How to Check Your Health by Yourself | 7 Life-Saving Self-Check Tips Doctors Recommend

 

1. Vital Signs: Your Body’s Built-in Alarm System

Check your pulse every morning

Right after waking up,

I gently place my fingers

on my wrist or neck

to feel my heartbeat.

If it’s beating too fast

or irregularly—even

without exercise—

that might mean stress,

anemia, or thyroid issues.

Normal adult pulse

is 60–100 bpm at rest.

If you’re over 100,

it’s time to pay attention.

Tip: Count beats for 15 seconds,

then multiply by 4.

Blood pressure tells you more than you think

Hypertension is called

a silent killer for a reason.

It doesn’t always hurt—

but it damages organs over time.

I usually check mine

at the same time every day.

It only takes five minutes,

but offers huge insights.

Healthy range

Around 120/80 mmHg.

Above 140? You might

need to take action.

2. Skin Check: Your Inner Health in Plain Sight

Look at your nails and skin tone

When nails crack easily

or turn pale, it could mean

iron deficiency or malnutrition.

Dry, itchy skin?

That may reflect kidney issues,

liver problems, or hormone shifts.

Our skin talks—

we just need to listen

a bit more closely.

Watch out for new moles or dark spots

A mole that suddenly appears

or changes color and shape

might be an early sign of melanoma.

 

Especially if it’s asymmetrical,

irregularly bordered, or multi-colored,

don’t hesitate—get it checked.

3. Digestive Patterns: A Mirror of Internal Balance

Track your bowel movements

If you haven’t gone

in over three days—

or it’s too loose too often—

your digestive system

is waving a red flag.

Dark or pale stools?

They might indicate

liver or bile duct issues.

According to Mayo Clinic,

normal stool should be brown,

soft, and well-formed.

(Source: mayoclinic.org)

Understand where your belly hurts

Different spots mean

different problems.

Right upper side = gallbladder or liver

Left lower = colon

Center = small intestine

Pain that worsens

after eating may point

to ulcers or gastritis.

4. Eyes and Mouth: Subtle Signs, Strong Clues

Check the whites of your eyes

Yellowish tinge?

That’s not from bad sleep.

It could be jaundice—

a sign of liver disease

or bile flow issues.

Every morning,

I give my eyes a quick check

while brushing my teeth.

Pay attention to your breath and tongue

Bad breath that sticks around

even after brushing?

You might be dealing with

diabetes, tonsil infections,

or stomach issues.

A white coating on your tongue?

That’s often linked to

low immunity or oral bacteria.

5. Sensory Clues: When Your Body Talks Softly

Hearing or vision changes

If sounds feel muffled

or lights seem blurred,

you might be experiencing

nerve-related changes.

Especially for people with

diabetes or high blood pressure,

these are early warning signs

of retinal damage.

The Korean Ophthalmological Society

recommends annual eye exams

after age 40.

Tingling in fingers or toes

Pins and needles in your hands?

Could be nerve damage

or even pre-diabetic neuropathy.

Don’t ignore it just because

“it goes away in a few minutes.”

6. Mental Well-being: The Invisible Health Indicator

Notice sleep pattern shifts

Struggling to fall asleep?

Waking up too early?

Feeling tired no matter what?

These might be signs

of anxiety or depression.

According to Harvard Medical School,

sleep irregularities often signal

early-stage mental health changes.

Emotional ups and downs

If you suddenly feel

less joy from hobbies

or get irritated easily,

that could be your mind’s

way of asking for help.

Mental health is physical health,

just in disguise.

7. Energy Levels and Daily Routines: The Big Picture

Test your stamina with simple activities

I like doing the

stairs test once a week.

If climbing two flights

feels harder than usual,

your heart or lungs

might not be keeping up.

WHO recommends at least

150 minutes of moderate exercise

each week for adult health.

Watch for subtle routine changes

Waking up later?

Eating at odd times?

Losing focus more easily?

These aren’t always random

they may point to fatigue,

hormonal imbalance,

or stress overload.

Patterns don’t lie.

Tiny Habits, Major Impact

Health doesn’t collapse overnight.

It usually whispers first—

through small discomforts,

subtle shifts, and strange feelings.

Learning to read your body’s signs

can help you detect illness

before it becomes serious.

These 7 self-check tips

aren’t just routines—

they’re life-saving habits.

So how about starting

with just one small step today?

Try This Today

• Count your pulse before breakfast
  
  

• Look at your eyes and tongue in the mirror
  
  

• Track your bowel movement daily
  
  

• Write down any unusual pain or fatigue