Self Inventory
The information you learn in this section must be combined with the answers to the history forms. When you compare the two, the answer to "Is my body working correctly or are there things I need to correct" will emerge. The idea is to identify "system dysfunction" before it becomes "disease." If you notice multiple "abnormalities," consider getting professional guidance.
Most of what you see below you will perform annually. Some of the measurements will be performed daily over several weeks so you can establish a baseline. Then, you may repeat them at infrequent intervals (monthly or every several months) to keep an eye on your health status.
The most powerful single tool is the Blood Glucose (sugar) Monitor. By learning what your morning blood sugar is and how different foods affect your readings, you will be armed with the information you need to properly regulate your blood sugar. Blood sugar mismanagement (yes, even if you are a Type 1 Diabetic) is mostly under your control and has an effect on the function of all systems of the human body. Don't start by looking for the needle in the haystack. Start by cleaning up your haystack!
Let's get started!
VITAL SIGNS
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Height
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Weight
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Blood Pressure/Pulse
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Blood Pressure/Heart Rate Monitor: This is what I bought.
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Take your blood pressure in your left arm in a seated position. Keep your left arm at the level of your heart. Do not move and breathe in a slow, relaxed manner.
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As a test of your Adrenal Gland function (Ragland's Test)
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Take your blood pressure using your left arm in a supine (lying on your back) position with your arm at your side. Remember the top number (systolic).
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Start the monitor again and while it is filling, stand up. Make a note of the top number. The top number should be at least 10 points higher in the standing position than the supine position. If not, it can indicate possible low adrenal function.
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Oxygen Saturation - Pulse Oximeter - This is what I bought.
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A pulse oximeter "is an easy, painless measure of how well oxygen is being sent to parts of your body furthest from your heart, such as the arms and legs." (Ref).
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The reading the the monitor provides is called SPO2 (peripheral capillary oxygen saturation) and is given as a percent. The device fits over your index finger and provides a reading in a few seconds.
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> 95° is normal
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< 95° is abnormal (meaning a decrease in the amount of oxygen that is getting to your body. The medical term for this is "hypoxia.")
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Click here for more on how a Pulse Oximeter works.
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Breathing Rate (breaths per minute)
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Temperature
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Forehead Thermometer. This is what I bought.
ADDITIONAL MEASUREMENTS
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Blood Glucose (Sugar) Monitor. I bought this one. The following readings are helpful:
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Morning Blood Sugar: take your reading first thing in the morning before you eat or drink anything. (Ref)
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Post Meal ("post-prandial") Readings: different foods will have different affects on an individual's blood sugar. Wide swings are the problem and discovering what foods cause those wide swings can have a powerful impact on your health (and if you are an athlete, your performance). By taking a reading 60 - 90 minutes after you eat, you can learn what foods are right for you. Specifically, you will discover what carbohydrate sources (bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, squash, etc.) cause an abnormally high spike in your blood sugar. Remove them from your diet and you will see.
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A post prandial reading of > 160 mg/dl is problematic.
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Here is an excellent (fully referenced) article on the importance of understanding your blood sugar readings.
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Sleep Monitoring system. I do not own this system.
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Single Lead EKG. I own the Android version. Click here.
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Heart Rate Variability. This is what I downloaded.
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I bought this chest heart rate monitor.
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Risk Calculators (click on the links to be taken to the calculators)
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Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Risk (CHADS₂ Score for Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Risk)
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Cardiovascular Risk (MESA 10-Year CHD Risk with Coronary Artery Calcification)
SKIN
Record location of:
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Color: pigmentation, yellowing of the skin, redness, and cyanosis.
