7 Body Signals It’s Better Not To Ignore If You Want To Stay Healthy
2. Puffiness Or Swollen Legs And Feet
Swelling of your legs or feet, or weight gain towards the night is an indication that you are probably suffering from edema (4). The causes behind this condition can be several:
- Puffiness in the face and eyes when you wake up can suggest that your kidneys are in trouble (5).
- Edema can also be caused by high blood pressure or heart problems. Get your blood pressure checked regularly to be sure, or visit a cardiologist to get your heart checked.
- Protruding, swollen veins in the legs can suggest that there’s a link between your edema and varicose veins (6).
3. Sudden Appearance Of Bruises
A sudden appearance of bruises without any apparent cause suggests that your body isn’t functioning the way it should. Such bruises can be indicative of:
- If your body lacks in vitamin C, your metabolism can get affected, which can lead to visible bruises. Vitamin C supplements can help.
- A condition known as vasculitis can also cause bruises to appear (7). A phlebologist can help you know if this is the cause.
- When your body is unable to produce enough thrombocytes or platelets, you can experience the appearance of several bruises on your body (8). This is known as thrombocytopenia.
4. The Color Of Your Tongue
Whether your tongue is whitish or reddish can be a good indicator of your health status. A thin white layer on your tongue means you’re okay, while a thick one can suggest a host of problems:
- A whitish cast on your tongue means that you face digestion problems. You should seek help from a gastroenterologist in this case.
- A tongue that has a yellow hue signifies that you suffer from gallbladder or liver issues (9). You may also experience a bitter taste.
- A tongue that is yellowish grey in color is a result of chronic intestinal problems or dehydration.
5. The Color Of The White Part Of Your Eye
Just like the hue of your tongue can say a lot about your health, so can the color of the white part of your eye. Color changes in this region can indicate:
- A yellow hue indicates you have a damaged liver (10).
- A reddish tint suggests eye infections or diseases (11).
- Moreover, reddening of the eye can also be a result of eye strain caused by staring at a computer screen or working out intensely.
6. The Condition Of Your Nails
Whether there are color changes or changes in texture, any sort of changes in the condition of your nails can suggest an underlying health problem:
- Strips or spots on your nails that are either black, yellow or brown in color indicate that you have a fungal infection called onychomycosis (12).
- Deformity of nails might also be the result of vitamins B1 or D, iron or calcium deficiencies.
- Brittle nails with white spots on them are caused by hypothyroidism.
7. The Color Of Your Gums
Healthy gums have a pink hue, while unhealthy ones look deep red and inflamed. Here’s what they can indicate:
- Sore gums around a particular tooth are a sign of gingivitis (13). They might be accompanied by sensitivity and gum bleeding.
- When the tissue around your tooth gets detached and leaves a gap where food can get stuck, you might be suffering from periodontitis (14).
- If roots of your teeth are exposed and the gap between them widens, you may have periodontal disease.
These 7 signs are just the tip of the iceberg. There might be many more signs your body gives out to let you know it’s not doing well. The important thing is to pay attention to these signals and get immediate help.