5 medical tests you can live without

By Angela Young

For every injury, medical condition and grievance there is a battery of tests your doctor can order. Around forty-five of these tests are completely unnecessary. You don't have to incur the inconvenience, discomfort or cost of these unnecessary tests. Before your doctor signs you up for your next visit to the lab, x-ray and other departments read about the five medical tests you can live without. Always double check with your doctor before any tests are ordered or performed. 

1. Yearly Cardiac Stress Test

This test is fairly common, especially for those over the age of 65. It's a stress test to measure the health of your heart and your risk of heart attack and other complications. If you are of general good health this is test is likely unnecessary. Often additional tests are deemed appropriate that could include invasive tests an unnecessary radiation. Unless you have experienced heart issues or the symptoms associated with heart disease, as your doctor if you want skip it.

2. Premature Back Scan

Millions of people suffer from lower to moderate back pain and often the solution is simple requiring no major treatments or procedures. Generally a physical exam can help find the problem. A back scan isn't going to offer much more information and it will only drive up the cost of your medical bills. 

3. Follow up Colorectal Cancer Screening

At the age of 50 you need to start having colorectal cancer screenings. If these screenings are a high-quality colonoscopy with normal results you only need one screening every 10 years. 

4. CT Scan or MRI

If you experience a fainting episode and are taken to the hospital or emergency room the doctor may suggest a CT scan or MRI. These are not necessary if your behavior is normal and you are having no neurological symptoms. The brain scan will not improve your outcome or treatment. It will also have no effect on the speed in which you recover.

5. Chest X-Ray

If you are preparing for an outpatient surgery it has been shown that a chest X-Ray is not necessary for the doctor to prepare for surgery. If you have a good functioning heart and are going into a low risk surgery this process is unnecessary.

These are only 5 of the medical tests you can live without. There are many more. It's important to be informed about the tests that are frequently ordered in contrast to those that are unnecessarily ordered. Also speak with your doctor about the diagnosis and treatment suggestions he makes. If you feel the tests he's suggesting are unnecessary, get a second opinion. You can save yourself time, discomfort and money.