International Men’s Health Week: 7 Tests are Vital For All Men Post 40

Turning 50 is a milestone, especially when it comes to your health. We do hear about menopause in women and the care that is to be taken, but we seldom hear about andropause in men which is as same as menopause.
That’s why, like how women have to take care of their health post menopause, men also need to take care of their health post andropause.

Regular health checkups can thus be an important factor in improving the quality of life. To all the men who are reading this, if you take time out to schedule regular health checkups, you and your doctor can detect any underlying problems before they escalate into something serious.

Here are 7 diagnostic tests that should be part of any health checkup for men over 50:

Male andropause hormone testing

• Why is it important: The term “male menopause” has been used to describe decreasing testosterone levels related to aging. In men, production of testosterone and other hormones declines over a period of many years and the consequences aren’t necessarily clear. Lifestyle factors such as excessive stress, weight gain and lack of exercise can lower levels even further – impacting stamina, drive and virility. Get yourself tested for the sex hormones if you experience any of the above symptoms.
• Who is it for:A man’s testosterone levels decline on average about 1% a year after age 40.If you think you might have low testosterone, talk to your doctor about your signs and symptoms, testing, and possible treatment options.

Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA test

• Why is it important: PSA test is a blood test that is used to measure Prostate specific antigen which is a protein that is produced by cancer causing, non cancer causing prostate tissue. Elevated PSA levels may reveal prostate cancer that’s likely to spread to other parts of your body or help to detect quick-growing cancer that’s likely to cause other problems.High PSA levels may indicate prostate cancer or an enlarged or inflamed prostate.
• Who needs it: Although all men are at a risk for prostate cancer, the risk greatly increases with old age. Men who are 50 years or above are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.

Colonoscopy

• Why is it important: A colonoscopy allows your doctor to catch cancer or precancerous growths in the colon and rectum region. If necessary, small amounts of tissue or growth of grape-like tumours may be removed and sent to a lab for a biopsy. This helps to determine if there are any cancer causing cells in the colon or rectum. Colonoscopy can be a real time saviour as it gives an accurate diagnosis so operation can be prevented if detected at an early stage
• Who needs it: If you are 50 years or older, your doctor will definitely ask you to undergo a colonoscopy. And if in case, you have a family history of colon cancer or symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel disorder (IBS)

Blood Pressure Screening

• Why is it important:Hypertension wears down your blood vessels, raises your risk of heart attack, stroke, and some types of dementia. It is called the silent killer because people suffering from this disease rarely show signs. That is why early detection and regular diagnostic tests are key to controlling hypertension and the complications that arise from it.
• Who needs it: Every adult needs to get their blood pressure checked regularly. For adults over 50 years,hypertension can be especially dangerous as it increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease that can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Lipid Profile or Cholesterol Check

• Why is it important:A complete cholesterol test measures four types of lipids, or fats, in your blood. The test is used to determine the total amount of cholesterol in the blood, good cholesterol (HDL) , bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides.
  Excess amount of LDL can raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis. HDL is the good cholesterol, which is required to keep LDL levels in check. Triglycerides are again harmful and are stored as fats in the body’s cells.
  High levels of LDL and triglycerides can lead to clogged arteries that affect the normal heart function and the muscles too.
  To prevent it, getting a routine lipid profile test done for men over 50 will help to detect the risk factors for heart disease.

• Who needs it: Every adult over 20 years of age should get a cholesterol check done every 5 years.

Blood Sugar Screening

• Why is it important: High blood sugar levels can be a sign of diabetes. Diabetes can be of two types: Type 1 diabetes, where your body doesn’t produce insulin, and Type 2 diabetes, where the body resists insulin. In both cases, diabetes can lead to chronically high blood sugar levels and diabetes-related health complications. These may include vision problems, kidney disorders, and an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease.
• Who needs it: Everyone over 45 should get their blood sugar or glucose checked. If you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as unintended weight loss, slow healing, or unusual thirst, get yourself tested.

Eye Exam

• Why is it important: Many eye related issues such as cataract, glaucoma, and macular degeneration may not have physical symptoms until they’ve advanced. You should get your eyes checked annually when you’ve reached your late 40s. These exams become all the more important if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of eye disease.
• Who needs it: Regular eye exams become more important as you reach your 50s. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, it’s a good idea to test for any deterioration in the quality of your vision by consulting your ophthalmologist. Regular eye exams can also help catch other vision problems that begin to develop at this age.

Over to you
Getting the right screening test at the right time is one of the best things a man can do for his health. Don’t wait until you fall ill to visit a doctor. Failing to do the recommended tests can mean that the illnesses go undetected until it’s too late