Sometimes we are all guilty of taking our health from granted. It is common to find that people have an ‘it will never happen to me’ attitude about illnesses and that means that those unlucky people who do suffer from the illness go into the treatments and check-ups under prepared for what is in store for them. In fact there are many health checks and medical procedures that we may have heard of but we don’t actually understand what they do, how they work and what they are for. We’ve decided to put together a list of some of the most common health checks and reveal the details so that if you ever find yourself in a position where you have to have one, you’ll be fully briefed on the reality of them.
The CT (Computed Tomography) Scan
The CT scan is one of those health checks that you’ve probably heard mentioned in movies and on TV, or possibly you’ll know someone who has had to have it done to them. But it may be the case that you don’t actually know the practical realities of it. Well, a CT scan is usually used for looking into abdominal problems, unusual issues with a chest x-ray or unexpected problems from a pelvic exam. It is a non-invasive procedure in which you’ll be placed in a doughnut-shaped device that combines x-ray and powerful computer equipment to produce a number of images of your body. You may well be required to fast and remove any metallic objects from your person before you can undergo the procedure.
The procedure tends to last between 15 and 30 minutes and you’ll receive an injection or have to drunk a cloudy solution in order for the machine to produce effective images. It’s also worth noting that CT scanning rooms tend to be very cold, so it’s OK to ask for extra blankets in order to stay warm.
Skin cancer screening
The idea of having skin cancer is very worrying to people, and contrary to sense, this can often make them avoid or put off having a skin cancer screening. It should be noted that you should have a skin cancer screening fairly regularly, especially if you’re someone who sits out in the sun a lot and is therefore at an increased risk of developing it. You should remove any nail polish before your screening to make it easier to identify any potential problems in the nail bed. The doctor will examine the skin everywhere from the very top of your head to in between your toes. If your doctor finds anything suspicious they will remove it, in order to stop it from developing into a major problem at another time.
Eye exam
For many of us, the simple eye exam is something we have very regularly and is not something that we worry about at all. However, for others, eye exams are a daunting prospect that they do not really understand. You’ll be tested in your ability to read a series of letters or numbers both up close and far away. You may also have your eye scanned using more technologically advanced equipment. It’s worth resting your eyes for a few days before the exam – for example, you could avoid doing excessive work on a computer in that time. Eye exams are not just to test whether you have glasses, they can also be invaluable in diagnosing you in terms of other conditions that can be much more damaging to your health. It’s worth getting an eye exam every year, even if you do not suffer from short- or long-sightedness.
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