Medical Self Tests

In order to maintain a good health, you should have a full medical checkup at least once a year. However, you should also monitor your health between your doctor visits. There are simple and special tests that you can carry out to diagnose severe issues. These tests are so efficient that they can tell you if something is wrong before symptoms start to manifest.

We are going to discuss a series of simple steps you can try to help you detect and quickly control the development of some diseases.

1. Diabetes

This test requires help to be carried out. You could ask your partner to get a pencil that has an eraser and have them touch your foot and toes, using the sharp end of the pencil and then with the eraser, in turns. If you can tell which side of the pencil is being used to touch you without looking, then you no reason to panic.

You have reasons to panic if you don’t feel anything when you are touched. This means that your nerve endings on your feet aren’t functioning well. Weak sensitivity is a clear sign of diabetes.

2. Heart and lung diseases

By making your fingers in the shape of an upside-down of the letter J, then join your nails together. If a tiny diamond is formed, it means your heart and vessels are in excellent conditions.

However, if there is no space between the fingers joined together, this is a sign of nail clubbing. This means that blood isn’t getting enough supply of oxygen and can cause your fingers to become thicker. Short supply of oxygen can be as a result of different factors, which may include lung problems, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal issues.

3. Anemia

Pull your load eyelids down when standing in front of a mirror. You have nothing to be worried about if the color you see is pink. However, if the color you see appears to be yellowish or pale pink, then you have anemia.

Anemia is commonly caused by the deficiency of hemoglobin, and it means that the tissues and muscle in the body aren’t getting enough supply of oxygen. You must get a doctor to examine you quickly if you notice you get tired easily, breathe heavily or look pale. Something is definitely wrong.

4. Hormonal imbalance and lack of micro-elements

Hair loss is a natural process, and according to medical professionals, we tend to lose about 50 to 100 hairs each day. It’s a normal thing, and there is no reason to worry. Nonetheless, you should be concerned if you gently pull on your hair, ensuring it is clean and dry, and there is more than 4-5 strands lose when you pull.

There can be a number of reasons why people suffer from hair loss — reasons that may include; poor hygiene, stress, or extreme health issues. The hair may become thin if one suffers from hormonal imbalance or lacks the necessary amount of nutrients to enrich the body.

5. Stroke and dementia

A timer is needed for this test as it requires you to have your leg lifted up while your timer is running. If you can lift each leg up for a minimum of 20 minutes, then it shows you have a lesser chance of developing stroke or having dementia. It might be indicating a health problem if you have problems maintaining balance on a leg.

6. Hearing

A quiet room is required to do this test. Keep your hand close to your ear and rub your fingers together. Can you hear the sounds that are made when you rub your fingers? Extend your fingers away from your ears and rub them together. You are good to go if you can hear the sounds. Do the same for your next ear.

7. Cardiovascular disease

This test is best done outdoors. Get a ladder and climb about 8-12 steps while singing or reading something. The point is to talk, but if you feel you can’t breathe well and your heart is pounding more than usual, then it means that your lungs and your cardiovascular system aren’t fit for such activities.

8. Carpal tunnel syndrome

This test is done to detect a major problem of office workers, bikers and artists. This test can be done by lifting up your hands knowing such a way that your forearms are parallel to your face. Try touching the base of your palms with the tip of your fingers.

If you can hold this position for a minute or two, then you have nothing to worry about. If however, you start feeling pain, numbness in your wrists and fingers, or tingling, then this is a clear sign of tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome manifests when the neighboring tissues relaxes on the median nerve. This causes pains and stiffness that only gets worse if proper treatment isn’t administered.

9. Arterial issues

Put your feet up at a 45° angle while lying on the floor. Keep them up for some minutes and monitor the color of your body feet. If your feet appear really pale, then this is a clear sign that there is a circulation of bad blood. Also, the color change can be seen in one foot or both.

Peripheral arteries are responsible for delivering blood to the limbs and may get clogged if the muscles are lacking oxygen. It requires immediate attention if you notice pain, numbness, and other symptoms. It may lead to heart attack and even stroke if necessary attention isn’t given to it.

Be reminded that self-made tests can’t be substituted for professional opinions of a medical doctor. If you feel uneasy or worried about how you feel, then you should do well to see a doctor immediately.

Have you tried any of the above tests? Are there self-tests not mentioned above? Feel free to share with us in the comments.