Take the annual checkup seriously
Dec 30, 2007
MANY people have battled serious illnesses this year. Worse still, most Ugandans have shunned visiting health centres. But as we get into the new year, health should be a priority, thus the need for the annual checkup.
By Frederick Womakuyu
MANY people have battled serious illnesses this year. Worse still, most Ugandans have shunned visiting health centres. But as we get into the new year, health should be a priority, thus the need for the annual checkup.
Many educated people know they should have an annual checkup, but a few get it. When you go for a checkup (every year), do you have the complete one? Do you understand the tests and examinations carried out?
Do you know whom to see? Is it necessary to have an annual checkup? How much would you pay for the checkup? Many people will answer ‘no’ to at least one of these questions.
Why you need the checkup
Dr. John Tumusiime of Medecins Sans Frontiers says: “Many people believe that hospital is meant only for the sick, so they neglect their annual checkups,†he adds.
“Regular checkups identify potential risk factors and medical problems early and prevent potentially serious illnesses. A checkup also manages your risk profile and promotes a healthier lifestyle as well as a quality life.†He stresses that checkups:
Target, reduce and eliminate health problems.
Discover potential health problems.
Promote good health.
Facilitate and prompt expert and compassionate treatment of injuries and diseases.
When to take the checkup
Tumusiime says each test or programme must be flexible and accessible to the public. “If you are unsure about what tests are suitable for you, ask the person attending to you,†he says.
What test should you do?
Tumusiime says the procedure involves registering at a health centre and filling in a survey form with information on your (or family’s) medical history. This information provides health risks and gives the doctor information on one’s health.
One goes to the various departments like the laboratory and X-ray, depending on the tests.
Dr. Helen Namutebi of Nsambya Hospital says: “Most reputable hospitals offer basic or routine tests and advanced programmes. She adds that health experts recommend checkups every three years for people under 40 years, every two-three years between 40 and 50 years and annually for 50-year-olds and above.
Routine tests for adults below 40
Blood pressure should be checked at every visit to the doctor.
Height: Significant loss of height may indicate acceleration of osteoporosis. Height is lost as a result of comprehension of the spinal cord.
Weight: Significant loss or gain of weight may spell health problems. Weight gain can mean fluid retention that causes heart, liver or kidney diseases. Weight loss could also indicate infection or cancer.
Blood test: Every year, a blood count is necessary to; rule out bleeding, detect diabetes, thyroid disorder or kidney and early heart problems.
Chest X-ray: The amount of radiation that occurs during a chest X-ray is not harmful and is useful in detecting lung cancer, tuberculosis and emphysema.
Fecal occult blood test: This is when one’s stool is put into a container and tests are carried out. “This test should also be done annually. Blood in the stool can be an early indication of colorectal cancer,†says Dr. Halima Ahmed of Ahamadiya Hospital in Mbale.
“Other tests should be done on urine, the blood group, lipid profile, uric acid and liver as well kidney functions.â€
Additional information:
“You should not eat or drink at least 10 hours prior to the checkup. This helps to rule out false readings. Appointments are not necessary if you go to Mulago Hospital at 9:00am from Monday to Friday.
At any other time, contact the hospital to arrange an appointment. When registering, indicate that you require a checkup,†Tumusiime advises.
Namutebi says one should also have a dental and eye checkup regularly. She says at a patient’s request, test results can be kept in one’s medical file. You can also be given your results if you ask for them.
Tumusiime says in most private clinics, the consultation fee ranges from sh5,000-sh100,000 depending on the test or checkup.
In public hospitals, the check up is free, but due to corruption and lack of facilities, many people pay for the services.
Tests for men
Prostate exam: Dr. Daniel Kamya of Mulago Hospital says a doctor inserts the index finger into the rectum to observe its size. At the age of 50, a man should have a digital exam of his prostate glands. Enlargement could indicate cancer.
Prostate specific antigen
Is an investigation test done on the abdomen to detect cancer. A finger is inserted into the rectum and if one feels pain, this may be a sign of prostate cancer or another problem. If the pain is a lot, a biopsy is done. Other tests for men aged 50 include;
Exercise stress test: Here, a patient is examined and may be encouraged to run, especially early in the morning and late in the evening. Dr Kamya says this test is free at Mulago Hospital.
The electro cardiogram test: This is done at least every two-three years, or more often. It assesses the heart’s function. Kamya says gadgets are attached on the body as the electro cardiogram machine indicates the readings. The test costs sh5,000 at the private wing in Mulago, but is free in the general wards.
Abdominal ultra sound: The ultra sound machine is passed on the abdomen to scan the inside. The test costs sh15,000 at the private wing in Mulago, but is free in the general wards.
Chest x-ray: This is where high velocity rays are sent through the chest to determine its state. The test detects obstacles in the chest. Kamya says it costs sh10,000 at Mulago.
Tests for Women
Tests for women include:
Mamogram: This is an x-ray of the breast. It can detect breast cancer even in its infancy. “It is recommended that this test be done yearly for females aged 40 and above. A monthly breast exam should also be done. A physician can teach one how to perform this test,†says Namutebi. It is free at the Mulago general ward and costs sh10,000 in the private wing.
Cervical cancer examination: These tests should be done every three years or yearly. It involves the doctor taking a smear of cells
from the cervix.
These are tested in the lab for cancer cells. A midwife can also visually inspect the cervix with acetric acid to check for cancer. The test is free at Mulago Hospital.
Measurement of bone mass: This involves measuring the mineral density of the bones. A low mineral density indicates osteoporosis. According to Ahmed, there is no frequency for this test. Women with a family or personal history that puts them at higher risk of osteoporosis should have this test done regularly.
