Health Screenings

Editor's Note: For more information on a convenient and affordable health screening location near you or to make an appointment, please call 1-800-783-0458. Just another way Osco Drug is working hard to make your life easier!

Every person wants to exercise and eat right and be healthy. Did you know that health screenings are an important part of being healthy? Many diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are silent. You may not even know you have a problem until it is too late. That's why knowing your numbers is crucial to living a healthy lifestyle and to preventing complications from several medical conditions.

Here are just a few examples:

Are you at risk for Diabetes?
Glucose

According to the American Diabetes Association, 18.2 million Americans have diabetes and 5.2 million do not know that they have it. Blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, is the amount of glucose in the blood. When certain foods are eaten the body breaks down the food and makes glucose. Your body uses this glucose for energy to carry out your daily activities. Everyone has some glucose in the blood. In diabetes, more than the normal amount of glucose stays in the blood. Measuring blood glucose levels can help in knowing if you have diabetes. If you are 45 or over, you should be tested at least every 3 years. If you are overweight or a member of certain ethnic groups you may need to be tested earlier.

Take care of your Diabetes
A1c

Testing your A1c tells how well your diabetes has been controlled. Even though you may have some high or low blood sugar values, an A1c will give you a picture of your average blood sugar over the last 3 months. Everyone affected with diabetes should have an A1c test at least twice a year. Lowering your A1c can reduce your risk of diabetes complications. If you do not have diabetes, you do not need this test.

How healthy is your heart?
Blood Pressure

Knowing your blood pressure is key for good heart health. It is important to make sure your blood pressure is at your goal to prevent complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and heart failure. A blood pressure measurement has two numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the top number and diastolic pressure is the bottom number. Normal blood pressure is 120/80. However, blood pressure goals may vary based on other conditions you may have. Most people should have a blood pressure reading less than 140/90. Many pharmacies offer free readings and cards to record your readings.

What's your lipid level?
Cholesterol Panel

There really are no warning signs for high cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a normal part of your blood and cells. You get cholesterol in two ways. Your body makes some of it, and the rest comes from the foods that you eat. Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body. When cholesterol builds up it can block your arteries causing chest pain, heart attack or stroke. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) advises that if you are older than 20 you should have your cholesterol tested. This test requires fasting (nothing to eat or drink except water for 12 hours before the test).

Detect prostate cancer early.
PSA (Prostate)

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers found in men in the United States. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by cells in the prostate. The PSA screening measures the level of PSA in the blood. Small amounts of PSA are usual in the bloodstream. These levels can increase with normal body functions. The amount of PSA in the blood can also increase with certain abnormal conditions which affect the prostate gland. Some of these conditions are infection, enlargement and/or cancer of the prostate. When caught early, prostate cancer is one of the most treatable and curable forms of cancer. The American Urologic Association recommends that all men 50 years and older get a yearly PSA blood test. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, or if you are African-American, the recommendation is to have the test every year after the age of 40.

Can't lose weight?
TSH (Thyroid)

Maybe it's not your fault... maybe it's your thyroid. Over 13 million people have a thyroid problem and don't know it. TSH or thyroid-stimulating hormone, is a hormone produced by your thyroid that helps keep your body's metabolism in balance. When your thyroid isn't working, you can't lose weight. A simple Thyroid Screening will tell you if your thyroid is working properly. Some symptoms of an under-active thyroid include: feeling tired, being sensitive to the cold, or having unexplained weight gain. Symptoms of over-active thyroid include: hot flashes, weight loss, trouble sleeping, and others. The American Thyroid Association recommends retesting every 5 years for people aged 35 and older.