A few years ago, people went to the doctor or for a check-up only when they got sick. But, it all changed in the past few years as people become more aware of health and its consequences.
Everyone understood that a healthy functioning body has a significant impact on leading a happy personal and professional life. Preventive healthcare grew in prominence, and it is one of the primary reasons people are adopting a conscious, healthy life. However, most people only take health check-ups once in a month or every few months.
In the meanwhile, between these check-ups, we may be attacked by some disease or infection that may not be visible. For the same, health experts from around the globe have over time given some techniques which can help us check our health status.
These are simple, 2-minute tests you can do to find out if you are under the threat of a disorder or disease that could pose a serious challenge to your health and fitness levels. Below listed are a few such techniques:
Signs of Ailments and Their Symptoms: At a Glance
|Cholesterol Levels||If you see fat deposits or nodules on the upper and lower eyelids, your cholesterol levels are extremely high.|
|Lung Health||Light a candle and stand one meter or so before it and blow it. If you are blowing it out on the first try, then your lungs are healthy. The closer you need to move to the candle to blow it, the worse your lungs are|
|Checking for Body Toxicity||Put your hands together, with your fingertips and palm touching together at the center. If a right angle is formed at the palm touching the fingers, your body is devoid of toxins.|
|Test Premature Aging||Stand on the right leg with the left leg raised 10 cm above the ground. If you can do this for 30 seconds, you are 20 years old biologically.
Tests for Checking Bodily Ailments
1. Heart or Lung Disease
Stretch your fingers straight with the palms facing each other. Bend the thumb fingers towards the other palm and overlap or touch the other thumb finger. Now bend the index finger and make sure that their nails touch each other.
If you see a tiny diamond-shaped space between them, your vessels and heart are healthy.
If no space exists between your fingernails, it is a sign of nail clubbing. In this condition, fingers become thicker because blood lacks oxygen. Oxygen deficiency is caused due to multiple reasons, including lung problems, GI issues, and cardiovascular diseases(1).
2. Dementia and Stroke
Tools required: Timer or watch
Lift the leg and put it in a position where hip to knee part is parallel to the ground.
Take a timer and set if for 20 minutes. If you can stand for 20 or more minutes means you have a negligible chance of dementia or stroke, and vice versa. Trouble balancing on one leg also indicates that you may have problems with brain vessels.
[ Read: Warning Signs Your Body Needs Help ]
3. Anemia/Iron Deficiency
Stand in front of a mirror. Pull your bottom eyelid down. If the color is a healthy pink shade, everything is okay.
If the lower eyelids are pale pink or yellow, it may be a sign of anemia.
Lack of red blood cells, iron deficiency, kidney or liver diseases are few of the many causes of anemia. If it is associated with tiredness, breathing problems, palpations, or any other symptoms, it is time to see a doctor.
[ Read: Treat Anemia Naturally ]
4. Hormonal Imbalance/Lack of Microelements
Losing hair is a natural process. As per the doctors, an average person may lose anywhere between 50-100 hairs every day. But, a simple check can tell if there is an underlying issue that is associated with the hair fall.
First, wash and dry your hair. Then take a small lock of hair and pull them gently. If there are 2-3 hairs in the hand, it is normal. If there are more, it’s time to visit a hair-care practitioner.
Some of the reasons people lose hair include stress, serious health issues, or lack of hygiene. Thin hair is also one of the reasons for hair fall. Hair thins due to nutritional deficiency or hormonal imbalance.
5. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The bane of office workers and desktop ninjas is the carpal tunnel syndrome. It also cripples bikers and artists.
Lift your hands and put your forearms parallel to your face. Make a fist so that the fingertips meet the base of the palm.
If this can be done for 1-2 minutes, you are fine. If there is numbness, pain, or tingling, then it can be an early sign of carpal tunnel syndrome. For those facing numbness, pain, or tingling, these are early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome(2) setting in.
Carpal tunnel syndrome worsens when neighboring tissues use median nerve pressure. The numbness and pain worsen without proper care.
For this test, ask your family member or friend to take a pencil that has an eraser at its back.
Ask them to poke your toes or feet slightly with sharp and soft ends alternately. If you can tell the difference between the pokes without looking, you’re safe from diabetes. If not, it can be a sign of diabetes, as those from the condition have lower sensitivity.
[ Read: Natural Treatments for Diabetes ]
7. Artery Blockages
Rest on the floor, lift your legs at a 45-degree angle and touch the wall with the bottom of your feet.
Sustain the pose for a few minutes. Then, check the feet’s color.
White or pale feet indicate poor blood circulation and the possibility of artery trouble. The reason for this is that peripheral arteries deliver blood to the extremities like the limbs. It may be associated with unpleasant symptoms like numbness and pain. The condition is called Peripheral Artery Disease.
If left untreated, it can cause heart disease orstroke.
8. Hearing Issues
For this test, go to a quiet room. Place your hand close to your ears and rub your fingers together.
Do you hear the sound? Then move your fingers slightly away from your ear and do it again.
If you hear the sound, then it is normal. If not, then you may be suffering from a hearing disorder.
9. Tendency for Cardiovascular Diseases
To perform this test, climb a ladder or stairs while singing a song or talking on the phone.
If your heart is pounding and you cannot breathe well, the heart system and lungs cannot tackle the physical activity. Or you may also be suffering from some cardiac or lung disorders
Self-made tests cannot replace the doctor’s professional opinion, though. However, using these simple tests whenever you are in doubt can tell you that you might have to see a doctor.
The Bottom Line
So, these are a few simple tests that can be used to detect and diagnose chronic ailments and diseases early on. These tests are cost-effective, quick, and extremely beneficial for you. Do remember to consult your doctor for any severe signs or symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, lack of sleep, rapid weight loss, or chronic fatigue.
1. Are hiccups a sign of any health disorder?
Hiccups are normal and are caused due to excess eating, carbonated drinks, alcohol, and excitement or stress.
However, if they are frequent or persists for too long, then it can be a sign of:
- Chronic stress
- Digestive disorders
- Respiratory disorders
- Kidney, liver, or heart problems
2. Is bad breath a sign of anything?
If a person has a bad breath even after proper following dental hygiene, it can be a sign of:
- Respiratory infections
- Kidney or liver disorders
- Digestive disorders