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Every year, a cost-effective baseline health check is recommended, including main disorders such as cardiac, respiratory, diabetes, and kidney. The examination involves abdominal ultrasounds, CT scans of various body parts, and other important studies.

A personal physician will call you before the medical exam to schedule appointments and determine if you have any unique health concerns. The doctor will perform the medical examination, then send you the results along with advice for your ongoing health and follow-up.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the easiest and quick procedures for assessing the heart. Electrodes (tiny, sticky plastic patches) are applied to certain areas of the chest, arms, and legs. Lead wires attach the electrodes to an ECG machine. The heart's electrical impulses are then recorded, interpreted, and printed. There are no electrical impulses sent into the body.

Natural electrical impulses help maintain blood flowing properly by coordinating contractions in different areas of the heart. These impulses are recorded by an ECG, which shows how rapidly the heart is beating, the rhythm of the heartbeats (steady or irregular), and the strength and timing of the electrical impulses as they travel through the various parts of the heart. Many heart diseases can be detected by changes in an ECG.

ECG Indications

An ECG may be recommended by a doctor for persons who are at risk of heart disease due to a family history of heart disease, smoking, being overweight, or having diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.

If a person is experiencing symptoms like these, they may prescribe an ECG:

• Chest pain (Angina)
• Breathing difficulties
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Irregular or rapid heartbeats (palpitations).

ECGs are frequently used to monitor the health of persons who have been diagnosed with heart disease, evaluate artificial cardiac pacemakers, and assess the effects of specific medications on the heart.

ECG Procedure

There is no need to fast or restrict your diet before an ECG examination. Before having an ECG, tell your doctor what drugs you're taking and if you have any allergies to the adhesive tapes that may be used to connect electrodes.

You will need to remove your upper clothing for an ECG exam so that electrodes may be attached to your chest and extremities. Wearing a separate shirt with pants or a skirt allows for simple chest exposure. Because the underwire in a bra can interfere with ECG readings, you may be asked to take it out before the test.

When using an ECG, make sure your skin is clean, dry, and free of oils and moisturizers. Hair restricts the electrodes from making appropriate contact with the skin, so the selected locations are shaved if required.

Electrodes or sticky gel are put on the chest, arms, and legs. The electrocardiograph monitors and records the electrical currents generated by the heart using these electrodes.

The three most common ECG forms are:

• Resting ECG. This form of ECG requires you to lie down. Electrical impulses produced by other muscles may interfere with those generated by your heart, so no movement is permitted during the test. This form of ECG takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
• Ambulatory ECG. If you get an ambulatory or Holter ECG, you will be required to wear portable recording equipment for at least 24 hours. While the monitor is connected, you are free to move around freely. This form of ECG is useful for persons with intermittent (stop-start) symptoms that may not show up on a resting ECG, as well as for people recovering after myocardial infarction to confirm that their heart is operating properly. You keep a diary of your symptoms and when they arise so that your own experience can be matched to the ECG.
• Exercise stress test (EST). this test records your ECG as you walk on a treadmill or ride an exercise bike. This form of ECG takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Abdominal Ultrasound

An abdominal ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging procedure. It lets your doctor examine your abdomen (often known as your stomach or belly) without requiring surgery. The stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder are all contained within the abdomen. The primary artery that supplies blood from your heart (aorta), the large vein that brings blood to your heart (inferior vena cava), and all of its branches are contained inside it. It also houses your muscles and spine.

An abdominal ultrasound is a risk-free procedure. The test may only cause minor discomfort. People of all ages are subjected to it. A medical technician uses a wand to move a handheld device across your tummy. An ultrasound machine is attached to the wand. High-frequency sound waves are produced while the technician slides the wand around your tummy. These sound waves produce images and videos of the inside of your abdomen in real-time. The images resemble those of an X-ray. Ultrasound, on the other hand, detects things that an X-ray misses.

The technician will apply a tiny amount of transparent gel to your stomach before beginning the procedure. This makes it easier to move the wand. The gel may be cold.

