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Medical Tests for Your 60s and Up
You deserve to feel good. Just because you are over 60, don't think you can't be independent, vital and healthy. Just look at Sean Connery or Jane Fonda!
But do you know what to do to stay healthy? The United States Preventive Services Task Force has put together the following recommendations to keep seniors healthy, happy, and safe. These are simple medical tests that can be done or ordered when you visit your regular doctor. Your doctor may recommend additional tests based on your personal health profile.
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. You could be one of millions
of Americans who have high blood pressure and don't know it. Get your
blood pressure checked by your doctor at least once a year. Your heart, not to
mention your arteries, brain, eyes, and kidneys, will thank you later.
-
. Welcome to the weight
gain triple whammy: muscle is replaced by fat as we get older. Then, that fat
goes to your waist! Also, you don't burn calories as well as before because
your body's metabolism is slowing down. Take heed of any weight gain; you could
be robbing yourself of good health.
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. Dread it, hate it, joke with your friends about it.
Just make sure you get one -- every year. The rectal exam and a fecal occult
blood test (FOBT) will tell if there are any masses or subtle bleeding that can
not be seen with the naked eye. Along with other medical tests your doctor may
recommend, it may give clues to treatable problems in your colon (think colon
cancer) or prostate for men.
-
. Katie Couric got hers on national TV.
Colonoscopy is just one of several tests that can be performed to look for
colon cancer. A colonoscopy should be done every 10 years beginning at age 50.
You may need to have a colonoscopy earlier and more frequently if you have risk
factors. Talk to your doctor to see what's best for you.
-
. Know this: breast cancer risk
increases with age. Therefore, it's especially important for you to get that
annual mammogram and doctor's breast exam. A mammogram is recommended every one
to two years starting at age 40 or 50. Not all breast cancer experts agree.
Talk to your doctor about when you should begin regular mammograms.
-
. You may think it's crazy, but many
women over 60 still need to get regular pelvic exams and Pap smears. Women over
60 can get cervical cancer or vaginal cancer. And the pelvic exam can detect a
host of other conditions that may affect your health and quality of life (think
incontinence!). Pap smears are recommended for women every three years. If a
woman is over 65 years old and has had three negative pap smears in a row or
has had a total hysterectomy, a pap smear can be omitted.
-
. Eye diseases, such as
macular degeneration and glaucoma, are common with age. Your eyes should be
checked every one to two years after the age of 65. Screening can preserve and
maximize your vision. Go more often if you have vision problems.
-
. At least 30% of people over 60
have some hearing loss, most of which is treatable. Get a hearing test at least
once every three years.
-
. Osteoporosis is no joke. If you have it and you suffer a
fracture -- especially of the hip -- you've significantly increased your risk
of permanent disability or death. Get serious and ask your doctor to refer you
for a bone density test. Women should have a bone density test at age 65. If a
woman is at a higher risk, a screening test should be done at age 60.
- Cholesterol Screening. High cholesterol levels are a major reason why
people have heart attacks and strokes. The good news, though, is that high
cholesterol levels can be treated by diet and medications. That is why
measuring your levels of total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol (good
cholesterol) is important to do regularly.
- . People over 65 should get a pneumococcal vaccine to protect against pneumonia. Anyone over 50 should get a yearly flu shot. A tetanus booster is recommended every 10 years.
WebMD Medical Reference
Healthy Aging Guide
Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
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