Complete check-up to monitor your health

Having a complete check-up does not simply mean “getting some lab work done”. It means choosing to monitor your health in an informed way, before symptoms or obvious problems appear. Modern medicine relies more and more on prevention and early diagnosis, because many cardiovascular, metabolic, oncologic or kidney diseases can develop slowly and silently over years.

A complete check-up is a personalized program of clinical tests, specialist visits and diagnostic checks that makes it possible to assess how the body is working as a whole. There is no one-size-fits-all check-up: age, sex, family history, lifestyle, work, diet and clinical conditions all influence the choice of the most appropriate tests.

Within the NefroCenter Group, which includes clinical laboratories, diagnostic centers, cardiology centers and hospitals such as Rome American Hospital, prevention is one of the central tools of modern medicine. Through dedicated health days, specialist screenings and integrated pathways, it is possible to access complete check-ups designed for every age group and for different clinical needs.

Why have a complete check-up

Many of the major chronic diseases that are widespread in the population can remain without symptoms in their early stages. High blood pressure, diabetes, kidney failure, cardiovascular abnormalities, osteoporosis and some cancers can progress slowly without obvious signs.

The purpose of a check-up is precisely to catch any abnormalities before they cause significant damage.

Prevention makes it possible to:

• identify risk factors early;
• monitor the heart, kidneys, liver and metabolism;
• check blood glucose and cholesterol;
• prevent cardiovascular disease;
• detect cancer-related changes in their early stages;
• set up treatment plans promptly.

Today prevention is not just for older people. Younger adults with a sedentary lifestyle, high stress, smoking, excess weight or a family history of certain diseases can also benefit from regular checks.

Which tests to include in a complete check-up

The tests included in a complete check-up can vary depending on the patient’s clinical picture, but there are some assessments considered essential to get a general overview of your health.

Blood and urine tests

Blood chemistry tests are the starting point of any prevention program. They make it possible to assess metabolism, kidney function, electrolyte balance and cardiovascular risk.

The most commonly requested tests include:

• complete blood count;
• blood glucose;
• creatinine;
• blood urea nitrogen (BUN);
• bilirubin;
• HDL and LDL cholesterol;
• triglycerides;
• transaminases (AST and ALT);
• protein profile;
• serum iron;
• sodium and potassium;
• urinalysis.

These values help identify metabolic abnormalities, inflammation, anemia, diabetes or kidney problems even in their early stages.

To learn more about prevention programs and the tests available, you can visit the official website of the NefroCenter Group.

Cardiology check-up: your heart should be checked even without symptoms

Cardiovascular diseases remain among the leading causes of death. For this reason, a cardiology check is one of the most important elements of prevention.

A cardiology check-up can include:

• specialist cardiology visit;
• electrocardiogram (ECG);
• echocardiogram;
• vascular color Doppler ultrasound, where needed.

Conditions such as high blood pressure, arrhythmias or early heart changes can in fact be present even in people who appear healthy.

The cardiology centers of the NefroCenter Group offer integrated cardiovascular prevention programs with advanced diagnostic technology.

Hearing checks and ENT prevention

Prevention also covers the health of your hearing and upper airways.

An ear, nose and throat (ENT) visit can include:

• audiometry (hearing test);
• tympanometry (middle-ear impedance test);
• specialist ENT evaluation.

Hearing loss often develops slowly and can affect quality of life, social relationships and cognitive abilities, especially with advancing age.

Eye exam: prevention means protecting your eyesight

Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma or retinal degeneration, can progress without early symptoms.

For this reason a complete check-up should include:

• eye exam;
• visual acuity test;
• eye pressure test (tonometry).

Regularly checking eye pressure makes it possible to prevent permanent damage to the optic nerve.

Oral health and dental prevention

The health of the mouth is also closely linked to overall well-being.

A dental visit makes it possible to:

• check teeth and gums;
• identify cavities and infections;
• monitor any lesions in the mouth;
• prevent gum problems that are also linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

To learn more about the Group’s dental services, you can visit Dental RAH.

How often to have a complete check-up

How often you should be checked depends on your age and personal risk factors.

Up to age 30

In the absence of significant diseases or family history, it is generally recommended to have a complete check-up about once a year.

This stage of life is important for building a culture of prevention and for monitoring:

• blood pressure;
• metabolism;
• kidney function;
• lifestyle.

Between ages 30 and 40

From age 30 onward, the first metabolic or cardiovascular risk factors often begin to appear.

In this age group it is useful to add:

• dermatology visit;
• mole check;
• abdominal ultrasound;
• gastroenterology visit.

Dermatological prevention is particularly important for monitoring melanoma and skin lesions.

Check-ups after age 40: prevention changes

After age 40 the risk of many chronic diseases increases. This is the time when the check-up should become more structured and regular.

For men

After age 40 the following become particularly important:

• PSA;
• prostate ultrasound;
• urology visit.

Prostate screening makes it possible to monitor any changes in the prostate at an early stage.

For women

For women the following become essential:

• gynecological visit;
• Pap test;
• HPV test;
• mammography;
• breast ultrasound;
• breast specialist visit.

Early diagnosis is one of the most effective tools against cancers in women.

For checks dedicated to women’s health, you can learn more about the programs of the Women’s Center at Casa di Salute Santa Lucia.

After age 50: cancer and bone prevention

As we age, cancer prevention plays an even more central role.

Colonoscopy and colorectal cancer prevention

From age 50, colonoscopy or screening programs based on fecal occult blood testing are recommended.

Colorectal cancer is among the cancers that can be most effectively prevented, thanks to the early detection of polyps and early lesions.

To learn more about intestinal prevention, you can also read:

• FIT: the new method for the fecal occult blood test

Bone densitometry and osteoporosis

After age 50 to 60 it is useful to have a bone densitometry (MOC, computerized bone mineral density test) to assess bone density and prevent osteoporosis.

This check is particularly important for women after menopause.

Pulmonology visit and spirometry

For smokers or people with respiratory symptoms, the following are also recommended:

• pulmonology visit;
• spirometry.

Respiratory prevention makes it possible to catch chronic lung disease and lung abnormalities early.

Check-ups after age 70

As we age, the goals of prevention change.

After age 70 it is important to assess:

• cognitive status;
• functional independence;
• risk of falls;
• nutritional balance;
• cardiovascular status.

A geriatric visit makes it possible to set up personalized plans aimed at maintaining quality of life and independence.

Differences between men’s and women’s check-ups

Men and women have different preventive needs because some diseases differ in frequency, presentation and risk factors.

Men’s prevention

In men, prevention focuses mainly on:

• the prostate;
• cardiovascular risk;
• metabolism;
• vascular health.

Women’s prevention

In women the following are especially important:

• gynecological health;
• breast health screening;
• osteoporosis;
• hormonal monitoring.

Modern prevention is personalized

One of the most common mistakes is to think that a check-up is the same for everyone.

Today preventive medicine is built around the patient. Family history, work, stress, smoking, physical activity and previous illnesses all influence the choice of the most appropriate tests.

For this reason the NefroCenter Group’s programs focus on:

• multidisciplinary prevention;
• integrated diagnostics;
• personalized medicine;
• programs built around the patient’s real needs.

Where to have a complete check-up

Having a check-up in specialized facilities means you can count on:

• fast reporting of results;
• integrated pathways;
• advanced diagnostic technology;
• multidisciplinary specialists;
• immediate follow-up tests where needed.

The NefroCenter Group, through its laboratories, diagnostic centers and hospitals, offers complete prevention programs for men and women of all ages.