Minor Inconvenience or Major Health Problem? Don’t Miss THESE Signs

Minor Inconvenience or Major Health Problem? Don't Miss THESE Signs
Young woman brushing healthy hair in front of a mirror

(AscendHealthy.com) – Our bodies have ways of telling us when something isn’t right, but we aren’t always the most perceptive at reading the signals. We can get used to feeling a little off here and there, especially when we haven’t been eating the best or adhering to a fitness regimen. Some of us might even downright ignore any discomfort we’ve been dealing with, blowing it off as stress or lack of sleep.

Most of the time, we’re right. We live busy, hectic lives, and we don’t always take the best care of ourselves. However, what might seem like a minor annoyance can sometimes be the body screaming for our attention. Don’t miss these potential red flags that may be signaling serious health issues.

Unmanageable Hair

We all have days when there’s no beating the battle against the frizz, but when the good hair days start disappearing altogether, a bigger issue could be at play. Changes to the hair can be the result of nutritional deficiencies, numerous chronic illnesses and even cancer. Thyroid disease can also affect hair quality, and some sufferers may even experience patches of baldness.

Signs to watch out for include hair loss, weakness, and changes in hair color. The scalp and body hair may also be affected.

Changes to the Nails

Dry, brittle nails can also indicate malnutrition and thyroid disease. In addition, fingernails may become thinner to reflect metabolic bone diseases like osteopenia and osteoporosis. Systemic autoimmune diseases, psoriasis, and lichen planus can also cause rough, unhealthy nails.

Nail clubbing, which occurs when the nails begin to curve around the fingertips, can also be an indicator of a serious health problem. It may be a sign of lung disease, cardiovascular disease, AIDS, liver disease, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Persistent Heartburn or Bloating

Gastrointestinal issues are common; we all eat something every once in a while that doesn’t sit quite right. When stomach upset becomes common, it could indicate problems that are far more serious than indigestion. For example, chronic heartburn could be a sign of precancerous or cancerous changes to the esophagus or stomach.

Bloating may be a sign of infection, poor food absorption, gastrointestinal tumors, or endometriosis. It can sometimes be the first sign of ovarian cancer. Most cases of persistent bloating are likely to trace back to irritable bowel syndrome.

Skin Dryness

Who thinks twice about a patch of itchy skin during the winter or a dry mouth on a hot summer day? Dehydration is the likely culprit in most cases.

Dry skin can sometimes be a sign of diabetes. In other cases, it might be a presentation of eczema or psoriasis. Dryness of the eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes may indicate an autoimmune condition called Sjogren’s syndrome. In some cases, it can even be a symptom of uncontrolled stress or anxiety.

Bad Breath

We might attribute most bad breath cases to poor oral hygiene, but numerous conditions can cause mouth odor. Gingivitis, Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes, certain infections (like tuberculosis and thrush), and even some forms of cancer can contribute to bad breath. In some cases, liver or kidney failure is the cause. Sinusitis, tonsillitis, tonsil stones, chronic bronchitis, gastric reflux disease, peptic ulcers, and hiatal hernia are other possible culprits.

Always Hot or Cold

Some people seem to be predisposed to always feeling cold or hot, but if this problem is new or perceptions of temperature seem to fluctuate, another serious medical condition could be present. Hot flashes and night sweats can be a manifestation of menopause, but they can also be a sign of infection or cancer.

Feeling cold more than usual may also indicate cancer, or it can result from an autoimmune disease. Health Digest warns that unusually cold hands and feet can sometimes be a sign of vascular disease. It might also be a sign of underactive thyroid.

Some symptoms of illness, like severe fatigue, can be hard to miss; others can be easier to ignore. Remember to pay attention to any subtle changes that may occur. They might just be annoying inconveniences that come with being human — but they also might not. When the body speaks, it’s crucial that we listen.

~Here’s to Your Healthy Ascension

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