4.1% of the GDP comes from health expenditure by the government of India. A recent report by The Guardian states that approximately 70.8 % of the total health expenditure in India comes from private sources of expenses on health which the government is not accountable for. Investing a small sum in a comprehensive health checkup package is a far better choice than spending a lump sum at the time of health crisis for ordinary citizens. It is because comprehensive health checkup costs are covered by medical insurance policies.
Why is Comprehensive Health Checkup Essential?
Comprehensive health checkup is a preventive healthcare solution with multiple benefits. It not only prevents you from undergoing a stressful diagnosis of symptoms of some illness but also saves you a lot on the costs of hospitalization and medical treatment through prescription of preventive measures and early detection of developing diseases. Most physicians recommend comprehensive health checkup once a year. Here is why: Not convinced a check-up is worth the effort? Read on.
Who Requires Comprehensive Health Checkup?
The first question to ask why you get your car serviced with a check on all important parts once in four or five months. It is simply because the car will run smoothly ensuring your safety and security. Our body is like a car. Apart from daily fuel and care, it requires preventive checkup for optimal functioning. However, if we care our body and health as much as we take care of our cars and other valuables is a question.
There is no denying that we are leading a sedentary lifestyle both in and out of office. We remain hooked to the computer screen or mobile devices surfing internet, checking social media feeds, chatting with friends or reading online instead of giving much importance to daily exercise. Then those indulging in unfair practices like daily smoking, drinking and late night partying are vulnerable to health crises.
Even healthy people need an annual preventive health checkup because life is full of uncertainties. Those who are healthy may fall prey to some or other illnesses at the growing age when cholesterol and blood pressure levels fluctuate. Even secretion of natural hormones fluctuates with the growing age of the body, thereby affecting the overall health. A comprehensive health checkup gives a picture of age-related changes in the body.
As we know that prevention is better than cure, early or timely detection of diseases, if there is any, through comprehensive health checkup leads to possible cure. Some serious health disorders such as cancer can be cured only if they are detected early. We stand better chances of returning to normalcy and healthy living upon timely treatment.
If you are looking to evade or save on income tax, comprehensive health checkup is a way out. You can get tax exemption on comprehensive health checkups for you, your spouse and your parents under the 80D section of the Income Act Tax.
Different Phases of Comprehensive Health Checkup
Medical History
A comprehensive health checkup begins with the details of your previous medical history. It is where you need to share your health concerns and the complete details of recent medical examinations or surgeries that you have undergone. The physician may question you about your habits and activities like if you do smoking and drinking, if you immoderately sexually active, if you are allergic to immunizations, if you take dietary supplements for additional nutrients, etc.
Vital Statistics
The physician notes vital statistics of one’s basic health from their appearance. Your blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, etc. are measured to observe some vital signs in order to check if you are physically sound. It is followed a comprehensive examination of the body.
Whole Body Examination
The physician begins with checking of mouth, teeth, tongue, throat, tonsils and neck. Eyes, ears and nose are also examined. Hearth health is examined through an ECG and lungs are checked through a chest x-ray. An overall abdominal examination helps to know how healthy different parts of the digestive system like liver, intestine, bowels, etc. are. A complete blood test gives a picture of the blood health with focus on quantity of hemoglobin and the level of blood cholesterol. Urine test helps to assess the health of kidneys. The strength of joints is also examined during a comprehensive health checkup. Both male and female reproductive systems are checked for any warning signs.
Needless to say, fast, stressful pace of day-to-day life only adds to the chances of health disorders. A preventive comprehensive health checkup helps to identify possible causes and cures of health disorders.
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