She says routine health examinations for asymptomatic adults vary with age and sex; however personal, family and social history also play a major role. It is free at Mulago.
MANY people have battled serious illnesses this year. Worse still, most Ugandans have shunned visiting health centres. But as we get into the new year, health should be a priority, thus the need for the annual checkup.
Many educated people know they should have an annual checkup, but a few get it. When you go for a checkup (every year), do you have the complete one? Do you understand the tests and examinations carried out?
Do you know whom to see? Is it necessary to have an annual checkup? How much would you pay for the checkup? Many people will answer ‘no’ to at least one of these questions.
Why you need the checkup
Dr. John Tumusiime of Medecins Sans Frontiers says: “Many people believe that hospital is meant only for the sick, so they neglect their annual checkups,†he adds.
“Regular checkups identify potential risk factors and medical problems early and prevent potentially serious illnesses. A checkup also manages your risk profile and promotes a healthier lifestyle as well as a quality life.†He stresses that checkups:
Target, reduce and eliminate health problems.
Discover potential health problems.
Promote good health.
Facilitate and prompt expert and compassionate treatment of injuries and diseases.
When to take the checkup
Tumusiime says each test or programme must be flexible and accessible to the public. “If you are unsure about what tests are suitable for you, ask the person attending to you,†he says.
What test should you do?
Tumusiime says the procedure involves registering at a health centre and filling in a survey form with information on your (or family’s) medical history. This information provides health risks and gives the doctor information on one’s health.
One goes to the various departments like the laboratory and X-ray, depending on the tests.
Dr. Helen Namutebi of Nsambya Hospital says: “Most reputable hospitals offer basic or routine tests and advanced programmes. She adds that health experts recommend checkups every three years for people under 40 years, every two-three years between 40 and 50 years and annually for 50-year-olds and above.
Routine tests for adults below 40
Blood pressure should be checked at every visit to the doctor.
Height: Significant loss of height may indicate acceleration of osteoporosis. Height is lost as a result of comprehension of the spinal cord.
Weight: Significant loss or gain of weight may spell health problems. Weight gain can mean fluid retention that causes heart, liver or kidney diseases. Weight loss could also indicate infection or cancer.
Blood test: Every year, a blood count is necessary to; rule out bleeding, detect diabetes, thyroid disorder or kidney and early heart problems.
Chest X-ray: The amount of radiation that occurs during a chest X-ray is not harmful and is useful in detecting lung cancer, tuberculosis and emphysema.
Fecal occult blood test: This is when one’s stool is put into a container and tests are carried out. “This test should also be done annually. Blood in the stool can be an early indication of colorectal cancer,†says Dr. Halima Ahmed of Ahamadiya Hospital in Mbale.
“Other tests should be done on urine, the blood group, lipid profile, uric acid and liver as well kidney functions.â€
Additional information:
“You should not eat or drink at least 10 hours prior to the checkup. This helps to rule out false readings. Appointments are not necessary if you go to Mulago Hospital at 9:00am from Monday to Friday.
At any other time, contact the hospital to arrange an appointment. When registering, indicate that you require a checkup,†Tumusiime advises.
Namutebi says one should also have a dental and eye checkup regularly. She says at a patient’s request, test results can be kept in one’s medical file. You can also be given your results if you ask for them.
Tumusiime says in most private clinics, the consultation fee ranges from sh5,000-sh100,000 depending on the test or checkup.
In public hospitals, the check up is free, but due to corruption and lack of facilities, many people pay for the services.
Tests for men
Prostate exam: Dr. Daniel Kamya of Mulago Hospital says a doctor inserts the index finger into the rectum to observe its size. At the age of 50, a man should have a digital exam of his prostate glands. Enlargement could indicate cancer.
Prostate specific antigen
Is an investigation test done on the abdomen to detect cancer. A finger is inserted into the rectum and if one feels pain, this may be a sign of prostate cancer or another problem. If the pain is a lot, a biopsy is done. Other tests for men aged 50 include;
Exercise stress test: Here, a patient is examined and may be encouraged to run, especially early in the morning and late in the evening. Dr Kamya says this test is free at Mulago Hospital.
The electro cardiogram test: This is done at least every two-three years, or more often. It assesses the heart’s function. Kamya says gadgets are attached on the body as the electro cardiogram machine indicates the readings. The test costs sh5,000 at the private wing in Mulago, but is free in the general wards.
Abdominal ultra sound: The ultra sound machine is passed on the abdomen to scan the inside. The test costs sh15,000 at the private wing in Mulago, but is free in the general wards.
Chest x-ray: This is where high velocity rays are sent through the chest to determine its state. The test detects obstacles in the chest. Kamya says it costs sh10,000 at Mulago.
Tests for Women
Tests for women include:
Mamogram: This is an x-ray of the breast. It can detect breast cancer even in its infancy. “It is recommended that this test be done yearly for females aged 40 and above. A monthly breast exam should also be done. A physician can teach one how to perform this test,†says Namutebi. It is free at the Mulago general ward and costs sh10,000 in the private wing.
Cervical cancer examination: These tests should be done every three years or yearly. It involves the doctor taking a smear of cells
from the cervix.
These are tested in the lab for cancer cells. A midwife can also visually inspect the cervix with acetric acid to check for cancer. The test is free at Mulago Hospital.
Measurement of bone mass: This involves measuring the mineral density of the bones. A low mineral density indicates osteoporosis. According to Ahmed, there is no frequency for this test. Women with a family or personal history that puts them at higher risk of osteoporosis should have this test done regularly.
She says routine health examinations for asymptomatic adults vary with age and sex; however personal, family and social history also play a major role. It is free at Mulago.