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Moisture: dryness, oily
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Temperature: hot, cold
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Mobility and Turgor
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Mobility: ease that skin lifts up
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Turgor: speed it returns into place
Moles: App
A: asymmetry
B: irregular border
C: variation or change in color, especially blue or black
D: diameter ≥6 mm or different from others, especially if changing, itching, or bleeding
E (elevation/evolving)
Feet: Redness, cracks, sores, open wounds (check for Diabetes)
Reference Website: American Academy of Dermatology
HAIR
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Quantity
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Loss
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Distribution
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Texture
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Pulls out easily
NAILS
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Yellow nails
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Pitting
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Clubbing
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Spooning
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Dark band at tip of nail
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Horizontal lines (indented)
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Loose nails – separation from nail plate
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Thin, brittle nails
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Thick nails
Reference Website: Nail Examination
EYES
App: Eye Exam Test
EAR
App: Hearing test
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Crease
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Chalky nodes
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Red
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Stiffness
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Ear Wax: See this video
NOSE
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Discharge
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Blood
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Swelling
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Sense of Smell
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Mint
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Coffee
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Asymmetry
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Patency
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Look up nose with flashlight
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Red and swollen
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Red and dry
Reference Website: Nose
JAW MOTION
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Open
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Side to Side
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Pain (chewing)
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Clicking or snapping
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Hitch in the motion
LIPS
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Red
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Cracked
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Swollen
GUMS
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Red
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Bleeding
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Painful
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Painful to touch
TONGUE
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Red
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Decreased taste sensation
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Fissuring
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Atrophy
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White spots/splotches
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Black spots/splotches
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“Berry” tongue
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Growth
Reference Website: The Tongue in Diagnosis
TEETH
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Do you have Amalgam (Mercury) fillings?
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Are your teeth stained?
Read more here: IAOMT Amalgam Debate
Read more here: IAOMT Fluoride
FACE/NECK/THROAT
Feel the following areas for pain, lumps/bulges/protrusions (enlarged areas), texture difference
Look for skin changes as per skin exam
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In front of ears
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In back of ears
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Along bottom jaw line
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Along and on top of collar bone
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Along SCM (sternocleidomastoid) muscle
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Touch throat gently while you swallow. Is there a deviation or enlargement?
Do you have any difficulty swallowing?
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Pain
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Feeling of food/fluid getting stuck?
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Feeling full quickly after eating?
Reference Website: Thyroid Awareness
ABDOMEN
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Feel below your ribs on the right (liver), push up and in – any pain, lump (enlargement)?
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Feel below your ribs on the left (spleen), push up and in – any pain, lump (enlargement)?
JOINTS
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Can you move all your joints freely?
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Is there any swelling, pain, deformity?
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Feet
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Ankles
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Knees
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Hips
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Lower Back
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Upper Back
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Shoulders
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Elbows
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Wrists
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Hands
BREAST
App: Breast Cancer
TESTICLE
App: Testicular Cancer
URINE
Color/Texture
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Red/pink - this is absolutely not normal and may be blood. Seek immediate medical help.
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Yellow/Amber
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Colorless
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Orange
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Black
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Blue
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Green
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Cloudy
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Sediment
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Foamy
Smell
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Sweet
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Roses
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Maple Syrup
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Cabbage
Analyzing the Color and Smell of Your Urine
Meaning of Urine Color and Smell
Medications Associated with Change in Urine Color
POOP
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Shape
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Color
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Size
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Buoyancy: sink or float
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Frequency of bowel movements
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See Stool Analyzer
MOVEMENT TESTS
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Beighton’s score (Tests for hypermobile joints)
BODY COMPOSITION: HIP AND WAIST MEASUREMENTS
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Waist measurement
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Hip measurement
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Ratio: Waist/Hips
Health Risk Based on Waist Hip Ratio
Male
0.95 or below Low Risk
0.96 to 1.0 Moderate Risk
1.0+ High Risk
Female
0.80 or below Low Risk
0.81 to 0.85 Moderate Risk
0.85+ High Risk
Reference Website: Harvard School Public Health
What Have You Learned?
Print this page(s) and circle what you have found. How many things just don't "look right?" It is up to you to follow-up with professional guidance based on what you have learned.
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