Nowadays, people are more at risk of having health problems because of many factors like stress, unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, poor work-life balance, and other negativities that affect one’s overall health and wellness. Fortunately, you can protect yourself from all these and more by having a general health check and starting on your positive home health UK lifestyle changes. However, many will only have themselves checked when they feel sick. If you value your health, you must undergo a regular health check-ups. Here are some of the reasons why you should do it: 1. Know your current health status Never wait for you to get sick before going to your healthcare provider. The best thing to do is have a regular general health check-up to establish your baseline. What’s the current state of your health? Are you at risk of certain diseases? Knowing where you stand as far as your health is concerned allows you to make informed lifestyle changes immediately to manage your risk of having preventable health conditions someday. Health checks can determine the early stages of common conditions like diabetes and high level of bad cholesterol. For instance, you can take Vitall’s Diabetes (HbA1c) Home Test Kit, a diet and nutrition test, to assess a person’s average blood sugar levels and determine their risk of Type 2 diabetes. It’s a finger prick blood test that’s extremely useful for everyone. Vitall’s online lab testing service specifically checks your glycated haemoglobin or HbA1c, the critical indicator of diabetes. Did you know that approximately 12.1 million people in the UK are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes? High glucose levels can damage blood vessels and the feet, heart, kidneys, and eyes. Fortunately, lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and exercise, can lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes. A regular health check is beneficial, too. 2. Gain peace of mind Many people are concerned about their health, which constantly makes them feel stressed out. Worrying about it is normal, especially if you have a family history of a particular illness and your instinct tells you something’s wrong. Some people experience unwanted symptoms that cause them restlessness and anxiety. This is where a general health check comes in. It’ll give you the peace of mind you desire. You can do a finger prick blood test at home and have it checked by your health care provider. You’ll get the results with some feedback and insights in a few days. For instance, you can identify deficiencies through Vitall’s Nutritional Assessment Test, which includes a vitamin deficiency test UK health providers recommend. It’s an accurate finger prick blood test kit specifically made to check biomarkers like Vitamin D. Vitall can effectively identify vitamin and mineral deficiencies in your body through your blood sample. It’s challenging to determine deficiencies because of their few or vague symptoms. With Vitall’s Full Vitamins & Minerals home blood test kit, you can test and monitor your progress and take the necessary actions to optimise your vitamin and mineral intake. 3. Reach your fitness goals A health check isn’t just for athletes. You also need it if you’re a sports or exercise enthusiast. It effectively measures biomarkers that affect your overall performance, including hormones, inflammation, iron status, thyroid function, and vitamins and minerals. Once these are checked, you can improve your training and diet to achieve your fitness goals. The Cardiovascular Risk (hs-CRP) Home Test Kit from Vitall is ideal for assessing your risk of heart diseases like stroke and heart attack. Take a blood sample through finger prick blood testing to check your body’s inflammation levels through hs-CRP, which is also used to monitor sports performance and indicate over-training. 4. Monitor health with age Most of the time, people neglect regular general check-ups, especially if they’re still young. However, if you’re already in your 40s and above, seeing your healthcare provider regularly for at least an annual check is vital. You become more at risk of certain diseases as you grow older. It’s best to check yourself for markers like liver health, cholesterol, and diabetes to change your lifestyle before things get worse. Older people feel more tired, and though it’s also because of work, there are some underlying causes, such as low vitamin and mineral levels, thyroid problems, and hormonal imbalance. One of the best things you can do is to include Vitall’s Thyroid Function Home Test Kit in your general health check. The thyroid produces hormones such as free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone. This hormonal test is perfect for assessing thyroid function. It can effectively identify abnormal thyroid activities in your body. This simple test requires an easy-to-follow finger prick blood test kit you can do at home. 5. Monitor existing health conditions to reduce complications A regular health check isn't only helpful in detecting future health risks, but it's also effective in monitoring your present health conditions to minimise complications. It helps identify lifestyle habits that affect your overall health, including smoking and too much alcohol consumption. Suppose you already have high blood pressure and diabetes. In that case, a regular health check provides information on how well you're handling and managing your condition using the treatments and medications prescribed by your doctor. This way, you can work together to adjust for a more effective lifestyle and medication plans. [TEST] 6. Save on healthcare costs As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. A general health check is like a preventive check-up done regularly to prevent and avoid diseases or treat them at an early stage. This reduces your chances of getting sick or sicker, resulting in lower medical costs. Also, imagine getting sick when you're still a full-time employee. It would be best to take time off from work to undergo treatments. It can disrupt your lifestyle, too, as you won't be able to enjoy drinking alcohol, smoking, or partying with your friends because you must watch what you eat and need to avoid stress. However, once your general health check is done, you can save more in the long run. You won't spend a portion of your income on medications and treatments, and you can avoid applying for long sick days without pay or getting admitted to a hospital. 