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Monday, July 20, 2009

Urine test

Urinalysis is not a new concept. It's been around for a long time and is a test that an average person can do at home, in a village clinic, or anywhere. The easiest form to use are Urine Dipsticks.


For my healthcare experiment, I chose Multistix. These diagnostic dipsticks give me an overall view of my internal health. Specifically these strips test Glucose, Bilirubin, Ketone, Specific Gravity, Blood, pH, Protein, Uribilinogen, Nitrite, and Leukocytes. Instructions for use come with the Multistix package. There is test interpretation available on the Internet or in books, if you want to diagnose yourself. My Resources page might be helpful.


Good Luck on your DIY Healthcare Journey. I wish you well. Say hi as you pass me by. :-)





Saturday, July 18, 2009

Do It Yourself Heart and Lung Sound Checks




Checking heart and lung sounds are probably the most routine checks a healthcare professional performs.


I tried using a manual stethoscope, but decided to make an Electronic Stethoscope and Analyzer. The how-to-make instructions are at http://tgideas.blogspot.com/2009/07/electronic-stethoscope-and-analyzer-for.html

Fascinating!!!! I never knew so much went on in my body. See the attached photos for a peek at the system.

I don't know what I'm looking at in the waveform, so I'll discuss this with my doctor at the next visit, along with my other DIY health tests. Together we'll determine the best course of action.

If I didn't have a doctor available or wanted to treat this on my own, I'd probably do the following....

* Go back to my Resources page and really learn how to perform the heart and lung sounds test properly.

* Learn what normal and abnormal heart and lung sounds are like. From that and other health checks, make my best guess at whether I have a problem or not. Perhaps a good place to start would be http://www.openheartsurgery.com/heart_sounds.html

* Post my waveform on the Internet and ask for opinions on it.


Good Luck on your own DIY Healthcare Journey!

Do It Yourself Blood Pressure Monitoring

After checking my Blood Pressure occasionally at the mall, pharmacies, etc., I noticed my readings were generally “of concern”. I decided to invest a few dollars in myself and buy a OMRON Model HEM-780 Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor.

For the last month or so, I've been taking my BP mostly daily to get a good average. (I never could figure out how one reading in a doctor's office once a year could determine good/bad health.)

Generally, I'm on the high average range, with higher readings in the morning.

I'll discuss this with my doctor at the next visit, along with my other DIY health tests. Together we'll determine the best course of action.

If I didn't have a doctor available or wanted to treat this on my own, I'd probably do the following....
* Consider the recommendations at the
OMRON website.
* Consider the recommendations at the
American Heart Association.
* Check books on
High Blood Pressure.
* Learn more about
High Blood Pressure and my options for treating it on my own.

Good Luck on your own DIY Healthcare Journey!

Do It Yourself pH Testing

This is the first test I started with – pH Stix for urine and saliva.

My composite score was 5.28. According to the supplied information, this shows I am in The VERY ACIDIC pH Zone.

I'll discuss this with my doctor at the next visit, along with my other DIY health tests. Together we'll determine the best course of action.

If I didn't have a doctor available or wanted to treat this on my own, I'd probably do the following....

Consider the recommendations at PHION website – the maker of the pH Stix.

Consider dietary changes by searching the Internet for suggestions, also looking for Alkaline Diets.

Check books on Alkaline Diets.

Good Luck on your own DIY Healthcare Journey!