WORTHINGTON Annual wellness checks can save lives, help people avoid health scares and catch small problems before they become major health issues, as a Worthington man learned recently.

Jose Estanisla Aguirre went to Sanford Worthington Clinic for a routine physical that included a blood test in 2018, and learned he was prediabetic. Prediabetes often doesnt have any symptoms, and while it can lead to diabetes, it doesnt always.

It was a small change, at first. Aguirre worked nights, and he started feeling thirsty a lot of the time. Hed drink two whole bottles of water a night, and then it started getting worse. He was up to drinking five whole bottles of water a night, and still felt thirsty on his half-hour drive to work every night.

I say this is not normal, I gotta go see a doctor, he recalled.

Aguirre visited the clinic in January 2021, where they did more lab work and found he had indeed become diabetic. He was prescribed two medications, but had a reaction to one, which was then stopped. Aguirre also began some home remedies, like eating vegetable smoothies in the morning, and got his blood sugar back down.

He hasnt lost a lot of weight, but hes switched to working days rather than nights, which has helped. He feels better, and his stress levels have gone down too.

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And Im more active too, at home, he said.

Now he advises people to make sure to have their annual physicals and screenings.

Detecting it early can help to better control illness, Aguirre said. If they wait, sometimes its too late. It will take more to heal or recover.

His primary physician, Dr. Charles Dike, said its pretty common that people dont follow up with their annual wellness checks and screenings, particularly when they arent having any symptoms which is common with issues like prediabetes and high blood pressure.

It takes time, costs money to see a provider, so its not something that people like to do, especially in situations where they work during the day, Dike explained. And they cant afford to take some time off and see a provider for something theyre not even sure exists.

Annual physicals are important, but depending on peoples age and gender, there are other screenings too. Men age 45 and older need to be screened for colon cancer, and when they reach age 50, they should also be checked specifically for prostate cancer, Dike said.

Women need cervical cancer screenings every three years, starting at age 21, then every five years after that. Mammograms are annual starting at age 40, but those at high risk may need to start them sooner. And they, too, need colorectal cancer screenings.

But even before that, in their 20s, people need to get those routine physicals so they can be screened for diabetes, lipid disorders and thyroid issues.

That will help to catch some of these preventable or treatable diseases early, and that will minimize complications of those diseases, Dike said. And they will be counseled on weight, diet, exercise and things that will help you improve your health outcomes.

Those screenings are for people who are healthy, too.

Everyone should realize that its safer, better, cheaper to make time to see your provider at least once a year. It really is helpful it is. If you dont need to be seen every year, the provider will tell you, Dike said.

Excerpt from:
Regular health screenings can save lives, even for the young and healthy - The Globe