Mama, It’s Time to Take Care of Yourself

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This post is sponsored by Lovelace Health System. At ABQ Mom, we strive to partner with businesses that we feel bring value to our readers.

Sometimes making checkup appointments and getting blood drawn doesn’t feel all that important, especially when you are juggling hundreds of other to-dos for your family. Those important health appointments get pushed to the next year or, worse, are forgotten entirely.

However, health screenings are one the most essential things you can do for your health because even being active every day and eating balanced meals aren’t enough to know that you are healthy. Your family and loved ones want to make sure that you’re around for a long time, so make 2023 the year you prioritize these crucial appointments.

Our partners at Lovelace Health System have provided a great resource for us busy moms! Check the lists below to see which health screenings you should discuss with your physician at what time, so you can be proactive about your health.

These are guidelines only. Your doctor or nurse will personalize the timing of each test to meet your specific healthcare needs. To schedule an appointment with a Lovelace Medical Group Primary Care Physician, call 505-727-2727.

In Your 20s

General Health

  • Full checkup – Including weight and height.
  • Sleep habits – Discuss at your annual exam.
  • Thyroid (TSH) test – Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
  • HIV screening – Get this test if you are at risk for HIV infection (unprotected sex, sexually transmitted disease, or used drugs with needles).

Heart Health

  • Blood pressure test – At least every two years.
  • Baseline cholesterol panel – Total, LDL, HDL and triglycerides.

Diabetes

  • Blood glucose or A1c test – Get screened if you have sustained blood pressure greater than 135/80, take medicine for high blood pressure, or are at risk for developing diabetes.

Breast Health

  • Breast self-exam – Become familiar with your breasts so you can identify any changes and discuss with your doctor or nurse. Make sure to follow ABQ Mom on Facebook & Instagram for a monthly reminder on the 2nd of every month.
  • Clinical breast exam – At least every three years.

Skin Health

  • Skin exam – Monthly self-exam of skin and moles and as part of a routine full checkup with your doctor or nurse.

Oral Health

  • Dental cleaning and exam – Every 12 – 24 months; discuss with your dentist.

Immunizations

  • Seasonal influenza vaccine — Yearly.
  • Tetanus-diphtheria pertussis booster vaccine — Every 10 years.
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine — If your vaccine series is incomplete, discuss with your doctor or nurse.
  • Meningococcal vaccine — Discuss with your doctor or nurse if you are a college student or military recruit.

In Your 30s

General Health

  • Full checkup — Including weight and height.
  • Sleep habits — Discuss at your annual exam.
  • Thyroid (TSH) test — Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
  • HIV screening — Get this test if you are at risk for HIV infection (unprotected sex, sexually transmitted disease, or used drugs with needles).

Heart Health

  • Blood pressure test — At least every two years.
  • Cholesterol panel —Total, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides; discuss with your doctor or nurse.

Diabetes

  • Blood glucose or A1c test — Get screened if you have sustained blood pressure greater than 135/80, take medicine for high blood pressure, or are at risk for developing diabetes.

Breast Health

  • Breast self-exam — Become familiar with your breasts so you can identify any changes and discuss with your doctor or nurse. Make sure to follow ABQ Mom on Facebook & Instagram for a monthly reminder on the 2nd of every month.
  • Clinical breast exam — At least every three years.

Eye & Ear Health

  • Comprehensive eye exam — Discuss with your doctor.
  • Hearing test — Every 10 years.

Mental Health

  • Discuss with your doctor or nurse.

Reproductive Health

  • Pap test — At least every three years.
  • Pelvic exam — Yearly.
  • Sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests — Both partners should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse. Get a chlamydia test yearly if you have new or multiple partners.

Skin Health

  • Skin exam — Monthly self-exam of skin and moles and as part of a routine full checkup with your doctor or nurse.

Oral Health

  • Dental cleaning and exam — Every 12-24 months; discuss with your dentist.

Immunizations

    • Seasonal influenza vaccine — Yearly.
    • Tetanus-diphtheria pertussis booster vaccine — Every 10 years.
    • Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine — If your vaccine series is incomplete, discuss with your doctor or nurse.

