For many working women in the country, daily life is a hectic schedule, amidst which, what often gets compromised, is the need to take care of their own health. Often, women may often postpone their regular health checkups, unfortunately, leading to a situation where urgent intervention becomes a possibility in the future. To avoid this situation, one should prevent any illnesses or diseases beforehand. For women aged 35 and above, there are certain common illnesses they should keep an eye out for and some tests that they must undergo regularly.
Let’s look at five compulsory health checkups for working women.
1. Thyroid Profile
Women should take a Thyroid profile test to identify an under-active or over-active thyroid. Thyroid conditions can be treated with medicines, but delayed treatment can also result in serious health hazards. According to experts, lack of physical activity, coupled with an unhealthy diet, is pushing more working women towards an under-active thyroid. This makes it an essential health checkup for women.
2. Bone density test
It is advisable for women aged 35 and above to get a bone density test done once in 5 years. The bone mineral density test (or the DEXA scan) involves a specialized X-ray, which screens the spine, hips, and wrists while the individual is lying flat on a table. It measures bone strength and assesses the risk of fracture.
3. Anemia Test
Anemia, a prevalent blood disorder, is a condition where a person lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry sufficient oxygen to the body’s tissues or organs. Women are often at risk of iron-deficiency anemia because of blood loss from their periods. This is the reason why many women can be seen taking treatment for anemia during menopause. India has a high number of anemia cases despite having an anemia control program running for the last 50 years. Ideally, all women should get tested for anemia at least once a year. The test looks at the size and color of red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin and ferritin levels.
4. Breast cancer checkup
Most women between the age of 50 and 74 undergo this critical illness. As they age, one in five women is at risk of developing this kind of illness. This makes mammogram an essential health annual checkup for women to ensure they are not at risk of the deadly disease.
5. Lipid Profile
This test identifies the presence of good and bad cholesterol in the body. Women are at a higher risk of heart disease. Also, a high cholesterol level is directly linked to heart disease, attacks and stroke. Therefore, knowing cholesterol levels is essential and, therefore, a lipid profile test is recommended once in a year for women as a part of their health checkup.
Remember, being healthy and illness-free is all about taking the right action at the right time. Measures such as taking an anemia test or treatment before you hit menopause or a lipid profile test upon experiencing weight gain can actually be lifesavers. The above list of tests and advice has been provided to help you prevent illnesses and live a good life.