Health Checkups every WELLthy mom needs is a topic worth visiting because the beginning of this year, I started to experience some chest pains and I knew I needed to take better care for myself. I attributed the chest pains to lack of sleep because since Babygirl experienced Febrile Seizures last Fall. It’s been rough but mom life goes on because well there is no day off in the motherhood journey.
Around my birthday, I woke up one morning with such a pain in my right shoulder that I knew it was more than a sore shoulder so Hubby asked me to call my doctor. When I called the office, I was told that she was out for a while and I could see another doctor. I decided that it was time for a change so I called Hubby’s doctor.
Health Checkups Every WELLthy Mom Needs was a wake up call, especially after talking to many moms about the guilt that comes with making ourselves the priority and not an option. The National Institutes of Health recommend that women go for periodic doctor’s visits, even if you are well, but that was not my case. I had waited to be in painful situation to heed that recommendation.
When I went for my appointment, the doctor was gracious to ask me to share relevant medical and mental history. He asks various questions about my lifestyle, nutrition and exercise. The nurse checked my weight, blood pressure and general vital stats. The doctor advised me to apply a cold pack and recommended some exercises to help me out.
I made sure not to leave before I schedule a physical exam with him. When I came back, I had to do a blood test and urine test. Here are some specific screenings or tests you may get at a health checkup:
Blood pressure.
This should be checked every two years, and more often if it seems elevated on any check. The systolic, or top number should be 120 and 139. The diastolic, or bottom number, should be below 90.
Cholesterol screening.
This needs done in this age range if you have risk factors for heart disease, and will be repeated if any levels seem problematic. Past 44 years of age, you get this done every 5 years if you get normal results; more often if you have elevated numbers.
Diabetes screening.
If you have a BMI above 25 and any other risk factors for diabetes, you should get tested. Having a BMI in that range indicates you are overweight and at risk for developing the disease. Also, if your blood pressure is over 135/80 you should be screened. Past 44, you need this done every 3 years.
Dental and vision exams need to be done regularly.
Teeth need annual visits, while eyes should be check at least every 2 years. Once a woman is 40, she may need a vision exam every year, if she has any family history of glaucoma or other serious eye issues.
Physicals.
You need two good, thorough physicals in your 20s and 30s. After 40, you need one every year or two.
Breast health.
There is no consensus on monthly self breast exams, so discuss this with your physician. You will probably get checked at your physicals. Mammograms are not recommended until age 40, at which time you’ll usually have one every year or two.
Pap Smears
Pap smears should be done every 3 years, unless you have an abnormal result which requires more frequent testing for a time period. If you get both a PAP and an HPV test, you can do the test every 5 years, however.
Mental Health
Tough mommy times happen to all of us without exception and how we deal with it is important in the outcome. We need to make it a priority to have a mental health checkup in addition to any physical health checkup before it takes a toll on us and our loved ones. There are signs to look for when it comes to mental health checkup according to The Campaign To Change Direction: Change in personality, agitation, withdrawal, hopelessness and decline in personal care. All of these signs can be to a varying degree but important signs to look for.
Don’t let common misbeliefs stop you from seeking support for yourself or loved ones: I can handle it on my own. It’s a sign of weakness. Mental health care is for crazy people. It’s too expensive. Many employee assistance programs (EAPs) will cover sessions with a counselor or therapist. If you don’t have access to an EAP, check to see if a counselor in your area offers a discounted rate or schedule some time with a spiritual advisor such as a pastor or rabbi to talk about your troubles. If you or a loved one is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out 24/7 to 1-800-274-TALK for confidential support on the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
Spiritual Health Checkup
Most of us tend to forget that we are spirit, we have a soul and we live in a body so the focus is heavily projected on our physical health. The blog is all about WELLthy lifestyle which focuses on whole well-being because when we lack spiritually, mentally or physically, our whole being is out of sync and it’s imperative that we take time to address that out of sync before it affects other areas of our life.
When I heard the news of Kate Spade’s death, I was devastated because I love all my Kate Spade bags. There is a whole debate online about Beyonce opening about mental health and struggle with motherhood. I tried to read as little as possible about the mental health debate because mental health is no respecter of person, wealth or social status and it’s complicated.
I talked to many moms who have confided in me that sometimes motherhood can feel overwhelming and instead of taking time to be vulnerable and seek help, they feel like they are expected to snap out of it, go on as if all is well. I remember the time I felt a pimple in my lower back and brush it off. A week went by and even though the pimple didn’t grow, I started feeling some pain in my lower back.
By the end of the week, I had to go see the doctor because every time I sat I was in excruciating pain. I think there is a pattern with some of us moms when we wait until we are in pain to seek the help and it shouldn’t be the case. I am learning that it’s truly ok not feeling ok and seek the help we need to get back to our whole self.
When I went to the doctor, she told me if I had come earlier in the week I could have had a simple procedure to remove the cyst as it turned out. I was rushed to the ER and had surgery to remove the cyst. A simple procedure in a doctor’s office turned into a trip to the ER and one week stay at the hospital. The whole experience taught me such a lesson that I vow not to repeat the same mistake again.
Health Checkups every WELLthy mom needs is a matter of life and death and we should not undermine how important they are. Life is too precious not to take the steps necessary to live as WELLthy as possible for our sake and our loved ones’.
When I left the doctor’s office after my physical exam, I couldn’t help but thank God for the clean health report and not taking it for granted. My prayer goes out to all you WELLthy moms out there to please listen to your body, mind and spirit and attend to any of the parts that make you well and whole when needed. You are too valuable not to and please take time to be fearlessly and relentlessly good to yourself by taking wonderful care of yourself.
WELLthy Life NODte: “Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.” -Katie Reed
