Be honest: how often do you make it to the doctor’s? How often do you cancel appointments and promise to reschedule but never get around to it? Luckily, there are several things you can do to perform your own health checkup at home and make sure everything is in tip-top shape.

HERE’S HOW TO CHECK YOUR HEATH IN ONE MINUTE:

• Grab a spoon and scrape it over the entire surface of your tongue. Make sure it’s wet with saliva.
• Put the spoon into a transparent plastic bag, then place it under a bright light. You can use the sun or a desk lamp.
• Wait for one minute, then check the spoon.
• If your spoon appears clean with no stains or unpleasant odors, your internal organs are doing just fine. If you notice something is off, there might be a problem.

IF THERE’S AN ODOR COMING FROM THE SPOON:

• A strong, rotting odor coming from the spoon may indicate problems with your lungs. This smell is much worse than traditional bad breath. It could be a sign of a lung problem ranging from a bad infection to cancer.
• A sweet, fruity odor coming from the spoon may be a sign of diabetes. If your body isn’t processing sugar properly, your blood sugar rises and your cells start burning fat for energy. The byproduct of this processes is ketones, which can make your breath smell fruity.
• An odor that smells like ammonia coming from the spoon may indicate problems with the kidneys. This “fishy” smell can be a sign of kidney failure.

IF THERE ARE STAINS ON THE SPOON:

• If the stains are white or yellow with a thick coating, it may be an indication of a thyroid gland dysfunction. The conversion of beta-carotene to Vitamin A depends on the thyroid hormone. A deficiency can manifest as a yellowish buildup of carotene.
• If the stains are purple, it may mean you have poor blood circulation or high cholesterol levels. It can also indicate bronchitis. Bronchitis cuts down the efficiency of airwaves that bring oxygen to the blood stream, which can cause a purple tint.
• If the stains are white, you may be suffering from a respiratory infection. White buildup on the tongue can be caused by several different infections and viruses.
• If the stains are orange, it may be a sign of kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease can either cause the mouth tissues to appear pale due to anemia, or orange due to carotene-like deposits.

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