Visiting the doctor or engaging in anything medical only hits the to-do list when the symptoms are unmanageable and that is only after you check in with Google first.
Whether you are too busy or afraid of needles, medical check-ups may be the furthest thing from your mind.
Thing is, there are illnesses that are easily detectable with the correct lab test but have dire consequences that can lead to death if not caught early.
This is where preventive lab testing comes in.
What is a Preventive Lab Test?
This is a medical check-up or health examination that is designed to identify and avoid the development of future health problems.
The goal of preventive lab tests is to allow for the early discovery of possible diseases and conditions.
By this action, measures can be taken to prevent or reduce the impact of the illness.
This can be the difference between life and death.
Did you know that two-thirds of diabetes cases in Nigeria are yet to be diagnosed?
Or that 76 million Nigerians are hypertensive but only 23 million are on treatment?
You may wonder why and how this is possible, this is due to low awareness.
The prevalence rates for some illnesses are high because people do not know they suffer from them.
It is impossible to reduce the risk against a disease without any knowledge of personal threat.
What then happens is these illnesses that are treatable when detected early turn into slow killers.
These lab tests really can save your life.
BOOK YOUR PREVENTIVE LAB TEST TODAY
1. Discover specific personal risksIgnorance is bliss but knowledge is power. Think about it, if taking a general health test or a pre-wedding test would allow you to be aware of what diseases you could possibly be at risk of, wouldn’t you take the test? Yes, this is looking for trouble, but if the threat is there, it is better to catch them early. The results might be all clear, but you can only know for sure when you do take the test. Only then will you know what you are working with.
2. Prevention is better than cureThat is the way the saying goes for HIV. For preventive lab testing, you get the opportunity to avoid, stop or have a better chance of recovery. Early detection puts a person at an advantage to overcome the health issue. There is the option of the first line of defence – lifestyle changes. Making this adjustment, if necessary, can change the trajectory of your life. Adding a few habits and subtracting others will not only allow for a longer life but also increase the quality of it. If you do suffer from certain illnesses, lifestyle changes are inevitable, the major difference is that it will be more abrupt and extreme.
3. Know personal risks to common and deadly cancersIn Nigeria, for men, prostate cancer is the most common and deadly cancer. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women. Both cervical and prostate cancer develop slowly over a long period of time. This means that there are no obvious symptoms or changes that a person can notice in the early stages. It is therefore essential to take a preventive lab test and screen for these cancers. Early detection does increase a person’s chances of survival.
4. Avoid “The Silent Killer”Due to the low levels of awareness, hypertension (along with other illnesses) is referred to as the silent killer. Everyone has “blood pressure”, it is the way blood pushes against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps. It is normal for there to be an increase during exercise or while under stress. However, people do suffer from high blood pressure which is also known as hypertension. Only one-third of Nigerian adults who are hypertensive are on treatment. Get your blood pressure checked regularly and don’t be one of the two-thirds of Nigerians who are unaware of their high blood pressure. There are risks associated with hypertension, a few of these are; heart disease, heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, kidney disease.
5. Improved Chances of current and future healthThey say health is wealth and they are correct. Illness can affect every aspect of a person’s life, it can be taxing for their physical, mental, emotional, and financial life. Other than preventing disease, these lab tests can preserve the overall well-being of the person and their family. These medical tests can also give you peace of mind, especially if the illnesses run in the family. This is another way to take care of yourself, just like you do for things you consider valuable. As you take steps and act now to be mindful of your current health, you are taking care of your future self too.
What Are The Recommended Preventive Lab Tests For Men and Women?
There are many different types of preventive health checkup tests. These vary depending on age, gender, and specific medical concerns.
A general list of the most common tests would be:
- Regular physical checkup by a physician or healthcare professional – including blood pressure checks, chest examination, weight measurement, pulse palpation
- Blood work – consisting of a full blood count (CBC), an analysis of red blood cells (erythrocyte sedimentation rate or ESR), and a general hemogram (complete blood picture)
- Urinalysis
- Cervical Pap smear for women
- Thyroid function testing
- Complete lipid profile – testing for cholesterol levels in the bloodstream
- Kidney Function Test for men and women
- Liver Function Test
- HIV
- Fasting Blood Sugar
- Diabetes (HBA1C) Test
- C-Reactive Protein Test (CRP)
- Thyroid Function Test (T3, T4 & TSH)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
- Hepatitis C Antibody
- Stool MCS
- Colon cancer screening (Stool Occult Blood)
- Prostate Cancer (PSA) Screening for men
At Healthtracka, we provide medical health tests conveniently and securely. You too can be aware and have peace of mind.
You do not have to go to the doctor, we at Healthtracka can come to your home to do a full-body check-up. We offer three packages; basic, standard and comprehensive. Depending on the package, the tests include;
Visit our website and book a test today!
