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Prioritizing Health: 7 Self-Exams That You Can Do from the Comfort of Your Own Home

It’s time to start prioritizing our health. As we grow older, it is important that we are aware of the steps that we can take to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

As well as making important lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and regular exercise, it is important that we also conduct self-exams. They will help you identify signs of underlying health issues that you may not have realized you have. Today, we will be discussing seven self-exams that you can do from the comfort of your own home.  

Skin

Skin examinations are simple to carry out and you should aim to do them as regularly as possible. New moles on your skin or existing moles that have changed could be an early sign of skin cancer. If you are unsure on how to conduct a skin examination then it can help to conduct some research of your own. There is plenty of advice out there which can walk you through each step of the process. It can help to use a full body mirror so you can easily examine each area of your body. If you notice any moles that you are concerned about you should consult with your doctor. They will advise you on the best course of action to take. 

BMI

If you have a high level of body fat then you could be putting yourself at a greater risk of serious conditions like heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. So, it is important that you maintain a healthy amount of body fat. Too little body fat and you could suffer from a lowered immune system and brittle bone. 

To help you understand how much body fat you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you will need to calculate your body mass index (BMI) You will calculate this using factors like your weight, height and sex. If this is your first time calculating your BMI, then you may want to conduct some research first to ensure that you are doing it correctly. 

Gums

Many of us do not realize how much of an effect our gums can have on our overall health. In fact, gum disease can be a serious health problem for all adults. Gum disease has been linked to other serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. In order to conduct a self-examination at home there are some things you should look out for when you brush and floss. If you spot that your gums are bleeding, you have persistent bad breath, receding gums or loose teeth then this could be a sign that you have gum disease.

If you can catch these signs early, this will be better for your health. So, if you notice that you are suffering from any of the symptoms above, you should book an appointment with your dentist to discuss the matter further. 

Breast Exams

Breast self-exams are increasingly becoming essential for maintaining breast health. Any changes that you notice in your breasts could be a sign of breast cancer. So, it is important that we are regularly taking time to check them. If you are new to breast self-exams and you have never done one before then this article on breast lumps will tell you everything you need to know. Luckily, they are easy to do. What you are looking for is any differences between your breasts. Have a feel around and try to identify if you can feel any lumps. 

If you conduct a breast self-exam and you are worried about anything that you may have found it is advised that you book an appointment with your doctor at your nearest convenience. Sometimes, it can be nothing to worry about, but it is safer to get checked out. 

Nails

You may be surprised to know that your fingers and your toenails can tell you a lot about your health. But how? If you notice any changes to their colour, shape, texture and growth this can actually be a tell-tale sign that a disease is present in your body. For example, if your nails are pale this can indicate that you have a condition such as liver disease, heart failure or anaemia. Dark lines under your nails can also be a sign of melanoma which is a serious type of skin cancer.  

There is an abundance of information online regarding nail health. It can help to conduct some research of your own, so you are aware of what to look out for. 

Heart Rate

Heart disease continues to be a leading cause of death for both men and women. In order for you to check your heart health, there is a simple self-examination that you can conduct at home. To check your pulse when you are at rest you should place the first two fingers of one hand on the area at the base of your wrist on your other hand. Count your pulse for ten seconds and then multiply it by six. A normal pulse rate should range anywhere from 60 to 100. Anything outside of that range could identify a cardiovascular problem. 

Eye Health

Your eyesight is one of your most important senses. It is important that we do what we can to protect them. Doing so will help you to reduce the odds of blindness and vision loss and it can also help you stay on top of diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma. But how can you exam your eye health at home? There are actually a few ways that you can achieve this.

Firstly, you can download a vision chart online. Print and tape the chart to a wall and sit ten feet away from it. Cover one eye with your hand and read each line. Repeat on the other eye. You can also order an eye test kit to your home. If you have any concerns regarding your eyesight, you should book an appointment with your optician as soon as possible.

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