The at-home health checks all women should do today

Taking control of your health is an incredibly empowering thing to do. And one of the best ways to take control is to “check in” with yourself on a regular basis. By looking and feeling for any changes, you give yourself the best chance of discovering potential health issues at their earliest stage. And by reporting them to a medical professional straight away, you can help to prevent them from developing into something more serious. Read on as the experts at YourGP reveal the top health checks you can (and should!) carry out at home today.

The monthly breast check

Stand in front of a mirror and look and feel for any lumps or swelling in your breasts, chest area or armpits. Look out for any dimpling or puckering of the skin, any areas of redness, any changes in the shape of your breasts or nipples or any nipple discharge. Do this on a monthly basis to get a good idea of what looks and feels normal to you and you’ll be more likely to spot when something isn’t quite right.

Breasts can fluctuate in size and feel more or less tender, depending on where you are in your cycle. For this reason, the best time to check your breasts is a few days after your period has ended.

The daily bowel check

What comes out of your body can be a good indicator of what’s happening inside your body. So check your poo every time. Look out for blood in your stool or any noticeable change in habits such as going to the toilet more often. If you experience any pain in the lower tummy, you feel uncomfortably bloated, or you have sudden, unexplained weight loss, book an appointment with your GP.

The monthly mole check

It is so important to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun, even here in Scotland. Those who have had extensive sun exposure are at greater risk of developing pre-cancerous skin growths, known as solar keratoses, and skin cancers. A cancerous mole can grow rapidly if left untreated so ensure you check your body regularly and familiarise yourself with potential warning signs – irregular borders, irregular colours and irregular shapes. If you notice a mole has changed in size, shape or colour since your last check, get it seen by a doctor ASAP.

The daily / weekly resting heart rate check

So many of us wear a smartwatch these days, and those with a built-in heart rate monitor can be an effective way of gauging general health. If you don’t own a smartwatch, you can assess your resting heart rate (RHR) the old fashioned way once a week to get an idea of how well your heart muscle is working.

• Place your index and middle finger on your wrist just below the thumb.
• Feel your pulse.
• Time 30 seconds and count the number of beats you feel.
• Double that to get beats per minute.

A normal measurement is between 60 and 90bpm. A higher reading could indicate a health issue such as dehydration, infection, stress, anaemia, thyroid issues or cardiovascular strain.

The weekly weigh in

Maintaining a health BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is a good way to stay in good health. Weigh yourself at the same time each week (preferably in the morning) and keep an eye on any upwards or downwards trends, especially if they are unexplained.

The monthly string test

For a better idea of how your metabolic health is performing, measure your height with a piece of string once a month. Fold the string in half then use this folded string to measure your waist. Your waist should be less than half your height. Those with a larger waist may be at an increased risk of cardio metabolic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Again, it’s best to do this a few days after your period has ended, as many women retain water around the time of their period, leading to a slightly larger than usual waist measurement.

Trust the experts

Checking your body on a regular basis will enable you to become much more familiar with what is and what is not normal for you. Ensure you keep up to date with all your regular breast and cervical screenings, but if something looks or feels a little “off”, don’t wait for your scheduled screening to flag the issue. Instead, book an appointment with your GP as soon as possible.

And if you’d like added peace of mind, book in for an Essential Health Check at YourGP every six months. This 30-minute consultation offers a comprehensive overview of your general health and includes:

• Height, weight and BMI check
• Blood pressure check
• Heart health check
• Liver screening
• Kidney screening
• Diabetes screening
• General health and lifestyle discussion
• Summary report of results

To book an appointment or to find out more about our range of health checks, use our simple online booking system, email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 225 5656 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.