Abdominal Ultrasound Indications

The doctor may recommend abdominal ultrasound in a variety of cases:

• Diagnostic test. Ultrasound imaging is used to diagnose a range of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, uterus, ovaries, eyes, thyroid, and testicles, among other organs and soft tissues of the body. Sound waves cannot pass effectively through dense bone or regions of the body that may store air or gas, such as the colon, therefore, ultrasounds have certain diagnostic disadvantages.
• During medical operations. Ultrasound imaging can aid doctors with procedures such as needle biopsies, which involve the removal of tissue from a highly specific location inside the body for laboratory testing.
• Therapeutic applications. Soft-tissue injuries are sometimes detected and treated with ultrasounds.

Abdominal Ultrasound Procedure

A radiologist performs the test. This is a doctor who has specialized training in the use and interpretation of imaging tests. The test is sometimes performed by an ultrasound technologist (sonographer). In that instance, a radiologist will supervise the procedure. In a hospital or doctor's office, the test is performed in an ultrasound room.

It's possible that you'll have to remove your jewelry. You may also be required to remove all or part of your clothing. It depends on the area being studied. During the test, you will be provided with a cloth or sheet to cover yourself with.

On a padded exam table, you will lie on your back (or side). To help the sound waves function effectively, a warm gel will be applied to your belly or back. The transducer, a small handheld device, is placed on your abdomen.

You may be asked to adjust your position so that further scans can be performed. You may be asked to lie on your tummy for a kidney ultrasound.

During the test, you must remain completely motionless. During the test, you may be instructed to take a deep breath and hold it for several seconds. This improves the visibility of organs and structures for the person performing the exam.

Gastroscopy

A gastroscopy (stomach examination) can either confirm or exclude medical disorders such as gastritis or peptic ulcers.  A gastroscopy is used to examine the inside of the food pipe (esophagus), the stomach, and a portion of the duodenum (the first part of the intestine) during this surgery.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may need a gastroscopy:

• Heartburn that is chronic or recurrent, nausea, or vomiting.
• Long-lasting nausea.
• Stomach ache.
• Having difficulty swallowing.
• Blood in your stool or black stools.
• Weight reduction without apparent cause.
• Suspected peptic ulcer.
• Suspected esophageal or stomach cancer.
• A checkup following stomach surgery.

A gastroscope is a flexible tube with a tiny light and a video camera at the tip. The video camera's images are displayed on a screen. By putting devices such as small pincers into the tube, tissue samples can be taken. It can also be used to remove air and fluids from the body.

Gastroscopy Procedure

Your mouth and throat will be anesthetized with an anesthetic spray just before the gastroscopy. Any detachable dentures must be removed before the procedure. A sedative may be administered to you. Propofol and midazolam are the most regularly used sedatives for this reason. They are administered into a vein and provide brief sedation.

Gastroscopy usually takes between 5 and 10 minutes. Normally, you will sleep on your left side. To keep your mouth open and avoid biting the gastroscope, a tiny tube or protective ring is placed between your teeth. To allow the gastroscope to enter your esophagus (food pipe), you must first swallow. Then it's inserted slowly into your stomach and down to the duodenum's entry.

Your doctor can check your food pipe and stomach lining using video images to search for redness or inflammation. On the screen, things like bleeding, varicose veins, extremely narrow passages, and stomach ulcers can be seen. A tissue sample will be collected if needed. This is not a painful experience.

During the procedure, bleeding, unusually tiny passages, and certain medical disorders can be treated.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a non-invasive technique that examines the inside of your large intestine (colon and rectum). A colonoscope (sometimes called a scope) is used to perform the inspection. This long, flexible tool has a camera and the ability to extract tissue (you will not feel the tissue being taken). A colonoscopy is frequently performed to assess gastrointestinal symptoms such as bleeding, abdominal pain, or changes in bowel habits (how often you poop, how easily you poop, and the color and consistency of your poop).

If you have an increased risk of colon cancer, you may need a colonoscopy at a younger age. Some risk factors include:

• Having a family history of polyposis (a condition that develops in your family and is related to an increased risk of forming polyps).
• Having a colon cancer-related genetic disease.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis).
• Having colon cancer in first-degree relatives (that is, your mom or father, brother or sister, or child).
• Having a family history of colorectal cancer.

Colonoscopy Procedure

A thin, illuminated tube is passed through your anus and rectum and into your colon by your physician. You are given a sedative and pain medication before the procedure to make you more relaxed. A tiny camera is attached to the colonoscopy tube. As the tube passes through your colon, it gives your physician images of the inside. The doctor can also use the tube to take a small sample of tissue to analyze afterward. A biopsy is a procedure that involves taking this type of sample.

