These are the health screenings you shouldn’t be missing

During the COVID-19 pandemic, regular use of the healthcare system dropped dramatically. Reasons for this range from Canadians being fearful of exposure to COVID, while others didn’t want to overwhelm the system.

However, according to Dr. Scott Gledhill, doctor’s offices and hospitals have taken measures to ensure they’re safe from increasing exposure to the coronavirus.  See below for some of his recommended health screenings, and watch the video clip above for more. 

Virtual appointments

A major lesson we learned from the pandemic is the effectiveness of virtual care. Much of the routine screening and chronic disease maintenance can be done effectively through periodic virtual assessments. Blood work and diagnostic. Testing can be arranged and reviewed virtually without having to enter a clinic. 

Dr. Gledhill says addressing acute symptomatic healthcare issues is trickier, but can often be done with a mix of virtual and in-person appointments.

Chronic disease maintenance

These are just a few of the chronic conditions that people have been ignoring in the last year. These require periodic check-in and assessment for treatment optimization and reduction of long-term harm.

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• Chronic kidney disease

• Thyroid function

• Obesity

• High blood pressure

• Autoimmune disease (such as Crohn’s or Rheumatoid arthritis) 

Routine health checks

It's time to resume routine screening of healthy individuals. Early detection of abnormalities and risk factors can allow for interventions that reduce heart disease and stroke.

Important checks for both men and women:

• Blood pressure assessment

• Cholesterol profile

• Blood sugar

• Immunization review

• Osteoporosis screening (60 and older)

• Colonoscopy (depending on age and family history)

• Optometrist eye exams

For women:

• Breast cancer screening with regular mammogram 

• Pap test at least every three years

For men:

• Prostate cancer screening

Watch the video clip above for more of Dr. Gledhill’s tips on managing our health. 

The information provided on the show is for general information purposes only. If you have a health problem, medical emergency, or a general health question, you should contact a physician or other qualified health care provider for consultation, diagnosis and/or treatment. Under no circumstances should you attempt self-diagnosis or treatment based on anything you have seen on the show.