Disclaimer: The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical attention offline.
Xiao Li has always felt unwell recently, and his heart is up and down. He decided to go to the hospital for a full medical check-up, hoping to find out what the problem was. But when he came to various departments with a long checklist, he was startled by the scene in front of him.
In the crowd in line, some people looked anxious and stared at the list in their hands; Someone clutched his stomach in pain, as if he was enduring some kind of discomfort; There were also people who stood expressionlessly, as if they had become numb. Xiao Li couldn't help but start wondering, are these tests really necessary? Can they really help diagnose the problem?
With these questions, Xiao Li began a long inspection journey. One after another, from blood draws to imaging tests, from electrocardiograms to endoscopy, he did almost everything he could. In the days of waiting for the results, Xiao Li was nervous, for fear that he would be seriously ill.
Finally, the inspection report came out. The doctor told Xiao Li that everything was normal except for a slight vitamin D deficiency. While Xiao Li breathed a sigh of relief, he also felt a trace of confusion and frustration. He spent so much time and money, endured so much discomfort, and only found a trivial problem?
This experience made Xiao Li begin to reflect: Are we overly reliant on medical examinations? Are there some tests that are not necessary? With these questions in mind, Xiao Li began to delve into the topic, and his findings were surprising.
It turns out that in medical practice, there are indeed some tests that not only do not have obvious benefits, but can also bring unnecessary risks and financial burdens. The following are five types of tests that Xiao Li sorted out after consulting a large amount of information and consulting professionals:
1. Routine whole-body CT scan
Many people believe that regular full-body CT scans can detect potential health problems early. However, this is not the case. Studies have shown that whole-body CT scans in asymptomatic people do not reduce overall mortality or disease-specific mortality.
Dr Zhang, a radiologist with 20 years of clinical experience, explains, "CT scans expose patients to ionizing radiation, which can increase the risk of cancer. At the same time, it can lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment, causing unnecessary anxiety and financial burden on patients. "
According to the CT Examination Guidelines (2020 Edition) issued by the Radiology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, routine whole-body CT scans are not recommended unless there is a clear clinical indication. For specific high-risk groups, targeted screening, such as low-dose CT screening for high-risk groups of lung cancer, may be considered.
2. Thyroid ultrasound screening
Thyroid nodules are a common problem, and many people worry that it can be a sign of cancer. But in fact, the vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign, and even malignant nodules tend to progress slowly and are not life-threatening.
Professor Wang, an authoritative expert in endocrinology, pointed out: "Routine thyroid ultrasound screening in asymptomatic people may lead to the discovery of a large number of benign nodules and unnecessary biopsies. This not only increases medical costs, but can also cause psychological burden and risk of complications for patients. "
The Endocrinology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association clearly stated in the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in China (2022 Revised Edition) that screening for thyroid cancer in the general population is not recommended. Regular screening should only be considered in high-risk groups, such as those with a family history of thyroid cancer or those who have had radiation therapy to the head and neck.
3. Routine ECG
An electrocardiogram is a simple, non-invasive test that many people believe is effective in preventing heart disease. But it's not that simple. For people who don't have heart disease symptoms or risk factors, the value of a routine ECG is limited.
Director Chen, a cardiologist, said: "ECG can only reflect the state of the heart at the time of examination, and its ability to predict future heart attacks is very limited. Over-reliance on ECGs can lead to false-positive results, triggering unnecessary anxiety and further testing. "
The Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (2017) emphasize that routine ECG screening is not recommended for the asymptomatic general population. Instead, emphasis should be placed on the assessment and management of cardiovascular risk factors, such as control of blood pressure, lipids, and blood glucose, and the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.
4. Routine tumor marker examination
Many people believe that cancer can be detected early by detecting tumor markers in the blood. However, this idea has significant limitations. The sensitivity and specificity of tumor markers are suboptimal, and relying solely on them to screen for cancer can produce misleading results.
Dr. Li, an oncologist, explains, "Tumor markers can be influenced by a variety of non-cancer factors, such as inflammation, benign tumors, etc. Over-reliance on these indicators can lead to false-positive results, trigger unnecessary anxiety and further testing, and may even delay the diagnosis of conditions that really need treatment. "
The Chinese Anti-Cancer Association clearly pointed out in the Guidelines for the Screening of Common Malignant Tumors in China (2019 Edition) that tumor markers are not recommended as routine items in cancer screening. For selected high-risk groups, it may be considered as a complement to other screening methods.
5. Routine lumbar spine X-ray
When many people experience low back pain, their first reaction is to take a lumbar spine X-ray. However, this practice is often unnecessary and may even be misleading.
Dr Zhao, an orthopaedic specialist, states, "Most acute low back pain is caused by muscle strains or ligament injuries that are not visible on X-rays. At the same time, x-rays may show some normal degenerative changes that are not necessarily related to symptoms and may instead lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment. "
The Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain (2022 Edition) emphasize that routine imaging is not recommended for patients with acute low back pain unless there are severe neurological symptoms or a serious underlying disease is suspected. Instead, clinical evaluation and conservative management should be emphasized.
Through an in-depth understanding of the pros and cons of these tests, Xiao Li gradually realized that over-reliance on medical tests does not lead to true health. Instead, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regular check-ups, and good communication with your doctor are key to maintaining your health.
This experience gave Xiao Li a new understanding of healthcare. He began to pay more attention to daily health management, such as a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and maintaining a good work and rest.
At the same time, he also learned how to communicate effectively with his doctor, asking about the necessity and potential risks of testing when needed.
Xiao Li's story teaches us that we need to remain rational and critical thinking on the road to health. Not all medical tests are necessary, and some may even do more harm than good.
We should learn to distinguish between tests that are truly valuable and those that may pose unnecessary risks, and be a wise medical consumer.
It is worth emphasizing that these checks mentioned in this article are not completely without value.
They are still an important diagnostic tool in specific situations.
The key is that we need to make an informed choice based on the individual's health and risk factors, with the guidance of a doctor.
Health management is a complex topic that requires us to continue to learn and think. Only in this way can we truly take control of our health and enjoy a high quality of life.
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(The story in the article is purely fictional, if there is any similarity is purely coincidental, if the body is not well, seek medical help in time)