While it might not always be possible to take appointments and run expensive tests, it is not wise to ignore your health and wellbeing. At the same time, no one wants to be paranoid and a hypochondriac. So the critical question is, what warrants a serious investigation and subsequent treatment, and what not? Read on ahead; these simple yet accurate home tests will tell you a lot about your health.
TEST 1: ‘J’ Finger Test
Heart disease and stroke together have taken most lives in India. A healthy heart is imperative for a healthy body, which is why it is crucial to regularly listen to the signs that your heart may be giving about its health. Here is a simple test to check heart & lung health at home. Bring your hands together, so that the index fingers are forming an upside-down ‘J’. Hold them with the nails touching for about 10 seconds. Look closely now, at the space between the nails. See it? Great! This is indicative that your heart is in good shape. However, if you do not see any space between your nails, it could be a sign of nail clubbing. Finger or digit clubbing is when the tips of fingers enlarge and the nails curve. This usually happens if there is not enough oxygen in the blood. Nail clubbing is indicative of cardiovascular diseases. If you notice this, do not delay visiting a doctor.
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TEST 2: Singing on the Stairs Test
This one is simple. You might be doing this every day, but have you been observing and inferring how your body reacts? Try it one more time. Climb a flight of stairs while singing a song. If at the top of the stairs you feel out of breath and can almost hear your heart pounding, it could be a red flag that your heart and lungs need attention. Do not hesitate to see a doctor and plan to bring your health back on track.
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TEST 3: One legged balance Test
Kyoto University in Japan has found that a simple test, that anyone can do at home can reveal a lot about your brain function and health. Can you balance yourself on one leg? Try it out. Lift one leg and bring it up so that the raised knee is in line with your hip. Now hold this position for 20 seconds. According to lead researcher Dr Yasuharu Tabara, from Kyoto University, if you face difficulty in balancing yourself, it may indicate a risk for brain disease, dementia and stroke. Remember to visit your doctor and talk about microbleeds and silent strokes.
TEST 4: Eyes Tell it All Test
If you feel fatigued, breathless, suffering from insomnia and headaches, you should run a basic test for Anemia. Anaemia is a condition when the blood does not have enough haemoglobin in it. This impacts the oxygen-carrying capability of the blood and hence affects all organs. So if you suspect you are anaemic, do this simple test. Stand in front of a mirror and pull your lower eyelid down. The mucous membranes of your eyes will tell the signs. The exposed tissue inside the lower lid should be blush or pink in colour. If it is pale or slightly yellow, it is time to see a doctor.
TEST 5: Hair Pull Technique
Hair, skin and nails are good indicators of your health. Many imbalances and deficiencies in the body manifest through hair or skin and even nails. By paying attention to a simple thing as daily hair loss can reveal a lot about your hormone levels. Try this simple experiment, take a section of your clean and detangled hair. Now pull at it gently and run your fingers through it. If you get two or three strands in your fingers, then know, that it is normal and that your hormones are in perfect balance. But if you pull out a bunch of hair, you should consider seeing a specialist. While hair fall can be a result of multiple factors like hair care and stress, hormones too play a vital role in keeping your hair healthy.
TEST 5: Carpel Tunnel Test
Compressed nerves could cause Numbness, swelling or weakness in your hand and fingers in your wrist; this condition is called Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. It is a painful condition and quite common among those who use their fingers a lot for typing or writing or riding bikes etc. You could do an affective test at home to check if you have or could have carpel tunnel syndrome. Raise your arms and make two fists in front of your face. Make sure that your wrists are facing towards you. With your thumbs stretched outside, try to touch the bottom of your palms with your fingertips. Hold this position for a minute. If you feel pain and a tingling sensation, it could mean that you have carpel tunnel syndrome. Do not delay visiting a doctor since carpel tunnel worsens progressively.
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TEST 6: Secret Whisper Test
Missed hearing important conversations or a last-minute addition to the grocery list? Well, don’t joke about your hearing, do a test and find out if you need to see an ENT specialist. Do this test in a quiet room, hold your fingers close to your ear and rub them. Do you hear the rustling sound? Great. Now take your hands away from your ear, slowly, an inch, two inches, 6 inches apart. Can you still hear the sound? If you can, then your hearing is in a good state. Now repeat the test in the second hear as well. If you have problems hearing the rubbing sound, it will not hurt to see a doctor.
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