When was the last time you had a full-body MOT? Like cars, our bodies need a bit of TLC every now and again. While we don’t necessarily need an annual certificate to prove we’re fit for everyday life, like our cars do, we do still need to pay attention to the big flashing warning signs on the dashboard indicating our bodies aren’t exactly in the best possible condition.
Curious as to what you might fail your health MOT on? Or are you experiencing health changes you think warrant further investigation, but are putting off? Whatever the reason, we’ll look at a few warning signs that you should book a doctor’s appointment ASAP.
Vision Changes
Any type of vision changes should be checked out immediately. From blurred vision, struggling to read road signs and needing more light to see clearly, these signs, along with more obvious signs like double vision, need further investigation.
Many times, they will simply be down to the ageing process and are to be expected as you get older, but changes to your eyes and changes to your eyesight can be an indicator that other health issues are at play. Book an appointment with your local eye clinic and get checked out.
New or Changing Moles
It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to get any new changes to your skin checked out. New moles, especially, as many people know, can be a sign of cancer, and with melanoma on the rise, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Your doctor can spot a concerning and suspicious mole or skin lesion, but the ABCDE rule can be helpful here, too.
- Asymmetry
- Border irregularity
- Colour changes
- Diameter over 6mm
- Evolving (constantly changing size, shape, texture, etc).
Hearing Loss
Any changes to your hearing shouldn’t be brushed under the carpet. If you’re turning the TV up to hear better or you’re hearing a constant ringing or sound in your ears (tinnitus is often present with hearing loss), get it checked. While it might seem like no big deal, hearing loss can impact your balance, your mental health, cognitive health, and emotional wellbeing. And it’s about more than needing to turn the TV up to hear what you’re watching or even turning the subtitles on because films and TV shows these days are made differently, it’s about your quality of life.
Heartburn, Bowel Changes and Other Fun Digestive Stuff
First off, if there is any sign of blood in your stool, call your doctor now. But aside from this ongoing heartburn, a gurgling in your stomach, intolerance to foods, changes to bowel habits and movements, etc, shouldn’t be downplayed.
Bloating, excess or trapped wind, unexplained stomach pain, etc, can be signs that food intolerances are at play or you’re experiencing more major digestive health concerns and are all pretty miserable to live with. So, don’t put it down to that large, spicy or overly greasy meal. Take your digestive health seriously, and – you know what to do, get it checked.
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