07/03/2010 - Routine Check-up Information

• Preventative Health Monitoring Checkups - The tests, procedures and immunizations necessary depend on the individuals general medical health and risk factors.  Remember PREVENTATIVE CARE is better that REPARATIVE CARE
  • Age 1 - 6            Annually
  • Age 6 - 20         Every 2 years
  • Age 20 - 35       Every 5 years
  • Age 35 - 50       Every 1 - 5 years depending on medical problems & risk factors
  • Age 50 & up      Annually 
• Colorectal Cancer Detection (Men and Women)
  • Age 35 - 40        Individuals with family history of polyps or bowl cancer should begin screening
  • Age 40 & up      Digital rectal exam and three stool blood tests annually
  • Age 50 & up      Sigmoidoscopy annually for two years, then every three years in addition to annual rectal exams and three stool blood tests.
• Men Only- Prostate Exam
  • Annually over age 40 to detect early prostate cancer
• Women Only- Pelvic, Pap & Breast Exam
  • should be done annually even if the woman had a hysterectomy or is menopausal. 
• Mammogram (Women) - Evaluationfor early breast cancer
  • Age 35               Baseline
  • Age 40 - 50       Every 2 - 3 years
  • Over 50              Annually
• Smokers 
  •  Annual Pulmonary Function Test (lung volume) to detect for early emphysema and obstructive lung disease. 
  • Periodic Chest X-rays
• Complete Eye Examination - Including tonometry (check for Glaucoma)
  • Every 5 years after age 40
  • Every 2 years after age 60
• Cholesterol Screen - Screening cholesterol can be done by the finger prick method.  Normal for a child is less than 175 mg/dl and for an adult over 20 less that 200 mg/dl.
  • Age 5               Screening should begin if there is a strong family history of coronary artery disease, heart ___________attacks or high cholesterol.
  • Age 10             Routine screening should begin to help make dietary changes early in life if necessary.
  • Age 20 & up    Screening should be every 5 years
• Adult Immunizations
  • Influenza vaccine (flu shot) - given in September, October or November annually.  May be given to anyone six months of age or older, but it is recommended to ALL ADULTS OVER AGE 65.  Not given to pregnant women or people allergic to eggs.
  • Pneumovax- a one-time lifelong vaccine protecting against pneumococcal pneumonia.  RECOMMENDED TO ALL ADULTS OVER AGE 50 and individuals with chronic illnesses of the cardiopulmonary, liver, or kidney systems, alcoholics and immunosuppressed.  Also recommended for people who have had a splenectomy or splenic disorders.
  • Diptheria tetanus (dt) - recommended booster every 10 years.
  • Measles- People born before 1956 are considered immune.  People born after 1956 should have primary vaccine usually given at 15 months of age as well as a single measles booster, 10 years of age and older.