In Your 40s

General Health

  • Full checkup — Including weight and height.
  • Sleep habits — Discuss at your annual exam.
  • Thyroid (TSH) test — Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
  • HIV screening — Get this test if you are at risk for HIV infection (unprotected sex, sexually transmitted disease, or used drugs with needles).
  • Hepatitis C (HCV) screening — Get this one-time screening if you were born between 1945 and 1965.

Heart Health

  • Blood pressure test — At least every two years.
  • Cholesterol panel — Total, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides; discuss with your doctor or nurse.

Diabetes

  • Blood glucose or A1c test — Get screened if you have sustained blood pressure greater than 135/80, take medicine for high blood pressure, or are at risk for developing diabetes.

Breast Health

  • Breast self-exam — Become familiar with your breasts so you can identify any changes and discuss with your doctor or nurse. Make sure to follow ABQ Mom on Facebook & Instagram for a monthly reminder on the 2nd of every month.
  • Clinical breast exam — Yearly.
  • Mammogram — Every year. (Official recommendations vary. Discuss the schedule that is right for you with your doctor or nurse).

Bone Health

  • Bone density screen — Discuss with your doctor or nurse.

Reproductive Health

  • Pap test — At least every three years.
  • Pelvic exam — Yearly.
  • Sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests — Both partners should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse. Get a chlamydia test if you have new or multiple partners.

Mental Health

  • Discuss with your doctor or nurse.

Eye & Ear Health

  • Comprehensive eye exam — Baseline exam at age 40, then every 2-4 years as your doctor advises.
  • Hearing test — Every 10 years.

Skin Health

  • Skin exam — Monthly self-exam of skin and moles and as part of a routine full checkup with your doctor or nurse.

Oral Health

  • Dental cleaning and exam — Every 12- 24 months; discuss with your dentist.

Immunizations

    • Seasonal influenza vaccine — Yearly.
    • Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster vaccine — Every 10 years.

In Your 50s

General Health

  • Full checkup — Including weight and height.
  • Sleep habits — Discuss at your annual exam.
  • Thyroid (TSH) test — Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
  • HIV screening — Get this test if you are at risk for HIV infection (unprotected sex, sexually transmitted disease, or used drugs with needles).
  • Hepatitis C (HCV) screening — Get this one-time screening if you were born between 1945 and 1965.

Heart Health

  • Blood pressure test — At least every two years.
  • Cholesterol panel — Total, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides; discuss with your doctor or nurse.

Diabetes

  • Blood glucose or A1c test — Get screened if you have sustained blood pressure greater than 135/80, take medicine for high blood pressure, or are at risk for developing diabetes.

Breast Health

  • Breast self-exam — Become familiar with your breasts so you can identify any changes and discuss with your doctor or nurse. Make sure to follow ABQ Mom on Facebook & Instagram for a monthly reminder on the 2nd of every month.
  • Clinical breast exam — Yearly.
  • Mammogram — Every year. (Official recommendations vary. Discuss the schedule that is right for you with your doctor or nurse.)

Bone Health

  • Bone density screen — Discuss with your doctor or nurse.

Reproductive Health

  • Pap test — At least every three years.
  • Pelvic exam — Yearly.
  • Sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests — Both partners should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse. Get a chlamydia test if you have new or multiple partners.

Mental Health

  • Discuss with your doctor or nurse.

Colorectal Health

  • Fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy — Starting at age 50, get screened for colorectal cancer. Talk to your doctor or nurse about which screening test is best for you and how often you need it.

Eye & Ear Health

  • Comprehensive eye exam — Every 2-4 years until age 55, then every 1-2 years.
  • Hearing test — Every three years.

Skin Health

  • Skin exam — Monthly self-exam of skin and moles and as part of a routine full checkup with your doctor or nurse.

Oral Health

  • Dental cleaning and exam — Every 12-24 months; discuss with your dentist.

Immunizations

    • Seasonal influenza vaccine — Yearly.
    • Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster vaccine — Every 10 years.

To schedule an appointment with a Lovelace Medical Group Primary Care Physician, call 505-727-2727.