MAN Magazine Winter 2019

HEALTHY LIVING
CHECK IT OUT
CHECK-UPS ARE LIKE THE HUMAN VERSION OF
A ROAD VEHICLE MOT... MOST PEOPLE ENSURE
THEY GET THEIR CAR SERVICED; BODYWORK, AND
ENGINE, BUT DO WE ALWAYS MAKE IT TO THE GP
FOR A CHECK-UP OF OUR OWN BODY AND SYSTEMS?
T
he body works as a ‘whole’,
and does its best to work
to keep us fit, healthy and
well, by showing us the
warning signs... for example, signs, in the
form of pain, or a rash may be present
in one area of the body, but pointing to
a condition in a different location that
may need addressing, such as a tingling
on the extremities (fingers), which can
be a symptom of diabetes, (a disease
where glucose levels are too high in the
blood and the body is not able to use it
properly).
With check-ups, you can help to
prevent disease and disability, and avoid
any unnecessary stress. It is important
that we are as body aware as possible, so
we can recognise the physical signs that
may require further investigation...
What happens at a General
Health Check? A ‘general check’
is carried out to assess overall
health. These checks assess risks,
and can prevent development of
conditions or diseases with early
intervention.
Where do I go? Ask your local
healthcare provider or family
doctor. The NHS offers different
points for people to have checkups
including some libraries
and even mobile units. Find a
location near you, using this link:
http://www.nhs.uk/Service-
Search/NHS-Health-Check/
LocationSearch/1891)
What does it entail? What does
it entail? The check usually includes
blood tests, being weighed, having
your height taken, and answering
lifestyle and health questions; it
72
looks at various areas, including
heart disease, stroke, diabetes,
kidney disease and signs of
dementia. In the UK, the NHS
offer a thirty-minute free check;
other countries vary in the service
offered; some countries charge
for a health check, but it is still
important to have these checks if
you are living or staying abroad for
several months, especially if you
are at risk due to lifestyle choices
such as smoking, or because of an
inherited condition that may not
show any obvious symptoms.
What do Blood Tests show?
There are many substances in the
blood, and tests show if the levels
of these substances fall within the
‘normal’ range. (Normal is based
on factors such as age, race, and
gender.) The most common reasons
for blood testing is to check levels
of glucose, cholesterol, and for
Full Blood Test (FBT), but there
are many things that a blood test
can detect, i.e. liver function, and
genetically inherited disorders. It is
important to remember that blood
tests can detect certain conditions;
they can also rule them out and so
can give peace of mind.
Where do I go? Visit your GP
surgery, local hospital, or private
specialist practice, and you can
be tested by a doctor, nurse or
phlebotomist (a specialist in taking
blood samples).
What does it entail? Depending
on the type of test, it could be a
small finger prick taken by a nurse,
or a series of tests, it is important
to adhere to the preparation
instructions of the blood test, and
maybe take somebody with you:
Some tests require you to fast, and
others may take several weeks to
get results. Blood tests are taken
by inserting a special needle in a
specific way into a vein, usually the
inside of the elbow, or wrist, and
extracting a small amount of blood
(3 to 10 millilitres), directly into a
tube or syringe. A covering or small
plaster is usually placed over the
area after the test and you may
have slight bruising.
Why do I need a Prostate
Check-up? A prostate check-up or
exam is needed if you are at higher
risk of prostate cancer, or if you
are showing symptoms including
increased and urgent urination.
These symptoms are not just cancer
related, but signs of enlarged
prostate or urine infections too;
Prostate Cancer UK states that ‘Most
men with early prostate cancer don’t
have any symptoms’.
Like other cancers, prostate cancer
can spread to other parts of the
body, and can cause weight loss,
pain in the back, hips or pelvis.
‘In the UK, about 1 in 8 men will
get prostate cancer at some point in
their lives. And you’re more likely to
get prostate cancer if you’re aged 50
or over, you’re black, or your father
or brother has had it.’ (Prostate
Cancer UK)
‘Early detection and early
treatment is vital to surviving male
cancer.’ (Male Cancer Research
Campaign)
Where do I go? Ask your doctor/
GP for a test, and when they give
the results they can advise on what
to do next, including referring you
to a specialist if needed. Ask your
doctor the risks and benefits of
screening before you are tested.
What does it entail? There
are several tests that need to be
taken before prostate cancer can
be diagnosed. Some tests are
carried out in order to rule out
other conditions; a urine test is
done to check for urine infection.
MAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2019
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