Physical conditions such as wrinkles, swelling of feet or dry and thin hair, may signal some health problems, although some may seem perfectly normal, and specific to aging.
Here are some physical conditions that can tell something about your health:
Wrinkles
They are inevitable, but can be a sign of osteoporosis, as new research shows. According to scientists, it was discovered a link between wrinkles and bone health in women experiencing early menopause. As wrinkles are more pronounced, the higher the risk that bone density to be low increases.
Excessive exposure to tobacco smoke and sunlight may accelerate the formation of wrinkles.
Swollen feet
Many health problems such as sprains, muscle sprains, wounds and infections, can cause feet and ankles to swell. Furthermore, pregnancy, obesity and certain prescription drugs can cause fluid retention at their level. Also, many people with heart failure have this symptom.
Nails look ugly
Nails that have small bumps or are deformed, with atypical color (yellowish-brown), thicker than they should or detach from nail bed can indicate health problems such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, alopecia and others.
Inflated hands and feet
Inflated hands and feet, jaw and forehead are a classic symptom of acromegaly – a hormonal disorder that occurs in adults in the pituitary gland which produces too many growth hormones. Because overgrowth of hands and feet occurs slowly, many do not realize it’s an uncommon reaction.
Loss of teeth
A study by a group of Scottish researchers shows that brushing teeth reduces the risk of heart disease. Compared with those who washed their teeth twice a day, those who brushed their teeth less frequently had a 70% higher risk of being diagnosed with heart disease or die from a such disease. In addition, early loss of teeth may indicate osteoporosis.
Redness on the face
Rosacea – a chronic skin disorder – usually manifested by symptoms such as redness and swelling of the face that looks like pimples or acne. Furthermore, while the nose may become swollen.
Dark spots on skin
Acanthosis is a condition that is manifested by the fact that the skin becomes darker and thicker. Also, people with insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity and, in rare cases, cancer can have such darker spots. It would be advisable to see a doctor if you notice such spots.
Hair in unusual places
Hair that occurs in places atypical for women, such as the face, chest, stomach, back, hands or feet, may be a sign of PCOS, which can cause infertility and irregular or absent menstrual periods.
A butterfly-shaped rash on the face
Any rash is a sign that something goes wrong in the body, but one that appear on the face like a butterfly is a classic symptom of lupus, an immune system disorder that affects skin, joints, blood and kidneys.
Dry and thin hair and his excessive fall
Excessive hair loss can be caused by stress, illness, pregnancy, medications and hormonal changes. Thin and dry hair can be a sign of an overactive or underactive thyroid (a simple blood test can show if there are problems in this respect).
Very chapped lips
Very cracked and dry lips can be a reaction to medication or a symptom of an allergy, an infection or other health problems. If they are cracked at the corners can be about Sjogren’s syndrome, an immune system disorder.
Unusual moles
Moles that look strange, such as the asymmetric ones have irregular borders, which have a diameter greater than six millimeters, those that vary in color, those who change or evolve, may indicate skin cancer – melanoma. Those who observe such changes should go to a doctor.
Yellowing of the eyes
When the eyes – especially their white area – get a shade of yellow, this can be a sign of liver disease such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, in this case is also indicated a medical consultation.