How To Help Your Dad Stay Healthy After 40
Our dads are our real ‘Super Heroes’. Isn’t it? But, the truth is that aging can lead to several health complications and we need to help our dads to be comfortable and safe in their later stages of life. So, now it’s our turn to take care of their health!
This Father’s Day, take your dad for these 7 regular health screenings. It will help you and your doctor detect any hidden health issues at an early stage.
1. Blood pressure check-up
High blood pressure is an extremely common condition. So, make sure to get your dad’s blood pressure checked at least twice a year. If his readings are more than 120/80, it means that he needs to change his lifestyle – get physically active and eat a healthy, balanced diet. If the readings come above 140/90, take him to a Cardiologist for better guidance. He may need to take some medicines along with lifestyle modifications.
2. Cholesterol check-up
Everyone should get their cholesterol checked regularly. However, if your dad is above 40 and suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, or if he smokes, then make sure to get his cholesterol checked in a gap of every six months.
3. Colorectal (colon and rectum) cancer
It usually begins as polyps (small growth) in the intestinal area, which gets enlarged with time and become cancerous. As your dad gets older, the risk of developing colorectal cancer increases. So, get him tested surely for colorectal cancer annually, if he’s over 45 years of age. Besides a physical examination, your doctor may conduct a blood test, colonoscopy, and few other tests as per the findings.
4. Diabetes
People aged over 40 years and are overweight or physically inactive are prone to develop Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes doesn’t show up until blood sugar levels are either quite high or low. But if left unattended, it can lead to serious health complications. So even if your dad looks healthy, do get him screened for diabetes at least twice every year.
5. Depression
If you find your dad feeling “down,” sad, or hopeless over the last 2 weeks or he has shown little interest or pleasure in doing things, he may be depressed! Take him to a Psychologist to get screened for depression.
6. Eye examination
If your dad is over 40, you should definitely take him for eye check-ups bi-annually. The follow-ups may depend on what the first screening shows. The eye specialist may screen him for various aging conditions like cataract, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Unlike other eye conditions glaucoma doesn’t show any symptoms, and if left untreated, it can lead to permanent blindness.
7. Prostate cancer
Prostate enlargement in men in their silver years is the most common and degenerative condition. Every man should go for a digital rectal exam once a year after 40 years. As prostate cancer doesn’t cause symptoms in the early stage, so whether your dad complains about his prostate concerns or not, you must get him screened annually.
Now as you know about all the health conditions that need a screening, go ahead and take an appointment for your dad this Father’s Day. After all, a good health is the ultimate gift you can give to your 'superhero'. Take care to secure your dad’s health! Happy Father’s Day!
For any query related to health diagnosis test and scans, consult a Radiologist at www.healthcaremagic.com
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