Important Things Your Body Is Saying About Your Health

What Does Your Body Say About Your Health?

Your body is like a giant neon sign that displays the state of your health. You can tell much about yourself by paying close attention to what your body says about your health. It can also tell you whether it is time to visit the doctor.

The Tongue

A healthy tongue appears pink and is covered with small bumps. Any deviation from this appearance, or pain, may be a cause for concern. For example, a hairy looking and black tongue could be a sign of poor oral hygiene or diabetes. A bright red tongue (like the colour of strawberries) could be a sign of folic acid, iron, or vitamin B12 deficiency. It could also mean that you have a fever or strep throat. The most important thing is to visit a doctor or dentist when you notice any change in appearance.

READ ALSO: Ten Habits Of Healthy People

The Feet

The feet often show symptoms of illnesses before any other part of the body. For example, An absence of hair on the feet or consistently cold feet could be a sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD). An open sore under the feet that doesn’t heal and numbness in the feet could be a sign of diabetes. An enlarged big toe could be a sign of gout, etc.

The Eyes

Eyes are the windows to the soul, but they can also be the windows to your body. Doctors can tell a lot about the state of your health just by looking into your eyes. For example, yellowish eyes and skin could be a sign of jaundice which is consistent with liver problems. A ring around the cornea could be a sign of dangerous cholesterol levels. Drooping eyelids can be a sign of myasthenia gravis, a disease that makes your immune system attack and weaken your muscles.

The Skin

The skin is the largest organ in your body. Many underlying problems in the body first show symptoms on the skin. For example, a butterfly rash on the face can be a sign of dermatitis rosacea or worse, the first sign of lupus. Velvety plaques on the neck or armpit could be a sign of diabetes. Moles are usually nothing to worry about, but in some cases, they can indicate the onset of cancer. The ABCDE of moles are:

1. Asymmetrical: Is the shape different on each side?
2. Border: Are the edges jagged?
3. Colour: Is the color uneven?
4. Diameter: Is it larger than a pea?
5. Evolving: Has it changed in the past few weeks?

If the answers to these questions are yes, then a visit to the doctor is required.

The Smell of Sweat

Sweat usually is odourless. The resultant smell is a result of bacterial activities. Other factors can also cause your sweat to have an odour. For example;

1. Salty sweat indicates a lack of sodium in the body.
2. Vinegar sweat indicates menopause, diabetes,  hormonal disturbances, and schizophrenia.
3. Fruity sweat may be a sign of diabetes.
4. Ammonia sweat indicates a lack of carbohydrates in the body.
5. Bleach sweat shows that you might have liver or kidney disease.

The Appearance of Urine

Urine passes out waste from the body. Its colour, density, and smell can tell so much about what’s going on inside the body. Normal urine should be clear and pale yellow. Dehydration can cause urine to smell like ammonia. Sweet-smelling urine can be a sign of UTI. Foul-smelling urine can be a sign of STI. Fruity-smelling urine can be a sign of type 2 diabetes. You should see the doctor if you notice a strange odour or the following about your urine:

1. Bloody urine.
2. Dark or discoloured urine.
3. Pain during urination.
4. Cloudy urine.
5. Frequency of urination.

Please note that these are general symptoms and are not in any way a diagnosis. If you notice any changes from your body’s normal state, book an appointment with your doctor for a more accurate diagnosis.

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