10 health tests must for men

Men, in particular, are prone to a few diseases. They need to be more concern about these diseases well in time and get screenings done in time to stay healthy. Men need to take charge of their health from the beginning, says Dr. Steven Lamm at NYU Lang one Medical Center. Let’s see what 10 health tests they need to do for themselves.

1. Check your BMI Excess weight is the cause of many diseases like diabetes and heart disease. So getting your body mass index (BMI) checked is very important. BMI measures your body fat based on your height and weight. BMI can determine obesity. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a BMI between 18.5 and 25 is a normal range for men.

2. Check your cholesterol level From the age of 35, you should start checking your cholesterol level, every five years. If you suffer from diabetes, or if you smoke, or your BMI is over 30, then cholesterol screening should be done from 20 years onwards. In case your cholesterol is high, then the screening should be done more frequently. A blood sample taken from your hand is used to measure total cholesterol, HDL (?good?) cholesterol, LDL (?bad?) cholesterol, and triglycerides. According to the American Heart Association, a healthy total cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL.

3. Test your triglycerides High triglycerides (a sort of fat) are connected with metabolic disorder, which increases the danger of heart disease and diabetes. Heart disease is one of the main causes of death in men. So in your 30s and 40s you should know your risks. The same blood taken to check your cholesterol gives a reading of your triglycerides. An ideal triglyceride level is under 100 mg/dL, in spite of the fact that levels underneath 150 mg/dL are considered as ordinary.

4. Watch your blood pressure High blood pressure is the cause for heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. To avoid these diseases, you need to check your blood pressure regularly. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg.

5. Get the diabetes tests done Blood pressure more than 135/80 mm Hg may be a symptom of diabetes. Testing for diabetes may include a hemoglobin A1C blood test, a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, or an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A single test is insufficient to diagnose diabetes. A second test must affirm if your glucose level is high.

6. Colon cancer screening Colon cancer screening should be done when your reach the age of 50. According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in US men. A colonoscopy is painless and takes only 15 to 20 minutes. This test can detect colon cancer early, when it is treatable.

7. Testicular tests Testicular tests are suggested because there is a higher risk of testicular cancer in 20s and 30s. A lump on the testicle is the first symptom of testicular cancer. Sometimes the testicle is swollen or larger than normal without a lump. Some men don’t understand that something isn’t right until the cancer has developed substantial. Doctors say that checking a man?s testicles should be part of a general physical exam. The American Cancer Society recommends a testicular exam by a doctor as part of a routine cancer-related check-up.

8. Screening for prostate cancer Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among men, and a leading cause of death in men. A screening test that can accurately identify asymptomatic men with aggressive localized tumors, can reduce prostate cancer morbidity. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing is the most common prostate cancer screening.

9. Lung cancer screening Lung cancer screening is recommended at the age of 55, particularly for heavy smokers. Doctors recommend annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Screening should be discontinued once a person has not smoked for 15 years.

10. Ultrasound to detect AAA An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is caused by an enlarged blood vessel in the stomach that ruptures suddenly. AAAs have no symptoms but are often fatal; about 30-50% of people with a ruptured AAA die before reaching the hospital. The good news is that an ultrasound can detect AAA. The US Department of Health & Human Services recommends screening for men between 65 and 75 who have smoked 100 or more cigarettes in their lifetime.

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