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. Learn more about what the color of your urine says about your health. 

 

 

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 anti-fungal spray or powder to treat it.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Pregnancy and heat

It is normal for a pregnant woman's body temp to rise.
Inability of the body to cool down and bounce back into the normal range refers to body heat. It is crucial to identify the symptoms that indicate this uneasy state of the body. These include sleeplessness, a sort of burning sensation in the eyes, uneasiness in the stomach, ulcers, digestion problems like acidity and gas. In some people, it can impact the heart rate, leading to rapid heart beat among many other symptoms.

There are innumerable causes of body heat. Residing in places with extreme temperatures, exposure to heat wave is not uncommon.  When individuals do not take the required precautions to avoid suffering from dehydration, it can lead to a fatal condition known as a heat stroke. In this condition, people are unable to control their body temperature and fever rises uncontrollably. This could be life threatening if not diagnosed at an early stage.

Surprisingly, the clothes that we wear play a significant role in maintaining our body temperature. Clothes that are synthetic trap moisture and thus lead to high body temperature. A more serious problem is the thyroid gland that becomes more active and changes the temperature of the body. Prolonged fever or infections are also predominant causes of high body heat. Certain neurological disorders and medicines that are not prescribed by doctors can cause this condition as well.

Eating very hot and spicy food is a contributing factor that gives rise to heat. So people who insist on consuming oily and fried food must be careful. In the field of Ayurveda, they often distinguish between foods that are hot in nature and those that have a cooling effect. Thus nuts must be avoided. Diets that are rich in proteins, especially for people who are fitness enthusiasts, must be controlled. Protein rich foods are a storehouse of heat causing agents. Meat, eggs and cinnamon powder are all prime sources that can cause potential damage, leading to rise in body heat.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                      PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/   

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Early Signs of Multiple Sclerosis

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.






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 Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease in which the covers of the nerves in the brain and spinal cord are damaged, disrupting the ability of the nervous system to communicate. This means that an individual can lose control of certain parts of their body, even to the point of complete paralysis. Fortunately, a number of early symptoms of this disease are known and recognizable, allowing the affected to get early treatment.

  1)Vision
Where it comes from: One of the first signs that you may have MS lies in problems with your vision. The optic nerves can be affected as a result of MS, meaning that the signals coming from your eye to your brain and vice versa - get confused.

What you may feel: You notice that your eyes hurt, either all the time or only when you move them. This can be true of both eyes, although it is more likely to occur in just one eye at a time. It may be expressed as double or blurry vision, or you may notice that certain colors look dim. Another warning sign is uncontrollable eye movements, particularly when you turn to the side.

What you should do: If you experience any of these issues with your vision, you should first make an appointment with an ophthalmologist to make sure that there are no other causes for your vision problems. Only after seeing an ophthalmologist should you consult your doctor or health professional.

2. Your Balance

Where it comes from: MS disrupts the signals between the brain and the spinal cord, which could lead to something called benign positional vertigo (BPV), an inner ear problem that causes vertigo.

What you may feel: If you experience this symptom, you may notice that you easily tip over when you are asked to stand on one leg, or that you feel off balance and clumsier in general. You may even feel unbalanced when you step over an obstacle or curb, or even dizzy when you move from sitting to standing.

What you should do: If you experience any of these effects, you should begin to take mental note of the activities that have become more difficult and think about whether you may have had trouble doing these things in the past.

3. Tingly Feeling

Where it comes from: This is the most common sign of MS, but it is easily missed.

What you may feel: You may feel a tickle, prickly or crawly feeling, much like pins and needles when your feet fall asleep. This becomes a sign of MS when that tingly feeling then moves up to your legs and into your arms.

What you should do: Every time that you experience a tingly feeling or numbness, you should first try to identify if you've done anything to cut off your circulation. You should also notice if you feel the prickliness just at night (which is a sign of restless leg syndrome) or during the day time as well. If there is no other logical explanation, consult a doctor.

4. Sudden Changes in Body Temperature

Where it comes from: One of the effects of disrupted nerve signals is that it can cause confused sensations, meaning that suddenly you may feel extremely cold or hot.

What you may feel: You may notice that there are sudden extremes of cold and heat mostly in your hands and feet and then your torso, but not all over your body like in a regular hot flash or chill.

What you should do: Keep track of these reactions and tell your doctors about them. If you are a pre-menopausal women, make sure that these sudden changes aren't a result of changes in your hormones.
 5. Constipation

Where it comes from: Yes, even this could be an early sign of MS. If you've been regular in the past and all of a sudden are having problems with constipation, this is something to take note of.

What you may feel: Be aware if your stools are less frequent and if you need to make longer trips to the bathroom. You also may gain weight and suddenly feel bloated.

What you should do: This is more of a symptom to add to the list of others (as 'proof') because constipation can be caused by many things. If you are unsure, it is best to consult with your doctor before drawing any conclusions.


