Are you someone who waits for a medical emergency before getting a full body health checkup? Many of us tend to delay or skip regular checkups until a dire need arises. However, everyone above the age of 30 should undergo a full-body health checkup at least once a year. It helps detect hidden health issues early and allows you to seek timely medical care.
There are several tests available to diagnose different types of health disorders, depending on your symptoms and suspected causes. One such advanced screening is the Ayushman Screen – a routine test with selected parameters to monitor blood sugar levels, heart functions, thyroid, kidney, blood and liver health.
However, if you are still unsure about the importance of a comprehensive body checkup, here are 7 proven reasons which might change your mind. It allows for timely disease diagnosis and management, potentially saving lives and reducing medical costs. Read on to understand the significance of regular screenings and the essential tests you shouldn’t skip.
What is a Full Body Health Checkup?
A full body health checkup is a range of health screening tests done to evaluate your vital organs, heart health, blood parameters, kidney and liver functions, cholesterol levels, diabetes risk and thyroid functions. It is a proactive health test that often works as a preventive health checkup, and not only as a diagnostic tool.
Non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart diseases are often diagnosed when it is too late. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), this results in 74% of deaths globally. Most of these diseases, if detected early, could have been treated through medication and lifestyle changes.
Who Should Consider Getting a Full Body Check-up?
This can be categorised as below:
- People above the age of 30 should get health screenings done for thyroid dysfunction, metabolic disorders and hormonal imbalances. Silent killers like fatty liver and heart disease often go unnoticed until it is too late.
- Professionals leading a sedentary lifestyle, such as those sitting for more than 6 hours a day, are at a higher risk of heart disease, obesity and cancer. If this lifestyle is accompanied by stress, lack of sleep and lack of exercise, it amplifies your risk of getting serious illnesses.
- Those with a family history of chronic illnesses, including diabetes, cancer, or cardiac issues, are more likely to inherit these disorders. Such individuals should get regular health screenings done to catch early indicators of these diseases.
- Individuals with chronic illnesses, such as Type 2 Diabetes, Asthma, Hypertension and High Cholesterol should get regular annual medical examinations to check the effectiveness of their treatments.
Which Tests are Included in a Full Body Health Checkup?
A full body health checkup can include a variety of tests depending upon individual medical history, diagnosis, present medical condition, and other factors. But a general list includes the following tests:
- Blood Pressure Test – to measure the force of blood pumping against your artery walls.
- Cholesterol Test – to measure the level of cholesterol in your blood, as high cholesterol can cause heart disease.
- Blood Sugar Test – to measure the level of sugar in your blood, as high blood sugar can lead to diabetes.
- Urinalysis – to look for proteins, white blood cells, red blood cells and other particles in your urine to diagnose UTIs or other kidney problems.
- Thyroid Function Test – to measure the level of specific hormones produced by the thyroid gland, as a change in the levels can signal thyroid issues.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) – to measure the electrical activity of your heart to diagnose heart rhythm problems.
- Lung Function Tests – to measure the optimal functioning of your lungs to diagnose asthma, COPD or other respiratory issues.
- Chest X-Ray – to take pictures of the inside of your chest to check for any abnormalities in the lungs or heart.
- Pap test – to look for abnormal cells in the cervix to diagnose cervical cancer.
- Mammogram – to look for signs of breast cancer.
- Body Mass Index – to measure body fat based on weight and height. A high BMI can also indicate heart disease or diabetes.
- Bone Density Test – to measure your bone strength, as low density can be a sign of osteoporosis.
- Infection Screenings – to test for hepatitis or other infections.
Apart from these, some doctors may prescribe other tests as well in a comprehensive body checkup, depending on your history and symptoms.
7 Reasons to get a Full Body Health Checkup
The most important reasons why you should get a full body checkup are listed below:
- Early Disease Detection
Regular full body checkups enable doctors to detect early signs of diseases that often go unnoticed. An annual medical examination can help identify serious health conditions such as heart disease, cholesterol, cancer, diabetes or kidney disorders. Early detection and treatment help to prevent these diseases from progressing or causing further complications. Early detection also helps to reduce long-term health ailments.
- Reduced Healthcare Costs
Treating health conditions at an advanced stage often leads to higher healthcare costs, with costlier medications, frequent diagnostic screenings and possible hospital stays. In contrast, regular health screenings can significantly lower costs. Timely intervention can prevent the progression of diseases and complications. It reduces the need for advanced tests, surgeries or prolonged care, thereby reducing your healthcare costs. Moreover, apart from saving money, you also save yourself from the emotional and physical toll of managing chronic illnesses.
- Improved Life Expectancy
You increase the chances of living a longer and healthier life with regular annual health checkups. These tests help to detect diseases early, and you can treat them in their early stages, thereby reducing the risk of other related complications. Early diagnosis also eases your financial burden, ultimately enabling you to live a happier and stress-free life. This leads to improved life expectancy as well.
- Better Mental Well-Being
Knowing your health status can reduce stress and anxiety, ensuring better mental well-being. Regular checkups offer clarity and reassurance, reducing the constant worry of undiagnosed conditions. Regular checkups also give you a better sense of stability and peace of mind, allowing you to better focus on your work and daily life.
- Personalised Health Insights and Lifestyle Adjustments
Full body health checkups offer a detailed review of your current health status. This helps to identify risk factors and gives you a clear idea of any present medical conditions. Based on these results, your doctor can provide personalised recommendations, suggesting dietary changes or exercises. You can then make lifestyle changes that are better aligned with your current health status and medical needs.
- Identifies Stress-Related Diseases
Stress has become our constant companion in today’s fast-paced world. With stressful job schedules and limited time, we are often affected by ailments triggered by stress. Anxiety coupled with stress cause a variety of mental and psychological disorders. Hypertension, weight gain, high blood pressure, and Alzheimer’s are a few examples of such stress-related diseases. Regular health checkups help identify these conditions early, signalling when it’s time to pause, seek help, or make lifestyle changes to manage stress effectively.
- Full Body Health Checkup Packages are Affordable
Full body health checkups are a smart investment in long-term health. When done at an early age, not only are the packages affordable, but they also detect probable diseases at an early stage. This makes it possible to treat them with simple medications or lifestyle changes. These also serve as a preventive health checkup, helping you avoid higher healthcare costs later in life.
Final Takeaway
Do not wait to get a full-body health checkup until a doctor tells you to do so. Be smart and get regular annual health screenings done to rule out the possibilities of any health disorders. Those with a history of diabetes, heart diseases, depression, etc, in their family, should see these tests as preventive health checkups, as such diseases are inherited.
The Ayushman Screen from LifeCell is an affordable routine body checkup with selected parameters. Book now to get tested for diabetes, heart health, thyroid, kidney and liver functions.
