Self Check

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Let's be frank, it should be one of everyone’s top responsibilities to look after their own health. As well as doing all the obvious things like eating right, cutting down on harmful substances and exercising on a regular basis, there are also plenty of do- it- yourself health checks which can help you with preventative measures. I tend to keep my physician on speed dial if any questions should arise, but out of those conversations I learned a lot of tips! Here are just a few things that you can do for yourself that can help you to spot issues in the first place. Remember to consult your physician as well! Make 2018 the year that you make major strides on your health and preventative measures.

Nail Check

Next time you book that nail appointment or are applying polish to your nails, there are two things that you should look out for. First of all, if they are particularly weak and brittle, this may simply be a sign of ageing, but you could also manage getting some more iron in your diet to address the problem. Secondly, if the nails are a yellowish color, it may be the case that there is some sort of fungal issue. In that case, you should get it checked out by a professional.

Urine Check

Checking your pee is a good way of seeing whether you have any simple or more complex medical issues. The most obvious of these is dehydration, and the main sign is that it is dark in colour. Drink a few glasses of water to see if this makes a difference. However, if you see anything more concerning like blood (if you're not on your cycle) or you are in pain when you urinate, you need to speak to your doctor. If something serious is diagnosed, it is always worth getting a second opinion in case of cancer misdiagnosis or something similar. Going to get checked early is always the best policy.

Weight Check

If you are someone who doesn’t like to step on the scales too often, now is the time to change your policy. Noticing dramatic weight loss or gain can help you to spot a number of issues that you may be having. A few of the potential causes could be pregnancy, hypothyroidism, fluid retention or even diabetes. If you do notice an issue, speak to a professional as soon as you can rather than assuming that the problem will resolve itself.

Eyelids & Tongue Check

Another simple way of spotting if your body is low in the iron department is by checking your eyelids and tongue. Start by getting yourself in front of a mirror and pulling your lower eyelid down. Check out the colour of the skin on the inside. Next, stick out your tongue and check its colour. Both should be nicely lubricated and red in colour. If they are a pale pink, then you may be suffering from iron deficiency.

So, there you have four health checks which are certainly worth doing on a regular basis. Although they may only seem like small tasks, these simple health checks can help you spot if you are having any bigger problems.  Make this year the year that you do better for your health! Dear readers, what preventative measures are you making for your health this year?