Health Checks Worth Doing on a Regular Basis
Illness is something we as humans are
forever dreading, especially since we know some cases can be chronic or
life-threatening. The worst part is, we don’t realize we're ill until
the symptoms become unavoidable. By following the self-checks below you
can assure yourself of your body's health - they’re quick, easy and
definitely worth knowing! You’d be surprised to see what the smallest
sign in your body may indicate.
1. Check your eyes for cholesterol levels
A lack of white in your eyes normally indicates that you’re tired or
hung-over, but surprisingly enough, excess white in your eyes, such as a
white line circling your iris, might be indicative of high cholesterol
levels. Finding that your eyelids have a flat, yellowish color with
velvety patches is also a serious sign. Do not let this symptom go
unnoticed and risk getting further complications, such as coronary heart
disease, which can lead to heart attacks in the future. See your GP to
get your cholesterol checked and treated!
2. Count your moles to check for skin diseases
Moles are generally harmless, but if you find that you have more than 50
moles on your body, take this as a big warning sign, especially if they
are multi-colored, growing in size, seem inflamed, or have a ragged
edge. If you notice any of these signs in your moles, a good idea would
be to regularly keep a record of their development by taking photos so
it would be easier for your doctor to inspect them. If your moles also
start to redden, become itchy or even bleed, seek medical advice as soon
as possible. Such unusual-looking moles may be the cause of a type of
skin cancer called malignant melanoma. Take our moles test to see if you
know your moles.
3. Look for signs before you flush the toilet
Our excretions can also tell us about the health of our intestines, our
digestion and our level of hydration. Every stool color, for instance,
indicates different dietary causes or even problems. For example, a
yellow color indicates excess fats, due to a malabsorption disorder such
as celiac disease. What is most worrying is finding black or red
stools, which may signify stomach or intestinal bleeding. These call for
prompt medical attention. Urine can also be checked for its color: A
pale color signifies good health, whereas a dark yellow color might mean
you're dehydrated and need to increase your intake of water.
4. Check your eyebrows for thyroid health
If you notice an unusual lack of thickness in your eyebrows, it could be
that you are suffering from an underactive thyroid, which means that
your thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones. You may need to
speak to a doctor, especially if you are also gaining weight and feeling
tired and/or depressed. A blood test should easily confirm this
problem. If left untreated, it might lead to heart disease, the
appearance of goiters, pregnancy complications and other health issues.
5. Watch your stomach for signs of Ovarian
cancer
Bloating in your stomach area can have a range of different causes,
including menstruation, intolerance to dairy products, eating too fast,
constipation, medical side-effects, and a typically common assumption -
weight gain. However, did you know this could also be the cause of very
serious health conditions? Ovarian cancer is one of them, and its
symptoms also include nausea and persistent pain or cramps in the
stomach or back. Speak to a doctor if you experience these in a severe
way so you can treat it in its early stages. Reduce general stomach
bloating by eating more slowly, consuming less carbonated drinks, and
avoiding chewing gum and drinking through straws.
6. Check your breathing by doing some
step-ups
Have you been feeling more tired than usual after climbing up a flight
of stairs? This can also be directly connected to your health. Doing
some exercise can both act as a test for yourself and also as a
practice. Step-ups are mostly recommended because they elevate the heart
rate and hence our breathing. For this exercise, you must find a
relatively high step (not higher than your hips) and step up and down.
Try doing 70 of these in three minutes and then put your fingers on your
pulse to check it. If it’s over 100 and you’re still out of breath 10
minutes after the exercise, then you need to consider exercising more
frequently. Lack of exercise can lead to serious diseases such as
obesity, breast cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even early
death.
7. Calculate the time you spend sitting down daily
As we become more technology-dependent, we are adopting more of a
sedentary lifestyle. According to the US Women’s Health Study, women
over 50 who sit for 11 hours a day reduce their life expectancy by 9
years! The consequences for a sedentary lifestyle can be very serious,
including deep vein thrombosis, colon cancer, osteoporosis, kidney
stones and a Spinal disc herniation (slipped disc). Improve your
lifestyle by adding regular physical activity to your routine, at least
2.5 hours a week.
8. Look out for temperature changes in your body
Care for your blood vessels' health and circulation by observing the
temperature changes in your body, especially in extreme temperature
conditions. Excess heat from the sun, stress, and eating very spicy food
may cause flushing in the face – particularly redness in the cheeks and
nose. This means that the blood vessels are dilating and this may not
be a healthy sign, especially if you are a woman between 30 and 55. Cold
conditions can be just as dangerous to our body if we aren’t prepared
for them – frequently experiencing cold feet or hands indicates lack of
circulation, which could lead to Raynaud’s disease (suffering from
excessively reduced blood flow). So, make sure to take the necessary
precautions before this becomes a risk!
9. Inspect your nipples for signs of breast
cancer
A well-known pointer that calls for a professional body check-up is
having abnormalities in your nipples. Be on the look-out for
inward-facing nipples as this could be a typical sign of breast cancer.
If your nipples show any eczema, discharge or bloodstains, take action.
Make sure to look out for these signs regularly when showering and find
time to do regular exercise, eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, and
drink less alcohol to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer.
10. Examine your nails to look out for fungal infections
It is rather easy for toenails to get an infection and one of the
obvious symptoms of this event is when the nail becomes discolored,
thickens, or becomes brittle, causing discomfort in your feet. Keep your
feet safe from this by checking them regularly, keeping them clean and
dry from excess sweat due to the heat, using shoes that are just right
for your feet and not too old, not trimming or picking the skin around
the toenails, and avoid walking barefoot in public places. If you do
suffer from an infected toenail, seek medical assistance and use
antifungal spray or powder to treat it.