6. Confusing Symptoms

Where it comes from: MS is not easy to diagnose because your symptoms may switch around in a very confusing way.

What you may feel: You may notice that episodes of stiffness and tremors vanishes, only to be followed later by a bout of constipation. You may feel like you are having one health problem after another and feel as if something is 'off'.

What you should do: Clusters of unexplained, seemingly unrelated symptoms should be brought to your doctor's attention.

7. Trembling Hands

Where it comes from: MS can affect your muscles in a number of ways, weakness and spasms being the most common.

What you may feel: You may notice that precise hand movements, like buttoning a shirt or using tweezers are difficult. Your hands may tremble as you pick things up, and you may feel clumsier.

What you should do: If the weakness and stiffness remain over a period of a few weeks, you should speak to your doctor who will rule out other health conditions like arthritis. In general, muscle spasms should always be reported to your doctor.

8. Fuzzy Thinking

Where it comes from: Cognitive impairment is one of the earliest signs of MS, but most people only recognize it in retrospect, once they have been diagnosed with other symptoms.

What you may feel: You may notice that you are unable to concentrate like you used to and that you are easily distracted. You lose track of tasks when you are in the middle of them, and words slip more easily from memory.

What you should do: Tell your doctor that you are experiencing cognitive differences, especially if you are under the age of 40 - the typical age for the onset of MS.


9. Disappearing Symptoms

Where it comes from: MS is a chronic disease, but it doesn't follow a steady progression, meaning that some MS patients go into remission for a long period of time, until the symptoms reappear.

What you may feel: You may feel confused and frustrated because once you seriously begin worrying about a symptom, it disappears.

What you should do: It's best to keep a record of all that you notice, how long it lasts, and any of the activities that seem to make it worse. Also, note whether you experience the symptoms when you are rested and healthy, or when you are tired and stressed, letting your doctor know.

10. Feeling Tired

Where it comes from: A weak and weary feeling is another of the most common signs of MS, but it is also the hardest to diagnose since it can be a sign of many illnesses. Most MS patients claim that they experience chronic fatigue until other symptoms set in.

What you may feel: You may notice that you are exhausted all the time, that it is hard to get out of bed even when you've had a good night's sleep and you feel physically exhausted. Your arms and legs may feel heavy and clumsy.

What you should do: If you experience fatigue, you should consult with your doctor that this is not a normal symptom and explain that it comes on suddenly. Provide specific examples of when the tiredness and fatigue set in, and that it prevents you from engaging in your daily activities.

MS is a very serious condition that should be treated from its first sign, so be aware of these common early warning signs, and make sure that your friends and families are too.

Body temperature change may trigger sudden cardiac death

Changes in body temperature may trigger sudden death caused by cardiac arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, a new study has claimed.

The soccer player who drops dead in the middle of a game, or the infant who dies during sleep is often a victim of arrhythmia, researchers said.

Sudden cardiac death has several causes, including inheritable mutations in our DNA citing structure and function of proteins in the heart.

Professor Peter Ruben from the Simon Fraser University in Canada found when studying the proteins that underlie electrical signalling in the heart, and subjecting those proteins to conditions that are similar to the stress of exercise, in some cases, temperature can cause changes that trigger arrhythmia.

According to Ruben, when muscle cells in our hearts contract rhythmically and in a well-coordinated way, the heart efficiently pumps blood throughout our bodies.

When the rhythmic pumping action is disrupted by an arrhythmia, our hearts can no longer distribute blood.

In extreme cases, this leads to sudden cardiac death.

"The electrical signal behind muscle contraction is produced by tiny protein molecules in the membrane of our heart cells. Temperature fluctuations modify the way all proteins behave, but some DNA mutations can make proteins especially sensitive to changes in temperature," he said.

Ruben's team found a protein that is far more sensitive to temperature than normal. When normal body temperature goes up for example, during exercise, or goes down during sleep, the affected protein no longer functions normally.

The disrupted protein function causes the electrical signal in our heart to become erratic, triggering an arrhythmia and, potentially, sudden cardiac death.

The DNA mutation that creates more temperature-sensitive proteins is very rare, but it can produce deadly results when combined with another arrhythmia trigger, such as changes in the acid content of our blood that occur normally as a by-product of exercise and sleep, particularly sleep apnea.

"For many years, we have studied sodium channels, the proteins in our hearts that produce electrical signals," said Ruben.

"An earlier study of ours found that temperature changes are a trigger for some seizure disorders. We imagined that cardiac arrhythmia are like seizures and wondered whether they might share the same triggers," he said.

Ruben notes that with this new knowledge, people can examine their family histories and, if sudden cardiac death is part of that family history, or if they suffer from unexplained fainting, they can seek medical advice.

The study was published in the Journal of Physiology.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.






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