Being a young adult in Nigeria often involves navigating the stresses of building a career, working long hours, and balancing responsibilities, leaving little time for much else. It’s easy to let your well-being slip down the priority list amidst the hustle. However, proactively managing your health through regular checkups and specific health tests for yo
ung men during your 20s, 30s, and 40s is a crucial investment in your future.
Why Young Men Need to Prioritize Health Checkups
There’s a common tendency, particularly among men, to downplay symptoms or put off visiting a doctor until a health issue becomes severe. This attitude unfortunately contributes to lower life expectancy statistics for men compared to women. You have the power to change this pattern, starting with yourself.
Furthermore, resist the dangerous misconception that serious conditions like hypertension, certain cancers, or chronic diseases only affect older individuals. While risks may increase with age, young adults are not immune. Preventative health tests for young men in Nigeria are vital for early detection and intervention.
5 Essential Health Tests for Young Men in Nigeria (20s-40s)
They say prevention is better than cure, and prevention starts with knowing your health status. Early detection requires testing. Here are five recommended health tests for young men to consider as part of your routine wellness plan:
1. STI Screening (Including HIV, Hepatitis B)
- Why: Essential screening for sexually active young men. Undiagnosed STIs can have serious long-term consequences.
- What it includes: Tests for common infections like HIV, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis.
- Key Considerations:
- HIV is manageable with early diagnosis and treatment.
- Hepatitis B (HBV) affects the liver, is linked to liver cancer if chronic and untreated, and is preventable with a vaccine if you test negative.
- Syphilis is treatable if caught early but can cause severe neurological problems years later if ignored.
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2. Blood Pressure Checks
- Why: High blood pressure (hypertension – 130/90 mmHg or higher) often has NO symptoms (“silent killer”) but significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease.
- What it involves: A simple, non-invasive measurement using a BP cuff.
- Recommendation: This is one of the most basic but vital health tests for young men. Get it checked regularly, at least annually, or more often if advised.
3. Kidney Function Tests
- Why: Assesses how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood. Early kidney damage may not show obvious symptoms.
- Symptoms Warranting Tests: Painful/difficult urination, changes in urine frequency/volume, bloody urine, swollen limbs.
- Common Tests: Urinalysis, Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Serum Creatinine. Your doctor will order appropriate kidney function tests based on symptoms or risk factors.
4. Blood Sugar Test (Diabetes Screening)
- Why: This health test for young men screens for diabetes and pre-diabetes (where blood sugar is high but not yet diabetic). Uncontrolled diabetes damages organs over time.
- Common Tests:
- Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): Measures glucose after an 8-12 hour fast (Normal: 70-99 mg/dL).
- HbA1c Test: Reflects average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months (Normal: 4–5.6%).
- Recommendation: Get screened periodically, especially if overweight, have a family history, or belong to certain ethnic groups with higher risk in Nigeria.
5. Full Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Check)
- Why: Measures levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. High levels of “bad” cholesterol contribute to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing heart disease and stroke risk. This test can also hint at genetic conditions.
- Who needs regular checks: Young men, especially those overweight, with a family history of heart disease, diabetes, or smokers, should consider this health test regularly as advised by their doctor.
- Process: Requires a blood sample; fasting may be needed.
Lifestyle Choices for Young Men’s Health
While these health tests for young men are crucial, they work best alongside healthy habits:
- Diet: Reduce excessive intake of refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats. Focus on whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein.
- Exercise: Aim for regular physical activity most days of the week.
- Substance Use: Cut down on or quit smoking. Moderate alcohol consumption, especially if you have family history risks for certain cancers or liver disease. Smoking and excessive alcohol are major contributors to many chronic conditions.
Take Charge of Your Health Now
Combining healthy lifestyle choices with regular medical checkups for young men is the most effective way to safeguard your health long-term. No single action guarantees perfect health, but proactive steps make a huge difference. You can’t expect negative STI test results if you consistently engage in unprotected sex; prevention and testing go hand-in-hand.
The health you experience in your later years is largely built upon the practices you adopt now. Make sensible choices and prioritize scheduling the recommended health tests for young men in Nigeria at intervals advised by your doctor. Your future self will thank you.
Explore HealthTracka’s checkup packages designed to meet the screening needs of young, busy men.
