Take Charge of Your Health: 5 DIY Health Tests to Determine Your Status at Home

As we grow older, a lot of things change. We grow wiser, but also, our body loses a lot of the natural elements we were born with, such as calcium, vitamins and thus, the immune system gets weaker over time.

It is recommended that an average person should make a doctor’s check- up once every year. However, with the enormous prices of medical insurance and bills, not all of us are able to do so.

That’s why in today’s article we recommend trying these short tests at home, to check if you suffer from some serious diseases, just to have your own peace at mind.

“Quick and Easy: 5 Tests to Check Your Overall Health in Just Half a Minute

1. Assess Your Blood Circulation with these Easy Health Tests

Step 1: Squeeze Your Hand into a Fist

To perform this test, make a fist and hold your hand in the same position for 30 seconds. When you release your fist, your palm may turn slightly whiter than usual. This is normal and occurs because the blood vessels in your hand were compressed while you were squeezing your fist.

Step 2: Check Your Blood Flow

After releasing your fist, check how long it takes for the blood to rush back into your hand and turn your palm red again. If it takes a while for your hand to regain its color, it may indicate poor blood circulation. Additionally, if you feel any numbness or tingling, it may be a sign of arteriosclerosis.

What is Arteriosclerosis?

Arteriosclerosis is a condition where the walls of your arteries thicken and become less elastic, making it more difficult for blood to flow through them. This condition is often caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to a variety of health problems, including heart attack and stroke.

Regularly checking your blood flow with this simple test can help you detect any potential circulation problems early on, allowing you to seek medical attention and take steps to improve your overall health.

2. Assess Your Internal Organs with Nail Squeezing Health Tests

Step 1: Squeeze the Roots of Your Nails

To perform this test, take about 5 seconds to really squeeze the root of each fingernail. The pressure should be enough to turn the nail bed white.

Step 2: Check the Blood Flow

After squeezing the nail roots, release the pressure and check how long it takes for the blood to return to the nail bed. The blood should come rushing back in no more than 3 seconds. If it takes longer than that or if you feel intense pain while squeezing, it may indicate a problem with the corresponding internal organ.

What Each Finger Indicates

Each finger is closely connected to a specific internal organ, as listed below:

• Index finger: colon problems and constipation
• Thumb: lung problems
• Middle finger: heart issues
• Ring finger: heart issues
• Little finger: problems with the small intestines

This is because each finger has a close connection to certain organs, and the middle and ring fingers have more blood vessels than the other fingers, making them particularly sensitive to blood flow changes.

It’s important to note that this test should not be used as a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis. If you have concerns about your health, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional. Additionally, while this test may provide some indications of potential problems, it’s not a foolproof method and should be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools for a more accurate assessment of your health.

3. Assess Your Abdomen and Lower Spine with This Leg Lift Test

Step 1: Hold Your Legs Up

To perform this test, lie face down on the floor with your arms straight in line with your body. Try lifting both your legs up together, keeping the rest of your body on the ground. Hold this position for about 30 seconds.

Step 2: Check Your Control

While holding your legs up, try to keep them straight and still. If you’re unable to lift both legs without moving or separating them, or if your body twitches, it may indicate problems with your abdomen or lower spine.

Possible Causes of Difficulty

There are several possible causes of difficulty in holding your legs up, including:

• Weak abdominal muscles
• Strained lower back muscles
• Spinal misalignment or nerve compression
• Herniated or slipped discs in the lower spine

It’s important to note that this test should not be used as a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis. If you have concerns about your health, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional. Additionally, this test should be performed with caution, as lifting your legs can be challenging and may cause injury if not done properly. Start with small lifts and gradually increase your range of motion over time.

4. Assess Your Gluteus Maximus with This Stretching Test

Step 1: Stretch One Leg at a Time

To perform this test, lie on your back with your legs bent and your feet flat on the ground. Lift one leg up and hold it with both hands behind the thigh. Straighten your leg as much as possible, while keeping your foot flexed, and hold for 30 seconds.

Step 2: Check for Pain

While holding the stretch, pay attention to any pain or discomfort you feel in your gluteus maximus muscle, which is located right below your butt. If you experience pain during the stretch, it could indicate problems with this muscle.

Possible Causes of Pain

There are several possible causes of pain in the gluteus maximus muscle, including:

• Muscle strain or sprain
• Overuse or repetitive strain injury
• Piriformis syndrome (a condition in which the piriformis muscle, located near the gluteus maximus, compresses the sciatic nerve)
• Sciatica (a condition in which the sciatic nerve, which runs through the gluteus maximus, is compressed or irritated)

It’s important to note that this test should not be used as a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis. If you have concerns about your health, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional. Additionally, this stretch should be performed with caution, as overstretching the gluteus maximus can also cause injury. Start with small stretches and gradually increase your range of motion over time.

5. Test Your Lower Spine with this Upper Body Lift Exercise

Step 1: Lie on Your Stomach

To perform this test, lie face down on a flat surface with your arms at your sides.

Step 2: Lift Your Upper Body

Keeping your legs and lower body still, use your back muscles to lift your upper body off the ground. Hold the position for 30 seconds, then release.

Possible Causes of Difficulty

If you have trouble holding this position for the full 30 seconds, it could indicate problems with your lower spine. There are several possible causes of lower spine issues, including:

• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sciatica
• Spondylolisthesis

It’s important to note that this test should not be used as a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis. If you have concerns about your health, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional. Additionally, this exercise should be performed with caution, as overexerting your back muscles can also cause injury. Start with small lifts and gradually increase your range of motion over time.

Originally posted 2019-11-26 21:53:41.