It should go without saying that your health is important, and it’s vital that you take care of yourself both mentally and physically. While it’s always best to see a doctor for a professional opinion, there are several easy health checks you can conduct yourself at home with little to no equipment. These simple tests can give you a better idea of your overall health and help you catch potential problems early on. Most importantly, self-checks and self-monitoring can give you peace of mind and motivate you to see a doctor sooner. From checking your blood pressure to conducting a skin cancer check, this article will go over three easy health checks you can conduct at home.
Blood Pressure Check
One easy test you can do at home is to check your blood pressure. Checking blood pressure is important because it can help to indicate whether your blood pressure is in an abnormal range or too high. High blood pressure can be a serious medical condition that can lead to heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.
To self-check your blood pressure, you can purchase a blood pressure monitor at your local pharmacy or online. If you’re a member of a gym or community centre, they will likely also have a blood pressure cuff available for members to use.
Simply wrap the cuff around your upper arm and inflate it until it feels snug. Then, look at the readings show on the monitor. The first number (systolic pressure) is your upper number, and the second number (diastolic pressure) is your lower number. A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80 or lower. If you’re not sure how to interrupt your blood pressure results, you should see your GP.
Cholesterol
If you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels, you can also conduct a simple test at home using a kit from your local pharmacy. Cholesterol is a type of fat that can build up in your arteries and form plaque. This can lead to heart disease, stroke and other problems, so monitoring your cholesterol levels is critical in order to understand your overall health.
This test requires a small sample of blood, which you can obtain by pricking your finger with a lancet. Once you have your blood sample, use the kit to determine your cholesterol levels. A normal cholesterol reading is 200 mg/dL or less. Of course, if you’re not sure how to interpret the results of your cholesterol self-test, you should seek an appointment with your GP.
Skin Cancer Check
Conducting a regular skin cancer check is important for monitoring the status of your moles and reducing your risk of developing skin cancer. Luckily, you can easily check for skin cancer at home.
First, take a look at your skin in the mirror. Note any changes in moles or freckles, or any new growths. Pay attention to changes in size, shape, colour or texture. To track the progress of your moles and freckles, you can take photos and note the date and time the photo was taken.
Next, feel your skin all over for any bumps or lumps. Be sure to check areas that don’t get much sun exposure, such as under your arms and on your scalp. Note if any of these lumps and growths are painful to touch. If any are painful, consult with a skin cancer doctor immediately.
Finally, take a close look at your nails. Skin cancer can sometimes cause changes in the nails, such as dark streaks or spots. There can also be cancerous moles hidden underneath the nails that are hard to see unless you look at them closely.
If you notice any changes in your skin, it’s important to see a doctor right away. However, keep in mind that most skin changes are not cancerous. Still, it’s best to err on the side of caution and conduct a regular skin cancer check at home as well as see a professional when possible.
