Your body is a complex system that is as intricate as any other machine. Everything inside you is connected in some way, so your neck or back could be the cause of pain radiating down your leg. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact origins of some problems, but you often get different bodily signals or warning signs that something is wrong.
For example, if you sleep poorly on your stomach, you may have stiff neck and a severe headache when you wake up. A headache is an indication that you have sprained or misaligned some vertebrae, which is causing you discomfort. Some warnings are subtle reminders that you are getting older and have some issues.
Think of your body as a car. You can put up with that rattle because you know it’s not serious. However, when you see smoke coming out of the engine or not going past 24mph, you know it’s time to take it to the shop.
10 ways the body signals when something is wrong
Your body will let you know when it’s time to see a doctor, and there are some things, like an arthritic shoulder, that you learn to deal with. However, there are other times when your body tells you that you need immediate help. Here are ten things that indicate a health problem and you should address them.
1. Stains and Peeling on Nails and Cuticles
Your nails should be clear and shiny, but if the color is faded, it’s a sign of trouble. If you smoke cigarettes, you can expect your hands to become discolored due to nicotine and oxygen issues. However, did you know that your nail beds can also show that you are vitamin deficient?
If you notice spots on your nails along with peeling or symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, or palpitations, it could be a sign of a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Your body needs vitamins to function properly, and if you’re low on vital nutrients, you’ll need to take a supplement or eat foods rich in these vitamins to boost levels.
2. The body signals distress due to redness in the face
If you’ve read spots on your nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin, you may have a condition called rosacea. According American Academy of Dermatology , estimates show that more than 414 million people suffer from this condition. It looks worse than it is, but it can cause some embarrassment and acne.
The good news is that it is easy to treat. It’s important not to think of these signs as just acne, as lupus also causes a red butterfly rash on the face. When considering the autoimmune condition of lupus, the inflammation will be predominantly on the bridge of the nose and other symptoms will accompany it.
3. Yellow Skin
Any shade of yellow in your skin is a major health issue that you need to address. The yellow color almost always comes from a liver problem and can be fatal if left untreated. If you drink a lot, yellow skin could mean cirrhosis of the liver.
Fatty liver disease is also dangerous as it is often a silent killer. Fat cells accumulate in the liver and this organ cannot eliminate toxins from the body. Fortunately, most people can control this condition, according to Harvard health publication healthy eating and exercise.
4. Neck discoloration ring
If you notice a darkened and discolored ring around your neck, it’s not because you haven’t washed it well enough. Those dark spots that appear in the creases of the neck mean a lot of trouble. Commonly, it is a sign of a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
According National Library of Medicine Polycystic ovary syndrome is a medical condition caused by a hormonal imbalance of cysts within the ovaries. It is the number one cause of infertility as it directly affects women during their childbearing years. These rings appearing on the neck could indicate imbalanced hormones and could also indicate diabetes.
5. Vertical brown stripe on the nail
White spots on nails may not be as severe as a brown spot. This indicates melanoma or skin cancer, among other things. Melanoma is one of the health problems that doesn’t seem as serious as the different types of malignant tumors, but it is deadly.
Bob Marley, the famous singer who won the hearts of millions in the 1960s, died of skin cancer under his toenail. He was just 36 years old, according to an article in the skin cancer foundation .
6. Swollen eyes are one of the body signals you may receive
Puffy eyes can result from allergies, but they can also mean that your salt intake is too high. Salt causes the body to swell in many areas, and the legs, feet and eyes are just a few. Your eyes can tell you a lot, and this puffy condition could be an indication of things like Grave’s disease or a sleep disorder.
While a cold compress or tea bag can help remove the nasty swelling, it doesn’t solve the underlying problem. If this is a recurring problem, you need to have it managed by a doctor.
7. Cracked heels are one of the body’s signs that something is wrong
It is not uncommon to have dry skin during the winter months, especially on the heels. You probably don’t think much about this condition as it seems normal. However, dry heels can also indicate a deeper problem, such as diabetes or a thyroid disorder.
It would help if you soaked those rough heels in some soapy water to kill any bacteria and then applied a moisturizer containing shea butter or lactic acid. If you have diabetes, it is possible for these heels to develop cracks or cuts that do not heal. It would be helpful to have this checked by a doctor as once an infection is established in this area it may be impossible to cure it with different glucose levels.
8. Mouth ulcers
If you bite your tongue or cheeks, you can develop ulcers inside your mouth. While this is common, it can cause an infection in this region. However, these sores can appear even if you don’t have an anxiety problem that triggers the bite.
Things like smoking, iron deficiency, and a B-12 problem can also cause these ulcers to form. There are usually other symptoms of these deficiencies in the body as these deficiencies do not happen overnight. Another thing to consider is poor dental hygiene.
You may have an ulcer around an infected tooth, which is a sign of an abscess. An abscessed tooth is one of the signs you don’t want to ignore. The infection can quickly enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis, according to The Sepsis Alliance.
9. Your body is telling you about problems with smelly, cracked, and blistered feet.
You might think these smelly feet are a common occurrence, but they are the body’s signs that something more sinister is going on. If you have blisters, peeling, sweaty feet and a strong odor, you may have a typical case of Athlete’s Foot.
You can often treat athlete’s foot with things like tea tree oil. It is a fungal infection that occurs when the feet have too much moisture and do not breathe properly. In severe cases, the toenails can come off the bed and the area can become so raw that a secondary infection occurs.
10. Fat pad or back hump
As you get older, you may notice a buildup of fat or a condition similar to a hump in your back. In most cases, it is a benign condition that causes fat to accumulate in this area. However, it may be an indication of osteoporosis in older women.
According National Library of Medicine Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and brittle. A calcium deficiency causes this and tends to make this area of ​​the back pronounced. As this is a silent disease, you need to recognize signs like family history, small frame, low bone density, and a lack of calcium and vitamin D in your system.
Final Thoughts on the Body Signals You May Receive When Something Is Wrong
Your body gives you all sorts of signs that something is wrong. Think of it like a check engine light that comes on on your car’s dashboard. It would be helpful if you were concerned enough to see what is going on and what you need to do to fix it.
Some people keep driving, hoping they don’t have a breakdown on life’s roads. In many cases, it’s something simple that can be easily fixed or managed. However, there are other cases where health problems are serious and you need immediate medical attention.
Famous singer Bob Marley is a prime example that your life can be interrupted by something as simple as a stain that appears under your toenail. He probably didn’t give it much thought, but it was a deadly form of skin cancer that ended his life. Listen to the signals and signals that your body gives you, as it can be the red flag that saves you.
By Chris Butler. Article in English