Reminders to My Mature Adult Friends

Reminders For Mature Adults

The purpose of this article is to review health issues that I feel sure every adult knows but chooses not to think about.

Many of us put off going to the doctor as long as we can and for many this may be years.

When you finally break down and go to the doctor he can detect many ailments and issues from a blood test and treat you appropriately putting you back on your feet and back in your daily routine. That is great but now let me remind you of real problems that cannot be readily found with a routine checkup or a blood test.

1.   A clogged artery to or from your heart. I found that I had three heavily clogged arteries during a routine yearly physical examination during a treadmill test. Within weeks I had this repair made and behind me. Without the physical exam I would not be typing this article today. This procedure is covered by most insurance including Medicare. Something to think about.

2.    (AAA) Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm can be found by a simple screening that is quick and easy. When mine was found there was one large and a small one.

There was speculation by the doctor that I may have been carrying the larger one around for 8 to 10 years based on the normal growth rate. If this type aneurysm ruptures or tears you had better be on an operating table and opened up within 30 minutes for even a chance to survive. If it is found before a rupture there is a new and better way to repair the problem without having to open you up. A large stint better known as a graph can be inserted through the groin and threaded up through the aorta and connected to the aortic wall with metallic clips above and below the affected areas.

This acts like a blowout shoe inside a tire. It takes the pressure off of the ballooned area of the aorta. This procedure is covered by insurance and Medicare.  

Without testing you may never feel pain or have any idea that you may be close to your destiny.

3.    Colon Cancer is a very serious health problem that may require removal of a section of the intestine and further treatment(s) such as chemo or radiation. This is another health issue that is easily detected by having a colonoscopy. The preparation is worse than the testing procedure. The procedure only takes 30 to 45 minutes and maybe an hour in recovery. I personally am overdue for this one and know that I am taking a risk.

At my last colonoscopy some polyps were removed.

Please be aware of these risks and plan for a time to have this life saving procedure to be scheduled. Health insurance and Medicare will cover this testing.

4.    Pancreatitis is another ailment that can be detected by X-ray and possibly Ultrasound. This is an infection of the pancreas and curable with medication. Usually with this procedure an endoscopy will be scheduled to look around in the stomach for other ailments. In my case they found that I have Barrett Esophagus and that is another whole story. You must look this this up and read about this. I had absolutely no symptoms of any kind and it was found using MRI.  If you have a Medicare Handbook take a look at Medicare part B (Medical Insurance) and you will see a long list of tests that are covered. Do not sit back and think I will get checked when I have a bad pain as that may be too late. Maybe I am just nosy but I look at the obituaries almost every day and look to see the cause of death but it usually does not tell. Sometimes it may state that death was due to (an aneurysm but no further description as brain stomach or other, sometime time it will say natural death) So many people die prematurely due to their lack of attention to their own health needs or having routine doctors checkups as needed. It is always sad to hear someone say � I can�t believe he passed away, he hasn�t been to a doctor in 5 or 10 years and  he seemed so healthy�.

I hope this article will cause you to think more about

Your own body. It is the only one you have and I hope  you will take good care of it.

LG Mayberry

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