What physical examinations should elderly people undergo the most

The most important physical examinations that elderly people should undergo include blood routine, urine routine, liver function, kidney function, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasound, bone density testing, tumor marker screening, etc. These projects are helpful for early detection of common senile diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, osteoporosis and malignant tumors.

1. Blood routine

Blood routine can detect hemoglobin, white blood cells, and platelet count, helping to detect anemia, infections, or blood system diseases. Elderly people are prone to iron deficiency anemia due to decreased gastrointestinal absorption function; Chronic inflammation may also lead to abnormal white blood cells. If the results are abnormal, further examination of serum ferritin, vitamin B12 and other indicators is required.

2. Urine routine

Urine routine can reflect the health status of the urinary system, detect indicators such as urine protein, urine sugar, and occult blood. Elderly individuals may experience a gradual decline in kidney function and may develop microalbuminuria; The positive rate of urine glucose in patients with diabetes increased with age. When abnormalities are detected, urine microalbumin and renal function tests should be completed.

3. Liver function

Liver function tests include indicators such as transaminase, bilirubin, albumin, etc., which can evaluate liver metabolic capacity. The metabolism rate of drugs in the elderly slows down, and long-term medication may cause liver damage; The incidence rate of fatty liver is higher in the elderly population. Abnormal results should be combined with ultrasound examination to exclude liver cirrhosis and other lesions.

4. Electrocardiogram

Electrocardiogram can screen for cardiac problems such as arrhythmia and myocardial ischemia. Myocardial degeneration is common in the elderly, and the incidence rate of atrial fibrillation increases significantly with age; Asymptomatic myocardial ischemia is common in patients with diabetes. Suggest increasing dynamic electrocardiogram monitoring for patients with combined hypertension.

5. Bone density testing

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry is the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis. The decrease in estrogen levels in women after menopause and the decrease in testosterone levels in men after the age of 70 can both accelerate bone loss. If the T value of the test result is ≤ -2.5, anti osteoporosis treatment should be carried out, and calcium supplements and vitamin D should be supplemented.

It is recommended that elderly people undergo a comprehensive physical examination once a year, and those with chronic diseases should have relevant indicators rechecked every 3-6 months. Maintain a low salt and low-fat diet in daily life, and supplement high-quality protein and calcium in moderation; Choose walking, practicing Tai Chi, and exercising regularly; Follow the doctor's advice to use medication in a standardized manner and avoid adjusting the dosage on your own. When abnormalities are found during physical examination, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly at a specialist department and not delay the timing of treatment.