Download Health Screening - Men Age 65 and Older

Health Screening - Men Age 65 and Older
Medline Plus
All adults should visit their health care provider regularly, even if they feel healthy. The
purpose of these visits is to:
Screen for diseases
Assess risk of future medical problems
Help develop a healthy lifestyle
Update vaccinations
Get to know your doctor in case of an illness
Even if you feel fine, you should still see your health care provider for regular checkups.
These visits can avoid problems in the future. For example, the only way to find out if
you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly. High blood sugar and high
cholesterol levels also may not have any symptoms in the early stages.
There are certain times when you should see your health care provider.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Men ages 65 to 75 who have smoked should have an ultrasound done to screen
for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Other men should discuss this screening with their health care provider.
Blood Pressure
Have your blood pressure checked every year.
If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions,
you may need to be checked more often.
Cholesterol And Heart Disease
Cholesterol should be rechecked every 5 years if levels are normal.
If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions,
you may need to checked more often.
Some men should consider taking aspirin to prevent heart attacks. Check with
your doctor before starting.
Colon Cancer
People from age 50 to 75 should be screened for colorectal cancer.
A stool occult blood test should be done every year.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.
Colonoscopy every 10 years.
People with risk factors for colon cancer, such as ulcerative colitis, a family
history of colorectal cancer, or a family history of large colorectal adenomas may
need a colonoscopy more often.
After age 75, you should discuss colon cancer screening with your doctor. The
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends stopping colon cancer
screening after age 85.
Dental Exam
Go to the dentist every year for an exam and cleaning.
Eye Exam
Have an eye exam every 2 years if you have vision problems or glaucoma risk.
Immunizations
If you are age 65 or older, get a pneumococcal vaccine if you have never had
one, or it has been more than 5 years since you had the vaccine.
You should get a flu shot each year.
Get a tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years.
You may get a shingles or herpes zoster vaccination after age 60.
Infectious Diseases
You may need to be screened for infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, and
other infections. Screening will depend on your lifestyle and medical history.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening all adults up to
age 65 for HIV infection unless the prevalence is known to be less than 1 in 1000
people.
Osteoporosis
All men over age 65 with risk factors for osteoporosis should check with their
doctor about screening.
Prostate Cancer
All men age 50 or older should talk to their doctor about prostate cancer
screening.
If screening is done, a PSA test is the best method.
Preventive Health Visits
Have yearly screenings.
Your weight and height will be checked.
You will be screened for alcohol and tobacco use and for depression.
You will go over your medicines and risk of interactions.
You will be checked for hearing loss.
Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007466.htm