The changes that occur inwardly- your digestive and respiratory systems- should be monitored carefully and routinely through diagnostic tests and checkups. Getting diagnostic tests helps to detect any lurking diseases or conditions early enough.

Some diagnostic tests cost more than others, however, you can book affordable diagnostic tests through the DRO Health app.

In this post, you’ll learn about 7 important diagnostic tests every adult should take. These tests are vital to your wellbeing and shouldn’t be ignored.

1. Blood pressure test:

A blood pressure test is bound to save your heart from a log of future health complications like a heart attack, stroke, heart disease, and others. Your blood pressure is connected to the most vital organs in the human body – The heart. The blood pressure also connects to the arteries, brain, kidneys and eyes.

If you’re under 40 years old, you should take a blood pressure test at least every 2 years. However at over 40 years, you are prone to a higher blood pressure. Take constant blood pressure tests and regulate your lifestyle. High blood pressure is the biggest cause of a heart disease.

2. Diabetes test:

As an adult, you should ensure that you get tested for diabetes at least every 2 years. A diabetes test involves a fasting blood sugar level test. This test measures the amount of glucose in your blood after fasting (the time before you have breakfast). If you’re over 40 years of age or your family has a history of diabetes, it’s best to get tested every year. Getting tested for diabetes helps to prevent a lot of future complications in your digestive system early enough.

3. Sexually transmissible infection (STI) test:

If you’re already sexually active as an adult, it is important to get tested regularly. The most common type of STI is Chlamydia, and it is important to get tested for it every year. Other STIs like HIV/AIDS, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, require a more complicated set of tests with a doctor’s recommendation.

4. Cervical Screening test:

Early cervical screening tests help detect and prevent cervical cancer. This screening test, aka The pap smear test, checks for human papilloma virus in a woman’s body system. The HP virus is the cause of cervical cancer, but if detected early enough can be prevented or treated.

Cervical screening test is recommended for women who are sexually active and are between the ages of 21 to 74 years. This screening test is best recommended every 3 years for women between 21-65 years old.

5. Breasts screening test:

This type of test is also called a Mammogram. It is the best type of test to detect breast cancer early enough. Yearly mammograms are recommended for women who are in there 40s and above. However, women in their 20s and 30s should get basic breast screening tests every 3 years.As a woman if you notice the slightest change in the way your breast looks or feels, see a doctor immediately or book a breast screening test.

6. Prostate cancer test:

Getting your prostate checked regularly as a man is medically advised. Prostate cancer mostly affects men who are above 45 years, however early routine checks can prevent future complications.

Prostate screening tests are of two types, which are:

• Digital rectal examination (DRE):

A Urologist or doctor inserts a finger into the rectum to feel if the prostate is enlarged or has lumps.

• Prostate-Specific antigen (PSA) test:

This test measures the blood level of a protein produced by the prostate gland.

7. Hepatitis B virus test:

Hepatitis B vaccine is best administered to a child from birth. The hepatitis B is an infection that affects the liver and can cause other life threatening diseases. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Hepatitis B is mostly spread from mother to child at birth, but it can be spread through other unhealthy ways. There is no cure for hepatitis B, however a vaccine can help to prevent it. Also taking regular hepatitis tests is recommended to detect it early. You can book to take the vaccine that is safe and 100% effective on the DRO Health app today.

DRO Health has recently partnered with Chem Health to provide diagnostic tests for our users in Abuja, Nigeria. You can book a test on the DRO Health app courtesy of Chem Health and get the best service at home or at their lab. Getting routine diagnostic tests early enough prevents you from having health complications that involve spending heavily on treatments.

The DRO Health app is available for download on the app store (iOS) or on the Google playstore (android).

The post 7 Important Diagnostic Tests Every Adult Should Take. appeared first on DRO Health.

July 28th every year is a day set aside to raise awareness and encourage action about the virus called hepatitis. It is also a day to celebrate millions of people worldwide living with hepatitis and still surviving. For July 28th 2022, the World Health Organization tagged the theme as ‘Bringing Hepatitis Care Closer To You.’

According to research, 20 million Nigerians currently live with hepatitis. However, this years theme aims to raise more awareness about the virus and also to bring testing centers closer to rural communities worldwide.

What Is Hepatitis?

According to World Health Organization, hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and non-infectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal.

Hepatitis virus has 5 different types, A, B, C, D, E. All of these types affect the liver in the human body, however hepatitis B and C lead to chronic liver diseases and cause more deaths around the world.

Key statistics according to World Health Organization.

• 345 million people globally live with hepatitis B or C infection.

• Almost 3,000 people die from hepatitis B or C everyday.

• 90% of people living with viral hepatitis are unaware that they have it.

• Over 3,000 people die everyday from liver diseases caused by hepatitis.

• 5 million Nigerians lose their lives yearly from hepatitis related complications.

How To Protect Yourself From Hepatitis.

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver in the human body. Viral hepatitis can be acute (lasts less than 6 months) or chronic (lasts longer). Viral hepatitis is a communicable virus and it is mostly gotten through sexual intercourse with an infected partner.

Most people recover from hepatitis, but more people die from its complications, as it:

• Destroys the liver tissue

• Weakens the body immune system

• Causes liver disease or cancer

• Leads to death

To protect yourself against getting infected with hepatitis, you should take these precautionary measures:

Avoid having sex with an infected person

Hepatitis B can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. It is transmitted through contact with vaginal fluid, semen or blood. However, using a condom can help protect against it. The best way to protect yourself from getting infected is to avoid having sex with anyone who has any strain of hepatitis.

Always use sterile injections or needles

Sharing unsterilized injections or needles can widen the spread of hepatitis C. To avoid this, it is best to always ensure than only sterilized objects are used to touch your skin in a hospital, clinic or laboratory. Hospitals should also also avoid reusing injections or needles for any reason.

Vaccinating a newborn child against hepatitis

An infected pregnant woman can infect her child with hepatitis if the baby isn’t vaccinated. The best way vaccination works with a newborn is to ensure your child is given the shots 12 hours immediately after he or she is born. The HBIG or hepatitis B vaccine shots can be given up to 4 times to a new born baby to protect them.

Get tested for hepatitis

A major way to protect yourself is to always get tested for hepatitis. If you suspect that you have been exposed to the virus, get tested immediately. You can book a test with us at DRO Health or you can go to a hospital nearest to you to get tested.

Every 30 seconds someone loses their life from an illness related to hepatitis. This years’ theme ‘ Bringing Hepatitis Care Closer To You’ is a wake-up call for people, health agencies, government bodies to bring testing centers and vaccines closer to the people who have no access to basic healthcare.

At DRO Health we are contributing our quota to ensure that we bring care closer to people. To book a test for hepatitis, simply download our app at www.drohealth.com . Click on ‘book a test’ and you have your test done conveniently and at an affordable rate.

Stay safe, get tested, stay healthy.

The post How To Protect Yourself From Hepatitis. appeared first on DRO Health.