As you start getting older, it's essential to start getting yourself medically tested on a regular basis, in order to keep yourself as strong and healthy as can possibly be. That's why we've compiled a list of tests that every man over 40 should start taking. Women should check out this article instead.
Read on to find out all about the most important tests:
1. Testosterone
Low levels of testosterone may cause many unpleasant changes in your body, such as fatigue, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, loss of body hair, loss of muscle mass, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, a reduction in bone density, or even subtle changes in your personality. Your doctor can quickly assess your testosterone levels through a saliva or blood test.
2. Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
Undergoing a DRE will help with the early detection of prostate cancer and other irregularities of the prostate gland. Your doctor will need to insert a lubricated gloved finger into your rectum to feel for abnormalities, and while this might sound uncomfortable, it's very important to get it done, because it might just save your life!
3. Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is a symptomless killer, which can wreak havoc on your lungs, brain, heart, kidneys and blood vessels. That's why it is a good idea for over-40s to keep portable blood pressure monitors on them at all times, since there's nothing better than having peace of mind at all times.
4. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
Taking the PSA test will help your doctor determine how much prostate-specific antigen, a prostate health indicator, is present in your blood. High or rising levels of PSA could be indicative of prostate cancer or other prostate-related illnesses.
5. Cholesterol
Once you reach the age of 40, you really should get all of your cholesterol levels checked by your doctor.
These include:
1. Total cholesterol level
2. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
3. High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
4. Triglycerides
6. Blood Sugar
This is an important test to help screen for insulin resistance, diabetes, and pre-diabetes. Insulin resistance may cause weight gain, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, bloating, or even high blood sugar. If left untreated, diabetes may cause problems with your feet, eyes, skin, heart, kidneys, nerves, and even your mental health.
7. Colorectal Cancer
Doctors recommend that people over 40 get screened for colon cancer with any of the following tests: sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or a fecal occult blood test. A colonoscopy is considered the best option for the prevention of colorectal cancer, but a fecal occult blood test is the best at detecting the early stage of this cancer.
8. HIV
Because birth control becomes less of a concern for people over 40, many of them are having unprotected sex. That's why around a quarter of HIV cases are actually people over 40, so you should still get yourself checked no matter how old you are.
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