If you want to live a long life, then you need to regularly check yourself for health conditions and diseases. Most people don’t do this and instead, go to their doctors once or twice a year. If you want a real shot at catching diseases and health conditions early, however, then you need to check yourself. There are some conditions that are much more serious than others, and therefore you need to check yourself for them more thoroughly.
This post will tell you about nine health issues that you need to regularly check yourself for:
Breast Cancer
If you are a woman, then it’s important that you regularly check yourself for breast cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in women. Men can also develop the disease, although it’s very rare. According to the cancer specialists from www.bedfordbreastcenter.com, a breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and scary. It’s for this reason that if you do detect anything abnormal, you have diagnostic tests performed by cancer experts. Dealing with physicians that don’t know what they are talking about can be very worrisome, especially if you are concerned about having cancer.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the most common diseases in men, that can be fatal if it’s left untreated. The causes of heart disease vary from patient to patient, but more often than not it is caused by poor lifestyle choices. Heart disease can also be congenital. Congenital heart disease is very common. The best way to identify whether or not you suffer from heart disease is to visit a physician and ask them to perform screening tests. If you do develop any of the symptoms of heart disease, then it’s important that you do this. You shouldn’t ever ignore your symptoms. Luckily, there are different heart failure management programmes that are designed to keep your heart health in check and give you the best chance of avoiding further complications. Consult your doctor for the best advice.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is often called the silent killer. This is because it rarely presents symptoms until it’s too late. If your blood pressure is allowed to remain high for long periods of time, then you can develop serious problems, and could end up having a stroke or a heart attack. Blood pressure is easily checked through, so there’s no excuse for not ruling it out. The best way to check for blood pressure is to visit your physician and ask them to perform a blood pressure check on you. The physician will then be able to read your results and give you a conclusive answer.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that affects the lives of millions of Americans. Because of the rise in poor diets and frequent consumption of highly sugary food, diabetes is becoming more common than it ever was before. Diabetes can cause some very nasty side effects, such as blindness. If you eat a diet that’s high in sugar or other people in your family have diabetes, then it’s important that you visit a physician. A physician will be able to perform a blood glucose test. These are the tests that are used to diagnose (or rule out) diabetes. It’s highly likely that your physician will ask you to fast for twelve hours prior to your test.
Anxiety
You also need to check yourself for mental health conditions. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States. A staggeringly large percentage of the population suffers from it. If you notice that you frequently feel nervous or suffer from panic attacks when you are put into uncomfortable situations, then you could be suffering from anxiety. Anxiety is a very common disorder that can be treated with either therapy or medication. Meditation is also an extremely effective cure for anxiety.
Depression
Depression is another common mental health disorder, that’s easily treated. When it comes to depression (and even anxiety), it’s more about treating the cause, than the symptoms. If you just treat your symptoms then you won’t be able to overcome your depression. In order to ascertain the cause, your doctor may ask you to take part in some kind of therapeutic program. They will also evaluate your lifestyle. Sometimes depression isn’t caused by just one thing, but rather it’s caused by many. If you don’t have a job or a partner for example, then this could be causing your depression.
Allergies
Allergies are very common. If when you go outdoors, especially in the summer, you suffer from dry, scratchy eyes and a runny nose, then you could suffer from seasonal allergies. It’s also important to rule out more serious allergies, like shellfish allergies. The best way to do this is to visit your doctor and have a patch test performed. Your doctor will prick your skin with a needle and then expose you to the allergen. If you begin to have a bad reaction, then they are able to diagnose an allergy. If you don’t have a bad reaction, then they can rule out allergies.
Obesity
Obesity is something that’s becoming more and more common. The typical American diet is sadly awful. Processed foods, fried foods, and junk food all collectively contribute to the increase in diabetes. Sedentary lifestyles are also a cause of obesity. If you feel that you have been packing on the pounds a little, then it’s worth weighing yourself, then checking yourself out on an online BMI calculator. If your BMI is too high, then it’s a good idea to visit a doctor, and then begin making lifestyle changes. Make sure to eat lots of healthy foods and perform regular exercise.
Infections
Infections are also very common. If you have any health conditions or illnesses, then infections could be more common. If you are in otherwise good health, then infections could be caused by being exposed to dirty objects or living in an unclean environment. Infections commonly occur after the skin has been broken and germs seep in. Infections can be very serious if they’re left untreated. Infections can turn septic, which can be life-threatening. If a wound exhibits signs of infection (inflammation, redness, puss leakage), then visit your physician ASAP.
If you don’t regularly check yourself for health conditions, then you won’t be able to rule them out and ensure that you are in good health. Checking yourself for most of the problems on this list is relatively simple and can be done at home. You can also have your physician check you out.
