These 7 DIY Health Checks can Prevent Early Death

Your health is your most valuable asset; if you have poor health, life usually gets pretty hard to live, let alone enjoy. Everyone should make it a mission to visit the doctor once a year for an annual health checkup, including a skin check and PAP smear (or at least once every two years). However, there are also 7 easy ways you can check your health at home. Keep it mind that these do it yourself health checks are precautionary only and should not be used as a substitute to a visit to your doctor. But they are easy to do and free, so why not give it a go?

1. Skin Check

Skin cancer is a serious concern for all residents of Australia, regardless of whether you spend a lot of time in the sun or not. Count up the number of moles all over your body (get hubby to go it to you and then swap). If you come across more than 100 moles, this doesn’t mean anything is wrong but you should schedule a visit to the doctor and have him check them out individually, just in case.

2. Artery Check

According to Japanese researchers, your flexibility is a good indication of the health of your arteries. Yes, odd, we know, but it only takes a minute to see where you stand (or reach). Sit on the floor with your back pushed up against a wall and reach for your toes, keeping your legs straight. If you can reach your toes or past them, then this doesn’t only indicate that you are flexible, but also that your arteries are in good shape.

3. Anemia Check 

Feeling a little sluggish lately? It could be an iron deficiency, which is the most common nutritional deficiency amongst women of child-bearing age and is easily fixed with iron supplements or increasing your intake of iron enriched foods. To check this for yourself, check the colour under your eyelids and under the tongue. If these areas are pale pink or white rather than a healthy red, then it could suggest you have an iron deficiency – best to make an appt with your GP for a blood test.

4. Heart Check

How likely are you to have a heart attack in the near future? This is not a question that a DIY health check can answer but research suggests that by measuring your resting heart rate, you can get a slight idea. To do this, press your index finger in between the two small bones on your opposite wrist until you feel the pulse. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply this number by four. This is your resting heart rate. If the number is higher than 80, then some medical studies suggest that there could be a higher risk of having a heart attack. However, keep in mind that there are many factors that contribute to your resting heart rate, such as height, weight, fitness, illness, stress, medications and dehydration. Always do this test when you are calm and have been resting, such as just before you get up in the morning.

5. Bowel Check

This is a fun one (okay, not really). Essentially, what you do is eat corn and then check your poop the next few days to see when the corn leaves your bowels. If your bowel movement includes ‘yellow’ corn pieces within 48 hours, then you’re good to go. If it takes longer to dispel your corn dinner, then this could be an indication that your digestive system could need a check up. Or you could buy one of those new fandangle tests from the chemist.

6. Eye Check

Check how well your eyes are aging by covering one eye at a time and looking at the horizontal and vertical lines by a nearby window frame. If the lines appear to wavy or distorted, then it’s time to see your eye doctor. The reason? This is a possible sign of macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in Australia.

7. Breast Check

All of us women have to be proactive about breast cancer, and the best way is to spot it early. You should always lie down when doing a self-examination. If you’re doing the left breast, place the left arm under your head, palm up, and use the right hand to check, rubbing gently in a circular motion over the whole breast. When in doubt, at your next doctors appointment, have the doctor show you how!

If you become concerned about your health,  please seek immediate medical attention or go to our health hotlines and website post for further resources –  https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/important-hotlines-websites/ 

SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information.  All information provided is correct at time of publication. 

Source:

Good Health Magazine.