Vitamin D to Mammogram, 6 Tests Important For Mothers For Healthier Lifestyle

Early detection and constantly being aware of what’s going on inside your body is always better.

Mothers are always on the alert to take care of their children, family members and friends. However, when it comes to taking care of their own health, they tend to be left behind. While working moms feel overwhelmed with balancing work and personal life, stay-at-home moms in the midst of their morning-to-night household management schedules lose track of their own health. However, with the rise of technology and diagnostic services available 24/7 on your smartphone, monitoring health has become easy.

Therefore, mothers should not overlook their health and should undergo these ten essential tests, thus avoiding any potential health-related complications and ensuring timely intervention suggested by Dr. Monica Malik, Senior Consultant OB/GYN , at Apollo 24|7, and Apollo Hospitals, Sector 26, Noida.

6 Medical test for all mothers

1. Diabetes: The prevalence of diabetes in Indian women is 7.5 percent, making it imperative to regularly check their blood sugar levels. Diabetes can have an adverse impact, triggering long-term complications in women’s health, particularly during its various phases, including pregnancy, postpartum, lactation, and menopause. To diagnose diabetes, you can perform blood tests such as the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test.
2. Thyroid: Thyroid tests are just as important for women, yet they are often ignored. It affects women’s health in many ways. Sometimes sudden weight gain or loss can be a significant indicator of thyroid condition. Tests to be done for the thyroid include TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test or T4 (thyroxine) test or general thyroid profile test.
3. Vitamin D: Since women need sufficient levels of vitamin D for healthy bone growth and an efficient immune system, as well as to protect against diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, it is essential that they monitor their vitamin D levels. As women age, their ability to make vitamin D declines, which can lead to pain in the extremities, frequent fractures, or low bone density. Therefore, it is recommended to see a doctor for testing, especially if any of these symptoms are observed.
4. PAP test: To ensure early detection of cervical cancer, women over the age of 30 should visit their gynecologist regularly for a complete pelvic exam and Pap smear. Indian women can avoid this preventable cause of death by receiving the HPV vaccine, which is recommended for girls under 14 years of age in a two-dose regimen. Even if they are vaccinated, women who have been sexually active for more than 3 years should have a Pap smear as recommended.
5. Mammography: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in India, which emphasizes the importance of early detection. All women should have regular exams, including an annual mammogram for those over 40 and monthly self-exams. Expert exams can identify problems such as lumps, pain, or discharge, and seeking professional help is recommended when in doubt.
6. Bone mineral density test: Women are frequently affected by osteoporosis, which weakens and makes their bones brittle. This condition worsens after menopause due to lower estrogen levels, which affects bone formation and maintenance. To identify the strength of the bone and the risk of fractures, women who have reached menopause or who have had a fracture are recommended to undergo a bone mineral density test called a DEXA scan. Experts suggest having this test every five years after a woman turns 40.

These six tests can play an important role in transforming the health of every mother’s life. Remember that prevention is definitely better than cure. In addition to these, hypertension, blood count, cholesterol, allergy test can also be included in the list. Therefore, early detection and being constantly aware of what is happening inside your body is always better.

(IANS entries)