Every once in a while, we should check in with ourselves to see how we're doing in specific areas of health and wellness. Otherwise, problem areas or mysterious symptoms could grow into something serious through inattention. While self-screenings aren't everything, they can often uncover areas of concern that professional health experts can follow up with and help you address.
These simple self-checks could reveal whether you're dealing with some underlying areas of concern.
Weighing yourself can only tell you to what extent your body mass has fluctuated over recent days, months, or years. To turn your weigh-ins into helpful self-checks, compare your current height and weight with your recommended Body Mass Index (BMI).
This self-check can help you identify if you are currently
That done, you can evaluate your BMI and assess your associated weight/health risks.
Next time you're at the pharmacy, take time to sit down and slide your arm into an automated blood pressure monitor. Doing so can give you a clearer picture of your current risks for things like heart disease and stroke.
According to the CDC, measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure. High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it.
This is a quick, easy, and pain-free health check that no man should put off.
The sooner a skin cancer is identified and properly treated, the less likely it is to cause lasting damage to your health.
Fortunately, most skin cancers don't require x-rays or blood tests. To spot them, you simply need to know the signs and invest the proper care and attention into a routine self-exam.
All these and more could be signs of skin cancer. Men should conduct regular self-exams to catch the signs early.
In addition to brushing your teeth and flossing regularly, you should also be aware of the signs and symptoms of gum disease.
Red, swollen, and/or bleeding gums could be signs of gum disease. Since gum disease typically starts as mild inflammation along the gum line, do regular oral health checks and investigate any cases of tenderness as a cause for concern.
Other symptoms may include:
If your gum disease check raises red flags, don't put off seeking help! The problem will only get worse and could lead to secondary health complications.
Prostate cancer is a major concern for men, especially as they age.
Unfortunately, prostate cancers don't cause many symptoms early on, and by the time men experience the following symptoms, the cancer has likely grown significantly:
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it's vital that you see your doctor immediately.
However, if you are currently symptomless, that doesn't necessarily mean you're out of the woods. Remember, prostate cancer can remain symptom-free for quite some time. While prostate self-exams are technically possible, they are not advisable. Rather than relying on a self-diagnosis for this one, schedule an appointment to be evaluated by a professional today.
If you have identified areas of concern in your health, Care New England can assist you in getting back on track. Feel free to contact us today if you have any questions or concerns regarding your health.