Regular check-ups to help prevent complicated health problems

Ask your doctor about check-ups, tests and shots you need to help prevent disease. Following are just a few tips. Be sure to consult your doctor and other health professionals for more information.

Hearing care

Hearing loss increases after the age of 50. How can you tell if you have a hearing problem? You may have to strain to hear a normal conversation. Or you may find yourself turning up the volume of the TV and radio so loud that others complain.

Talk to your doctor or nurse about your hearing. They may suggest a hearing test. Hearing aids can often help you hear better.

Glaucoma

After age 45, glaucoma becomes more common than it is earlier in life. It is a disease that can lead to problems seeing and even to loss of vision. Early treatment-with medicine, surgery, or both-can prevent or delay the serious vision problems caused by glaucoma.

You are more likely to get glaucoma, and you should see an eye doctor for a glaucoma test, if you:

• Have diabetes.
• Have a family history of glaucoma.
• Are over age 65.
• Are over age 40 and African American.

Ask your doctor: How often do I need to have my eyes checked?

Keep track of when you need your next eye doctor appointment. Use your personal prevention chart ( PDF file for all charts, 26 KB).

Shot to prevent diseases

Adults need shots to prevent serious diseases. You should ask your doctor or other health care provider which shots are right for you.

Influenza (flu) shots

Everyone over age 65 needs this every year.

You may need flu shots before age 65 if you:

• Have lung, heart, or kidney disease.
• Have diabetes.
• Have AIDS or are infected with HIV.
• Have cancer.
• Are a health care worker.

Keep track of the shots you receive. Use the shot charts (PDF file for all charts, 26 KB).

Pneumococcal (pneumonia) shot

• Everyone needs this once at about age 65. If you have diseases of the lung, heart, or kidney; diabetes; HIV; or cancer, you may need this shot before age 65.
• Keep track of the shots you receive. Use the shot charts (PDF file for all charts, 26 KB).

Tetanus-diphtheria shot

• Everyone needs this every 10 years.
• Keep track of the shots you receive. Use the shot charts (PDF file for all charts, 26 KB).

Hepatitis B shots

Discuss with your doctor whether you need hepatitis B shots.

Generally, you should receive hepatitis B shots if you:

• Or your partner have had other sexual partners within the last 6 months.
• Are a male and have had sex with another male.
• Have had a sexually transmitted disease (STD) within the last 6 months.
• Have injected illegal drugs.
• Are a health care worker who is often exposed to blood or blood products.
• Had blood transfusions between 1978 and 1985.

If you are traveling outside the United States, discuss with your doctor whether you need hepatitis B shots.