A study by the UK’s Men’s Health Forum found that men aged 18 to 44 were less likely to see a doctor than women. This may be due to lack of time, ignoring it, or being embarrassed.
While women delicately accept small changes in their bodies, men accept them indifferently, which can potentially worsen health problems. It is necessary to know simple health check-ups that can be done at home on a daily basis, and in relation to this, the British daily The Sun mentioned Dr. Samantha Wild of the British United Provident Association Limited, which is a list of health check-ups that men can do at home. Introducing eight health checkups.
Semen check= Semen is a good indicator of male health. Dr. Wilde explains that color is the key to determining semen. Normally, semen is between white and gray. If the color is different, it may be a sign of abnormal health. If the semen is red, it may be a sign of inflammation in the prostate or seminal glands. Yellow-green semen may be caused by medication, infection, or jaundice. If the color continues to change or new changes such as odor, pain, or itching occur, you must consult a medical professional.
Check testicles= According to Cancer Research UK, approximately 2,400 cases of testicular cancer occur in the UK each year. This is an average of more than 6 cases per day. The survival rate is high, but as with all cancers, early detection is important. Dr. Wilde emphasized that the key to testicular examination is whether there is a ‘lump’.
First, after taking a warm bath or shower at home, stand in front of the mirror, hold the testicles in the palm of your hand, and gently roll the testicles between your fingers and thumbs. Check for swelling, hardness, or a noticeable size difference between the two testicles. If you feel a lump or experience pain when doing this, you need to consult a specialist. Additionally, rashes, bumps, and blisters near the genitals may be signs of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so it is best to see a doctor.
Check blood pressure= High blood pressure can cause problems such as stroke and heart attack. These days, there are many blood pressure measuring machines at home, so you can easily check it on a daily basis. Dr. Wilde recommended using the device after a five-minute break in the morning and evening. Explain that they measure blood pressure every 1 to 2 minutes, and if the first reading is much higher than the next reading, it is a good idea to check other readings than the first reading to see the average value. For the average man, normal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, and high blood pressure measured at home is considered 135/85 or higher. Low blood pressure, which can be accompanied by fainting and dizziness, is considered to be below 89/59mmHg.
Check heartbeat= Pulse is an easy way to check your resting heart rate and heartbeat irregularities at home. Hold out one hand with your palm up, and lightly press the index and middle fingers of your other hand on your wrist and below the thumb until you feel the pulse. Press lightly for about 30 seconds and count your heart rate for 6 seconds. Multiply this by 10 to get your heart beats per minute (bpm). The average heart rate is between 60 and 100 bpm. However, if you exercise a lot or take medications such as beta blockers, your levels may decrease. When you turn 45, it is a good idea to check your risk of heart disease through regular heart checkups.
Observation of urine and feces = Blood after stool may be a sign of a lump in or around the anus. This may be suspicious for colon cancer. Blood in stool may appear bright or dark red on the surface, or may be black like tar.
Dr. Wild warns that wanting to go to the bathroom more often than usual, diarrhea, or a strong feeling of residual stool are also symptoms of colon cancer. He also recommended seeing a specialist if you continue to experience abdominal or back pain or discomfort after going to the bathroom. You should carefully observe not only stool but also urine. If you urinate more than usual, have a weak urine stream, or leak urine even when you stop urinating, you may have an enlarged prostate.
Check your nails= The shape of your nails can also determine your health. It is an emergency if you cut your nail or if it changes color or becomes dented or has ridges even though it is not injured. If your nails become brittle, you must visit a hospital. If you have white lines on your fingernails and other symptoms such as fatigue, frustration, or blurred vision, you should suspect heart or lung disease.
Hair check= According to previous studies, male pattern hair loss affects about 85% of men over the age of 50. Thinning or falling hair can be a sign of hair loss, but it is also a natural aging process. Iron deficiency, excessive hair washing, smoking, and drinking alcohol can also cause irregular hair loss.
Check your BMI= Body mass index (BMI) is a simple way to determine if you are at a healthy weight. Body mass index (BMI) is weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²). A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, while an obese BMI is between 30 and 39.9. Obesity BMI may be associated with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, various cancers, fatty liver disease, and other diseases, so caution is required.
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