DIY health tests that ARE worth doing...
WE’RE all guilty of ignoring those health niggles, from twinges and pains to lumps and bumps – even when we know we really shouldn’t.
And while it’s all too easy to pretend everything is fine, experts agree you should always take note of warning signs and never ignore symptoms.
“Poor health doesn’t manifest itself randomly and rarely appears out of the blue”, says Sara Davenport, author of Reboot Your Health – Simple DIY Tests and Solutions to Assess and Improve Your Health.
“I believe the body whispers before it shouts so it’s important we listen,” says Davenport, who started the charity Breast Cancer Haven 21 years ago. “I’ve spent years talking to people who are gravely ill and the huge regret many of them have is that they didn’t listen to their bodies earlier.”
With our ageing population and the struggling NHS, Davenport believes it’s time we took responsibility.
Here she shares some tests you can do at home to give yourself a bit of a health MoT once a year.
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t consult your doctor as soon as you feel unwell, but doing these tests is a really good indicator for how you’re feeling overall,” says Davenport.
Why? Before you can become your own health detective you need to get a health base line. If you know where you are now, you can track how you’re doing in the years to come.
How? Sit quietly, take deep breaths and consider how your body’s feeling. Are you energised or tired? Make a note of physical symptoms that are worrying you, medication you’re taking, how much you sleep and exercise, as well as your weight. And then consider how you’re feeling emotionally.
What then? Consider the lifestyle changes you can make. Only a quarter of the state of our health is down to genetics, the rest is due to lifestyle and stress management.
Why? Shaped like a butterfly, the thyroid sits in the middle of your neck, under your chin, and produces hormones that regulate weight, body temperature and digestion. It also keeps your brain working clearly.
How? As soon as you wake up in the morning, place a thermometer in your armpit. Leave it there for 10 minutes and make a note of the reading. Mark your temperature over a period of days. (Women should start the test about three days after their period).
What then? If it’s usually lower than 36.6°C (97.8°F), or higher than 36.8°C (98.2°F), you may need thyroid support and should consult your doctor.
Why? Candida is a common yeast found in the body that can cause athlete’s foot, thrush or ringworm, but there are other less obvious symptoms too, including exhaustion and gut and urinary tract infections.
How? Put out a fresh glass of water before going to bed. First thing in the morning, briefly rinse your mouth, swallow, then gather some saliva, not mucus, and spit into the glass of water.
Keep an eye on the water for 30 minutes, paying particular attention in the first few minutes. If you have candida overgrowth, you will notice strings hanging down from the saliva, cloudy specks suspended in the water and/or heavy-looking saliva at the bottom of the glass. What then? Grapefruit seed extract wipes out candida and thrush. Take three to six drops in water daily after each meal. Allicin, a compound in garlic, is also an effective remedy for candida and other fungal infections. Eat it raw on an empty stomach.
Why? Without sufficient oxygen, your tissues, organs and cells won’t work properly. If you have breathing issues now, even the simplest steps will make a difference.
How? Make sure you have not eaten for several hours. Sit down and relax all your muscles for five to seven minutes. Breathe out. Pinch your nose closed and count slowly in seconds until you feel you need to take a breath. The number of seconds is the number of your score. 40 seconds or more is normal.
What then? If your numbers are low, you should consult your doctor.
Find your base line Test your thyroid
Why? Along with blood, the lymphatic system forms part of the circulatory system, but it also has an important role to play in your immune system. If you find a pea-sized lump around the neck, collar bone or armpits, your immune system may be struggling to filter efficiently.
How? Join your three first fingers together and gently press each area of the lymph nodes. If any area feels hard and slightly swollen or you can feel a small lump that’s a bit sore, then you may have an infection. Usually this will disappear after a few days, but sometimes it can be an indicator of more serious issues.
What then? Always get any lump checked out by your doctor – even if you have had one before.
Check for candida Only a quarter of our health is down to genetics, the rest is due to lifestyle and stress management Assess your body oxygen levels Examine your lymph nodes
Excerpts from Reboot Your Health – Simple DIY Tests and Solutions to Assess and Improve Your Health, by Sara Davenport. For more information visit www.reboothealth.co.uk