8 health tests you can do at home
Feeling under the weather? Worried about your health? Well, there are a bunch of health tests that you can do at home. Now, it’s important to note that if you feel like you need medical attention, you should see a professional straight away. However, if you just want to get a little more clued up about your general health, here are eight health tests you can do at home.
Take your temperature
People have been taking their temperature for well over 100 years. Why? Because it’s a pretty solid indicator that something is not right with your body. The normal temperature for adults is around 37ºC (98.6ºF) but this can vary slightly depending on age, location, and time of day. If you take your temperature and it’s nowhere near 37ºC (98.6ºF), you should see a doctor right away.
Testicular checks
For guys, it’s really important to check for lumps or swellings in the testicular region. This could be a sign of testicular cancer, so it’s important to check regularly. The best time to do it is after a warm bath or shower. If you feel anything unusual or feel any pain, seek medical advice.
Be breast aware
It’s just as important to be aware of breast cancer. This means being aware of how your breasts look and feel during different points in your menstrual cycle. You should also check regularly for lumps, thickening, bumps, and changes to the nipple or skin.
Checking your heart rate
Nowadays, it’s possible to access a whole host of medical devices for use at home. Personal heart-rate monitors have come a long way in the last decade or so. Now, you can get an accurate reading, which can tell you a lot about your health. Check first thing in the morning every day and record your reading. A change of 10 bpm or more could indicate an illness.
Thyroid test
The thyroid plays a major part in your daily wellness. Too much or too little thyroid activity can be a serious cause for concern. To check this at home, you will need a Thyroid test, which you can then send off to a doctor and get the results back within days.
Blood pressure
High blood pressure is dangerous and is a major risk factor for strokes, heart attack, and kidney disease. One of the biggest dangers of high blood pressure is the lack of warning before a serious medical emergency. To avoid this, it’s important to check your blood pressure and ensure that it is between the normal levels of 90/60 and 120/80 mmHg.
Blood and swab tests
Now, it’s possible to send blood and swab tests off from the comfort of your own home. That means you can get a doctor to check cholesterol levels, and check for allergies, HIV, UTIs, and more.
Checking blood sugar levels
Diabetes is a common condition that can cause all sorts of serious health problems. To check for diabetes, you will need to complete a home blood sugar level test. However, the results won’t tell you for definite, you will still have to consult a doctor.