As our mothers are growing old, the risk of diseases and health conditions also spikes, and so, they must regularly undergo a few important health check-ups
Your mother is always a resilient pillar of your family, loving, caring, and nurturing everyone 24x7. She would do everything for everyone around the clock at the cost of her own health. And so, this Mother’s Day, rather than gifting her some jewellery, clothes, or make-up, it is advisable to invest in something that would keep her healthy and take care of her well-being.
As our mothers are growing old, the risk of diseases and health conditions also spikes, and so, according to experts, they must regularly undergo a few important health check-ups to diagnose and identify the conditions so that they can be treated well in time. Here is a curated list of some important health tests that every mother must take after the age of 45.
Pap smear
Also known as the Papanicolaou test, a pap smear is a detailed procedure to remove cells from the cervix and surrounding area so that they are screened for cervical cancer, one of the deadliest conditions that affects women across the world. These cells are then examined under a microscope to identify any cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is caused by the HPV virus, known to cause warts. Doctors say HPV types 16 and 18 are the primary causes of cervical cancer. It is also advised that you get regular Pap smears based on your age, regardless of your sexual activity status. It is a must because the HPV virus can be dormant for years and then suddenly become active in women.
Thyroid test
A thyroid function or TFT, is a blood test that helps monitor the effectiveness of thyroid suppression. Doctors can order one or more blood tests to check your thyroid function, and these tests include thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T4, T3, and thyroid antibody tests.
Your thyroid produces two major hormones—T3 and T4—and a lack of these can make you experience symptoms like weight gain, lack of energy, and depression.
Blood pressure test
If your mother has a few underlying health issues like type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, or heart problems, the doctor may recommend more frequent testing of blood pressure levels. According to experts, every woman must get it checked at least twice or thrice a year, as it helps measure the pressure in the arteries as the heart pumps.
A blood pressure test notes the pressure of your blood against the walls of your arteries by placing an inflatable cuff around your upper arm, pumping it with air until it feels tight, and then slowly letting it out. The test takes a few minutes and is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
The systolic pressure - the pressure when your heart pushes blood out—and the diastolic pressure - when your heart rests between beats—are then noted. Normal blood pressure is between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg.
Lipid profile tests
Also known as a lipid panel or cholesterol test, a lipid profile test measures the amount of cholesterol and other fats in your blood. You can always take your mom to get an assessment of the risk of heart disease and stroke done. Ideal test results include:
- LDL: less than 100 mg/dL
- HDL: 40 to 60 mg/dL (a higher number is better)
- Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL
- Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL
- VLDL levels: under 30 mg/dL
Mammogram
According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is among the most common cancers among women across the world. And so, it is recommended that every woman above 40 years get a mammogram done to detect the onset of breast cancer.
If your mom has a family history of women suffering from breast cancer, she will need to start this test earlier in life.
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