There are several benefits of regular check-ups. However, going to the healthcare centers every other day might not be possible for many. Also, in situations like COVID, it is safe to be at home itself. In such cases, you can perform health check-ups at home. Yes, various diagnostic tools can help you to perform check-ups at home easily and accurately. Devices such as thermometers, home blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeters, ECG monitors, glucometers, etc., help in performing home tests.
Also, it is always advisable to seek a respective doctor’s help to learn how to operate the particular device and which measures you should take if some illness gets detected through those devices. There are numerous health tests that one can perform at home like the below 7 check-ups:
Take Your Temperature
Your body temperature can easily determine if you might have a fever. You can check this through a thermometer. Adults’ normal temperature is near 37° C (98.6° F), but this can vary according to factors like age, time of day, and from which part of the body one takes the temperature. To know your body’s normal temperature, you should measure your temperature with a thermometer when you are in good health.
And for an accurate reading, one should invest in good quality thermometers. Also keeping thermometers safely and handy in a first aid kit or in pill boxes is also important.
Some wearable devices can also measure body temperature like smart watches, but the readings may not be reliable.
Also, if the situation gets even a bit worse than a normal fever, one should immediately seek medical advice via virtual or physical consultation.
Testicular Checks
This is a vital check one should perform regularly to discover lumps or swellings in the testicular region to indicate any severe condition like cancer. How to perform the test?
- Check testicles after a warm bath
- Hold the scrotum in the palm
- Use both hand’s fingers and thumbs of to examine your testes
In case you feel any unusual lump or swelling, heavy scrotum, or sharp pain you should immediately consult a specialist.
Breast Checkup
Breast changes can occur for various reasons, and most may not seem severe. Thus, it is important to stay conscious of how your breasts feel and look at different levels of your menstrual cycle. You should look out for even minor changes in the outline or shape of the breast, check if there are any lumps or bumps.
Also, look for any changes to the breast nipple or skin as these could signify breast cancer. You should seek a doctor’s consultation as soon as you notice any of the changes.
Checking Your Heart Rate
Your normal heart rate depends on your age and fitness. Your morning resting heart rate indicates your general wellness. Therefore, you should check your heart rate every morning for a week to analyze and know your usual pulse rate. You can check it manually or by using a heart rate monitor, wearable, smartphone app or fitness tracker.
A change of 10 heartbeats per minute (bpm) or more can be an indication of an unhealthy heart and body. Changes above 100 bpm suggests that you are sick, stressed, dehydrated, or excited. If an elevated heart rate persists, then immediately consult a doctor.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure indicates a major risk of strokes, kidney disease, heart failure, and heart attack. There are often no warning symptoms, so for knowing any abnormality, you need to check your blood pressure regularly. And home blood pressure monitors can make regular blood pressure checks easier for you. You just have to make sure that you are in a calm environment while performing the test.
Normal blood pressure rate in adults ranges between 90/60 and 120/80 mmHg. If anyone has high blood pressure, then one should consider:
- Exercising daily
- Eating healthily
- Keeping your weight down
- Cutting salt and alcohol intake
Also, consulting a doctor is important if there is any change in blood pressure.
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Meningitis Test
Meningitis is a critical disease, especially for children. This disease develops quickly and often proves to be fatal. But, spotting the early symptoms by yourself can save lives. Below are the symptoms you should take seriously:
- Drowsiness
- Non-fading rashes
- Neck stiffness
- Flu-like symptoms
- An aversion to bright lights
But one should not wait until a rash develops; instead, rush to get medical help immediately if you suspect symptoms of meningitis.
Checking Blood Sugar Levels
Diabetes can lead to serious and fatal issues like stroke, blindness, heart diseases, kidney malfunction, dental problems, etc. To keep a regular check on sugar count and have a balanced diet is mandatory for diabetic or non-diabetic people. For sugar tests, you can invest in a home blood glucose tester.
If you suffer from any common signs of diabetes like dry mouth, headaches, increased thirst, increased hunger, or blurred vision then you should seek a doctor’s consultation.
Takeaway
Consulting a doctor is always more recommended and reliable to get any help in case of any query or abnormal indications in your body. For conducting body tests at home, you should always invest in good quality diagnostic tools for accurate and reliable readings. Regular check-ups can help you to indicate any abnormalities in your body in the early stages. And consulting a doctor immediately can save you from severe conditions.
Ensure you keep a proper check on these equipment’s accuracy and change or repair the equipment if you detect any malfunctioning. Keeping your pills properly arranged in a pill box also helps in case of many diseases or dosages.
