent consumption of processed products for special attention to the state of the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine, and cardiovascular system as well as for more frequent monitoring of the level of cholesterol, level of other hormones, and blood glucose level.

Physical activity is essential for keeping good health. It is important to bear in mind that professional sports and overly intense physical activity can overstrain the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems.

Having comprehensive information about occupational hazards, climate conditions, eating and living habits, physical activity, and travel history can help a medical professional create a specific checkup program for each patient.

23 March 2021