Using Laboratory Screening Tests Every Age Group

Laboratory Screening Tests By Age For A Multitude Of Health Problems

In the major urban areas of the United States, getting a laboratory Screening Test to monitor personal health is becoming a part of the main stream culture. Because of advances in technology, laboratory screening tests have become a central part of our collective health and wellness considerations. State of the art laboratories and equipment have given us quick access to medical health information.

Believe it or not, the feminist movement and the creation of public sex education programs have also had a role to play in the increase of laboratory testing. For quite a long-time sex was simply thought of as the primary physical requirement to start a family, the beginning stage of an agricultural labor force or a central part of the role that a wife was required to perform for her husband. But, the importance of sexual freedom and health information in the western world has led to the popularity of the practice of casual sex with multiple partners among women.

Laboratories and institutions that provide contraception, sex information, better hygienic practices and laboratory testing have made a major impact on the lives and health females and young people. But, who else has benefited from improved resources and access to information gained from laboratory screening tests? The answer is practically everybody.

Laboratory Screening Tests Are For Everyone

The social and economic importance of laboratory screening tests are emphasized almost everywhere in the developed world. Undetected disease and illness can do great physical, mental, emotional and economic damage to individuals and families. Some preventable illnesses that are not uncovered early can have permanent effects.

The health information that we gain from screening tests can literally help to determine the future quality of life for many people. Due to advances in health technology, personal fitness and wellness practices, modern people are living longer and are healthier than ever.

The United States is the richest nation-state in world history. Part of the reason for American prosperity is the information that is gained from laboratory screening tests. So much time, media attention and money goes into monitoring and maintaining our health via information and exercise that it can help to define our levels of fitness and wellness from a very young age.

Pregnancy & Prenatal Screening Tests

The best way to safeguard a child’s health is to use screening tests to detect discover possible birth defects, illnesses or infections during the prenatal period. All pregnant women should receive medical counseling about a variety of screening tests at the very beginning of their pregnancy. It is highly recommended that new pregnancies be screened for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV very early in the pregnancy. If the mother participates in high risk activities like using intravenous drugs or having unprotected sex, she should receive another screening test in her third trimester.

If a problem is discovered, health care professionals can treat the mother with medication and make birthing plans to help the baby avoid complication during the pregnancy and the process of birth. Furthermore, safe laboratory screening tests can be performed at every stage of the pregnancy:

• Pre-Conception
• First Trimester
• Second Trimester
• Third Trimester

Screening Tests for Newborns

The United States has seen a steady decline in cases of genetic disorders and infectious diseases in children thanks to increasing early intervention and aggressive screening tests.

Usually, newborns are tested for infectious diseases and other problems only if they show signs and symptoms. However, some states require that all newborns be tested for HIV. Also, if there is concern that the mother is at high risk of infection or she was not tested for viruses during the pregnancy – newborns may be screened for HIV and hepatitis B.

Screening Tests for Infants

Infants usually do not need any laboratory screening tests if neonatal inspection examinations have been completed during the first week of life. Additional screening is done only if infants come from very poor or immigrant families and there may be reason to suspect the child has had some exposure to the following illnesses:

• Lead poisoning
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Tuberculosis

Screening Tests for Children (Ages 2 to 12)

The dietary habits of American children tend to be very high in complex sugars, salt and saturated fat. Thus, much of the health screening tests for children tend to focus on dietary concerns. Parents and medical professionals often are fighting a battle against the following diseases:

• Obesity
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes

Screening Tests for Teens (Ages 13-18)

More and more teens are becoming sexually active. Unfortunately, they start out at a great disadvantage in that they have no experience and very little information about being sexually active. This puts them at great risk for all the various forms of sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s). So, the following screening tests are extremely importance toward trying to keep them safe:

• Chlamydia & Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis B
• HIV

Like young children and preteens, many teenagers also struggle with eating healthy and poverty. So, the following screening tests are also paramount:

• Obesity
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Tuberculosis

Screening Tests for Young Adults (Ages 19-29)

Young adults tend to also be highly sexually active:

· Chlamydia & Gonorrhea

• HIV
• Hepatitis B

They also are working a lot. This means that many of them also do not have very good eating habits:

• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Diabetes

But women start to have a unique set of health concerns from males:

• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer

Screening Tests for Adults (Ages 30-49)

As men and women start to age, they each begin to need screening tests for issues that focus on weight gain and loss of physical dexterity:

• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Tuberculosis
• Chlamydia & Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis B
• HIV

Screening Tests for Adults (50 and Up)

Finally, adults over 50 should be concerned with a rapid reduction in strength, endurance, muscle mass and other problems associated with aging:

• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Osteoporosis
• Colorectal cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Tuberculosis
• Chlamydia & Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• HIV