7. Know the latest medical developments and technologies Did you know that a general health check also familiarises you with all the latest medical and technological developments in healthcare? Every year, experts research diseases and how to prevent or treat them. There are breakthroughs in medications and treatments of common diseases every year. However, only some people are aware of them. But you'll be more informed once you have your regular overall health check. Further, laboratories update their equipment regularly, using more modern and innovative equipment, machinery, and software. Many healthcare providers update themselves on the latest technologies by attending workshops, training, and conferences to equip themselves with the most modern knowledge and skills. In return, they provide more advanced medical advice to their patients. 8. Increase life span You're doing yourself a big favour by having a routine general health check done. This is one way to check how healthy you are. For instance, by taking a health test as simple as a vitamin deficiency test UK health providers can already help you understand your current health state and provide you with preventive advice or prescriptions which can increase your lifespan. What is Tested in General Health Checks? Your healthcare provider conducts a general health check, including talking about your medical history and lifestyle, like smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking illegal drugs. You'll also discuss your family's history of the disease. Take note that if you have a family history of a particular health condition, you're also at high risk of developing it. A regular general health check can help detect early warning signs. Meanwhile, here are some of the most common tests included in a general health check: Blood pressure Those aged 40 and below without a family history of blood pressure can be checked every two years. Meanwhile, those with a family history of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke and aged 40 and above with high blood pressure must have an annual health check. Blood tests You must regularly check your cholesterol levels and blood triglycerides because high levels can lead to various health conditions like heart disease. Those with a family history of such must undergo annual testing from 40 years old. Try Vitall's Cholesterol Home Test Kit to measure blood fats, cholesterol levels, and triglycerides. Tests for diabetes High blood sugar levels can cause serious health problems, which makes tests for diabetes a vital part of a general health check. The most common is the fasting blood glucose test which involves no consumption of food or fluid (except water) eight hours before the test. You can also take Vitall's Diabetes (HbA1c) Home Test Kit to assess your blood sugar levels and your risk of Type 2 diabetes. Screening for bowel cancer If you're 50 to 74 years old and have no symptoms of bowel cancer, taking a screening test can help assess your risks of having it. Meanwhile, those with a family history of it should undergo a colonoscopy every five years. Eye health tests As you grow old, your eyesight also deteriorates. Those 65 years old and above must have an annual eye examination to detect diabetic retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. However, frequent testing is highly recommended for those with eye injuries or a family history of eye disease. Osteoporosis testing Aging is a risk factor for osteoporosis. Those 50 years old and above must undergo a bone density test to determine bone health. Meanwhile, Vitall's Bone (Osteoporosis) Home Test Kit can be taken anytime through a finger prick blood test. It can effectively assess minerals, vitamins, and proteins necessary for healthy bones. Screening for sexually transmissible infections Sexually active individuals, especially those between 15 to 29, should get tested for chlamydia as part of their general health check. Further, if you feel at risk of other sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS and herpes, ask your healthcare provider for further testing. Breast cancer screening Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in the UK. According to Cancer Research UK, approximately 55,500 women and 370 men in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. In addition, one in seven women in the UK develops it during their lifetime, with older women being the most at risk. Your general health check must include a breast screening or mammogram to help detect breast cancer early. This way, you can get the best treatments and improve your chances of survival. Vitall's Highly Recommended General Health Checks Men and women may take different general health checks. Here are Vitall's highly recommended ones for men and women. Male Total Health Check and Female Total Health Check This is an all-in-one health test for men and women. Through your blood sample, Vitall will analyse your liver and kidney functions, evaluate specific fats, including triglycerides and excellent and bad cholesterol levels, and measure your body's inflammation and cortisol levels. They'll also throw in a hormone test to check male testosterone levels and a specific hormone profile for women to ensure a healthy and regular menstrual cycle. These health checks require a simple and accurate finger prick blood test kit you can do at home. You can also have your sample taken at the clinic or have a nurse visit your home to get the sample. All samples are analysed at an accredited laboratory. You can expect results in 24 hours.