Abdominal Pelvic CT

A computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan of your abdomen and pelvis has been recommended by your doctor. CT scans provide detailed images of your body using X-ray technology and advanced computer processing. A CT scan of the belly and pelvis can reveal issues with the bladder, uterus, prostate, liver, and bowels. The imaging center at any hospital or medical facility has a staff of experts that specialize in taking and interpreting CT scans.

Abdominal Pelvic CT Procedure

The following are step by step order of this test:

• The technician will describe your procedure and respond to questions you may have while placing you on the examination table.
• If you need contrast, it may be administered through an intravenous (IV) injection.
• A warm sensation all over your body and a metallic taste in your mouth are possible side effects of the dye. This is very normal.
• Pruritus (itching), sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy throat, or puffiness of the face should all be reported to the technologist immediately.
• The most frequent question is for you to lie flat on your back with your arms above your head.
• Your table will be slid into the scanner. You can see the scanner from both the back and the front. During your exam, the technologist will always be able to observe and hear you.
• You will be instructed to remain completely still and hold your breath at moments.
• This procedure takes about 15-30 minutes on average.

Chest X-ray

A chest X-ray examines your heart, lungs, and bones using a targeted beam of radiation. Chest X-rays are used by doctors to identify and treat illnesses like pneumonia, emphysema, and COPD. Chest X-rays are noninvasive and rapid examinations. Within one to two days, you should have the report of your X-ray.

Chest X-rays assist doctors in determining the origin of symptoms in your heart or lungs. These are some of the symptoms:

• Chest discomfort.
• Persistent cough.
• Trouble breathing.
• Fever and other infection signs.

A chest X-ray may also be recommended by your healthcare professional to diagnose or monitor certain health concerns, such as:

• Congestive heart failure.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema.
• Cancer of the lung.
• Pneumonia.
• Injuries to the ribcage.

Chest X-ray Procedure

At your doctor's office, you can change into a medical gown. All metals, such as spectacles, jewelry, or hairpins, will be asked to be removed by the X-ray technologist.

An X-ray of your chest usually has two parts:

• Your chest is pressed against the X-ray machine's metal plate, and your hands are on your hips. This position creates a picture of your front chest.
• You stand with your back against the X-ray machine's metal plate and your arms in the air. The picture of your side of the chest is produced in this position.

You must remain completely still and hold your breath during the chest X-ray. The X-ray image can be obscured by any movement, including breathing in and out.

Low-Dose Chest CT

A computed tomography (CT) scan is useful for cancer detection, diagnosis, staging, and treatment. A CT scan produces detailed imaging slices of organs, bones, and other tissues. These slices, when combined on a computer, create a high-quality 3D image of sections inside the body, allowing your medical team to detect subtle abnormalities.

As a kind of X-ray, CT involves ionizing radiation. Although the dose of radiation emitted by a CT scan isn't much more than that emitted by space and naturally occurring radioactive compounds like radon, even little levels of exposure can increase the risk of cancer in the future.

As a result, your doctor may suggest that technicians utilize the lowest dose possible to get the desired findings when ordering a CT scan. Your doctor may also order a low-dose CT (LDCT), which can be modified to emit up to five times less radiation than a full-dose or conventional CT scan, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality states:

• The radiation dose from an LDCT scan is 1.4 millisieverts (mSv). (mSv is the scientific unit for measuring ionizing radiation).
• A standard diagnostic CT scan yields 7 millisieverts.
• In the United States, a person's typical annual baseline radiation exposure is 3 to 5 mSv.

Low-Dose Chest CT Procedure

You may be instructed to lie flat on the scanning table as the procedure begins. To keep you still during the examination, you may be strapped in and provided with pillows. You may be asked to hold your breath for five to ten seconds at a time by a professional.

You may be asked to lift your hands over your head for a lung LDCT.

The exam table moves through the scanner during the scan, allowing the X-ray beam to rotate around you.

The scan should take no more than a few minutes. Setting up beforehand of time may lengthen the session.

The layered images are recorded and combined by a computer to create 3D images for the doctor to evaluate. Your doctor may receive an official report from the radiologist that includes an interpretation of the images.

Conclusion

Periodic Checkup for health concerns is better than having a disease and then spending on treating it. Checkup tests are helpful tools to screen for different health issues.