10 Self Health Checks Every Woman Should Do (Part 2)

Ndidi Adekunle

Continued from part 1 : 10 Self Health Checks Every Woman Should Do

5. Check for Slack Vaginal/ Urinary Muscles: One of the common problems of child bearing and old age is the loss of control of the muscles that help to hold urine. It is called incontinence. This kegel muscle in question, is the very same that controls sexual pleasure. Once this muscle starts to slack, a woman may start to leak urine when she laughs, sneezes or unconsciously make a move that exerts some pressure since her level muscles aren’t strong enough to hold her flow of urine. This will affect her sexual pleasure as well.

How to test? While doing a pee, try holding your flow of urine for about 60 counts (1 minute approximately). If you find that difficult, it means your kegel muscles are slack and need tightening. Doing kegel exercises will fix this.

6. Nail Check For Kidney Malfunction: If white horizontal bands seem to appear at the base of your nails, and you feel fatigue simultaneously with the appearance of the white discoloration, please ditch the children’s superstition that it’s ‘shokolokobangoshey,’ a gift from a flock of doves flying across the sky. Leave that as pure hogwash and go see a doctor ASAP because that could very well be a signal from your body that your kidneys aren’t filtering protein adequately from your urine, experts say. This translates into your body losing much protein, which can lead to kidney failures.

READ ALSO: Health Checklist And Tests Every Woman Needs

7. Armpit/ Nail/ Groin Check For Diabetes: A sudden patch of rough, dry skin in your armpit, neck or even your groin, may be an indication of diabetes. Here’s why; excess insulin in the blood stream apparently, can cause skin cells to multiply abnormally, leading to a buildup of tissue and melanin. That’s what is responsible for your skin looking darker and thicker.

Go see a doctor for a simple blood test for insulin, if you notice these signs.

8. Scalp Check For Excessive Stress: If you find your scalp shedding like a snake, it may not be a problem with your brand of shampoo. It could actually be your body’s signal for excessive stress, which doctors say can cause your body to produce excess amounts of a hormone called cortisol which messes with your immune system, making you more susceptible to infection. It also dries out the scalp, causing your scalp to shed lots of embarrassing skin.

If you notice such symptoms, then, it’s time to down scale your tight schedules and take life easier.

9. Self-check For Clinical Depression: Do you always feel sad or irritable? Do you suddenly have no interest in the things you used to love doing? Have you gained or lost much weight? Have your sleeping patterns changed? Do you often entertain feelings of guilt? Are you unable to concentrate, remember things or make decisions? Has fatigue and loss of energy become something you’re well acquainted with? Are you restless and people who know you are worried about your level of decreased activity? Do you often feel hopeless or worthless? Do you find yourself meditating on suicide or death?

If you find yourself answering yes to more than half of these questions, book an appointment with a mental health doctor or psychiatrist for an evaluation.

READ ALSO: 5 Major Health Screening Tests Every Woman Should Do

10. Genital Self Checks: Doctors advice that women take time to know their bodies. That way, it’s easy to notice any strange appearances when they occur. To do this self check, sit, squat or stand over a mirror. Look for any white, reddish areas around the vulva as well as any new moles, lesions, sores, lumps, regular white and cloudy discharge, anything strange really aside from normal changes due to age.

Consult your doctor ASAP with any findings. You may be saving yourself from cervical cancer or other related cancers.

Overall, do you health checks yourself routinely to beat deadly diseases.