Health checkup by life cycle / Comprehensive health checkup options recommended for those in their 40s and 50s / Middle-aged women’s health checkup
생애주기별 건강검진
As we enter middle age, we begin to experience serious aging. Therefore, the 40s and 50s are an important period in health checkups by life cycle. Women should pay a lot of attention to health care before and after menopause. In this post, we will summarize the recommended comprehensive health checkup options for people in their 40s and 50s.
Comprehensive health checkup optional items recommended for those in their 40s and 50s
Comprehensive health checkup optional items recommended for those in their 40s and 50s
The content of the post conveys general health common sense. For specific health consultation, please proceed with your primary care physician.
Comprehensive health checkup recommended optional items for those in their 40s and 50s
colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is an examination performed by inserting an endoscope through the anus. Colonoscopy is a test that can check for inflammation, polyps, and tumors that may occur in the large intestine.
On average, the incidence of colorectal cancer begins to increase after age 45. Since colonoscopy is almost the only way to detect colon polyps in advance, it is recommended as an optional item for comprehensive health checkup.
carotid ultrasound
Carotid ultrasound is a test that examines the carotid artery located in the neck through ultrasound. The carotid artery is the blood vessel that connects the heart to the brain. Therefore, if there is an abnormality in the carotid artery, it can be judged that there is a problem with the blood vessels of the brain and heart.
From the age of 40, the incidence of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis increases. These diseases are highly related to diseases with high mortality, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Therefore, after the age of 40, carotid artery ultrasound is recommended as a general health checkup item.
heart ultrasound
Echocardiography is a method of examining abnormalities in the anatomical structure of the heart, heart function, and intracardiac pressure using ultrasound. Echocardiography takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. Echocardiography can detect heart diseases such as valve disease, ischemic heart disease, and pericardial disease at an early stage.
One of the diseases that increase the incidence rate after reaching the age of 40 is heart disease such as myocardial infarction. Since heart disease has no specific symptoms, it is recommended to have a heart disease test periodically.
In particular, echocardiography is recommended for those in their 50s or older, with a family history of high blood pressure or diabetes, obesity, or shortness of breath.
cerebral blood flow ultrasound
Brain blood flow ultrasound can diagnose cerebral blood vessel stenosis, cerebral blood vessel occlusion, and cerebrovascular malformation by evaluating the speed and direction of cerebral blood flow using ultrasound. Brain blood flow ultrasound can be used to check for cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke and headache.
Cardiocerebrovascular disease is the leading cause of death, ranking second in Korea after cancer. The mortality rate from cerebrovascular disease rises rapidly from the age of 40. Mortality due to cerebrovascular disease is three times higher in the 40s than in the 30s. Therefore, cerebral blood flow ultrasound is recommended as an optional item for comprehensive health checkups after the age of 40.
The female hormone estrogen also plays a role in protecting blood vessels. In postmenopausal women, cerebral blood flow ultrasonography is more recommended because estrogen secretion is rapidly reduced.
Liver Ultrasound and Liver Fibrosis Test
Liver ultrasound is a test to determine the condition of the liver through ultrasound. Through liver ultrasound, diseases such as liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, liver abscess, fatty liver, and hepatic distoma can be examined.
Liver fibrosis test is a test that diagnoses liver fibrosis or liver cirrhosis through blood tests and ultrasound tests.
Liver cancer is the second leading cause of death among cancer-related deaths. In particular, the risk of liver cancer increases rapidly from the age of 40. The liver does not show any specific symptoms until more than 70% of the liver is damaged. Therefore, it is recommended to undergo liver ultrasound or liver fibrosis tests regularly from the age of 40 onwards.
low-dose lung CT
Low-dose lung CT is a test that can reduce the concern of radiation exposure by reducing the radiation dose by up to 75% of general CT. It is difficult to detect lung cancer early with a standard chest X-ray. Low-dose lung CT is recommended for those who are exposed to smoking, secondhand smoke, and fumes because it enables more accurate lung examination than chest X-ray.
Lung cancer ranks first among cancer-related deaths. People with a smoking history of 30 years or more are classified as a high-risk group for lung cancer. Therefore, low-dose lung CT is recommended as an option for health checkup for those in their 40s or older who smoke.
Recommended items for health checkup for middle-aged women in their 40s or older
Mammography (breast x-ray)
Mammography is a test that diagnoses the condition of the breast using X-rays. Mammography is the most basic test performed when examining breast disease. Mammography can read very small nodules and detect microcalcifications before they become cancerous.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among female cancers in Korea. In Korea, breast cancer has been designated as a national cancer screening item. Accordingly, women over the age of 40 can receive a mammogram for free once every two years.
bone density test
A bone density test is a test that measures bone density using radiation. Bone density measurement can detect osteoporosis and osteomalacia at an early stage.
The risk of osteoporosis increases more than fivefold between the ages of 40 and 50. In the case of women, the risk of osteoporosis increases even more because estrogen levels decrease after menopause. Therefore, it is recommended that women in their 40s and older take a bone density test during a health checkup to manage their bone density.
Menopause is a symptom of decreased secretion of sex hormones. Menopause is a period of physical and mental weakness, so it is necessary to manage to overcome it. The link below summarizes the symptoms of menopause and how to overcome them.
Menopausal symptoms and how to overcome them / Causes and diseases of menopause in women and men
After the age of 60, the infection rate of degenerative and geriatric diseases increases, and the incidence of cancer also increases rapidly. Therefore, comprehensive health checkup is very important for those over 60 years of age. Recently, there are increasing cases of presenting health examinations to parents as gifts for filial piety or Mother’s Day. The link below summarizes the recommended health checkup items for those in their 60s and older.
Health checkup by life cycle / Recommendation of comprehensive health checkup options for those in their 60s or older / Recommendation of comprehensive health checkup items on Parents’ Day
In general, health checkups start after you get a job. Newcomers in their 20s and 30s are young and healthy, so it is difficult to choose health checkup options. The link below summarizes the essential health checkup items for people in their 20s and 30s.
Health checkup by life cycle / Recommended comprehensive health checkup options for those in their 20s and 30s / Recommended items for women’s health checkup
I hope everyone who visits my blog is healthy and happy.