Heredity vs. Lifestyle

Scientists are preoccupied with finding out whether genetics or lifestyle has more impact on the state of health. Most of the studies conclude that the answer is fifty-fifty. Genes make us prone to certain disorders, while the rest depends on the individual. For example, if a father had suffered from stomach ulcers from a young age, his son will be predisposed to this disease. Only he and his lifestyle decisions can trigger the disease or prevent it from happening.

Have your body inspected

A healthy lifestyle includes controlling your state of health. While we take our cars for a mechanical check regularly once per year, we often skip medical check-ups. We have often heard about doctors discovering a dangerous disease "by accident". It is great if a disease is discovered and treated but what if it is not? What if the doctors had discovered the problem too late?

This is why the developed world has been trending toward regular individual check-ups. Based on gender, age, heredity, presence of chronic diseases, professional risk factors, and more, patients can utilize mobile apps and professional medical advice to determine which annual tests to undergo. Some tests can be made free of charge in state-owned hospitals, while others are paid for by patients.

Most conscientious people budget the costs of basic check-ups of their health on an annual basis. This check-up can reveal signs of the most widespread disorders, which are asymptomatic in the early stages but can lead to serious consequences later.

Annual check-up

Except for chronic diseases, which should be identified and regularly monitored, an annual basic check-up includes the following:

Thyroid, pelvic and abdominal ultrasounds: these tests help to evaluate the structure and general health of tissues and organs as well as to identify any tumors.

X-ray of the lungs or fluorography. Mammary glands ultrasound examination for women over 35 years of age and mammography for women over 40 years of age.

Medical tests for women: inoculation of flora, cytological examination, microscopic examination of the detachable cervical canal and vagina.

Medical tests for men: PCR test for diagnostics of contagious diseases for men up to 40 years of age.

Gastroscopy: an examination of the stomach by conventional method or under anesthesia.

ECG: helps to evaluate the heart's state and functioning as well as diagnose disorders in the early stages.

Ultrasound of the arteries: evaluation of the functional condition of blood vessels of the neck and head.

Coronary angiography of the carotid arteries: the first marker of developing atherosclerosis. Men older than 40 and women older than 50 should evaluate the arteries' state since heart attacks often happen to younger people today.

PSA test: helps to diagnose neoplasms of the prostate for men older than 40. A high PSA level is a sign of chronic prostatitis, adenoma, or malignant tumor (cancer).

Clinical Blood Test: provides an overview of the general state of health and the presence of hematological, infectious, and inflammatory diseases.

General Urine Test: required for evaluation of the body's excretory system, diagnosing kidney, urinary tract, and other disorders.

Blood glucose level: helps to diagnose diabetes, calculates average blood glucose level during the last 3–4 months, and selects a sugar-reducing therapy if needed.

D-dimer Test: the concentration of this protein in the blood is increased many times in the presence of blood clots. If the test is negative, the likelihood of having blood clots in your body is less than 1%.

Check-up before consultation with your physician

Those who want to save time and money should have a general and blood test before a visit to a doctor, which helps doctors get a preliminary idea of the state of their patients' health. Monitoring changes in test results can be done with a mobile app.

The thyroid hormone is the primary indicator of the condition of the thyroid gland. If necessary, your doctor may ask you to pass additional tests, such as T3, T4, Anti-TG, and Anti-TPO.

Vitamins D3, B9, and B12, potassium, sodium, ferritin and transferrin proteins, transferrin saturation coefficient (iron-related): the tests showing the level of vitamins and minerals in your body.

EST and C-reactive protein: these indicators show the presence of inflammations.

Homocysteine: indicates the risks of thrombosis and other vascular catastrophes.

Fibrinogen: one of the factors responsible for blood clotting.

Antistreptolysin O (ASO): shows diseases caused by streptococcal bacteria.

Immunoglobulin IgE: if this parameter is increased, it shows the presence of various parasitic infections and allergic reactions.

ESP: shows the presence of allergies or exacerbation of bronchial asthma.

ALT, AST, GGT, creatinine, urea, uric acid, bilirubin: indicators of liver and kidney function.

Lipid profile: total cholesterol, low and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL, LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides - which are the indicators of fat metabolism - that can signal a lipid metabolic disorder, risks of developing coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis.

Alpha-amylase, lipase: the ferments responsible for digestion - specifically, digestion of fats.

Summary

Today everyone is aware that health is a prerequisite to having a high quality of life, financial stability, and reaching a happy old age. For this reason, an annual health screening planned well in advance, becomes commonplace for members of a family. It helps prevent unpleasant health surprises and unplanned health expenditures.

Annual basic check-ups provide you with peace of mind, a feeling of having more control over your life, and saving opportunities. And convenient mobile apps allow scheduling check-ups and visits to your doctor, monitoring changes in test results, and managing prescriptions.

You can start taking care of yourself and your close ones right now! Make an appointment with a doctor, get tested, stay healthy!

23 March 2021