From nail ridges to eye twitches… what’s your body trying to tell you?
If you know what to look for, everything from acne, to white film on the tongue, or lines on your fingernails offer clues to underlying health issues
FOR every problem our bodies suffer on the inside, there’s a way it tries to tip us off on the outside.
Of course, often we miss the signs, either because they are too subtle, we’re not paying attention, or they seem harmless or ordinary.
Bloated tummy
Your body is basically trying to tell you you're not digesting your food well or that you have an allergy or intolerance.
Some of the most common include dairy, wheat, and nuts.
: "Other common causes of bloating include hormonal issues, candida, constipation, too much sugar or booze, stress, dysbiosis (an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria in our digestive tract) or IBS."
Consuming large meals can cause bloating. This can dilute the acid in the stomach, rendering it unable to start breaking down food.
Certain sugars from foods can also be a problem.
Called Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols or FODMAPs for short, they can release gases from fermentation.
Food high in FODMAPS are associated with IBS, including bloating.
Red skin and acne
The most common causes are often hormone-related.
Testosterone is the hormone that promotes acne the most – hence why it is such an issue for teenage boys.
But women also tend to get acne flare ups about one week before their menstruation starts due to a dip in oestrogen.
“When you get acne, your body may also be trying to alert you to an underlying hormonal or digestive disturbance,” said Hay.
“It could also be a result of liver imbalance, poor diet especially if you eat too much carbohydrate, stress and allergies amongst other things.”
White coating on the tongue
A white film on the tongue can be indicative of digestive disturbances such as microbiome imbalance, iron or B vitamin deficiency and possibly diabetes.
“In the case of iron and vitamin B deficiency it is quite likely you will be feeling constantly tired,” Hay said.
Thick, white spots on the tongue that look like pus are more likely to be oral thrush, or leukoplakia - white patches inside the mouth or on the tongue and gums especially common in smokers and those who use smokeless tobacco.
Vertical and horizontal nail ridges
Healthy looking nails are smooth, curved, shiny, and don't have spots.
Nail ridges themselves are nothing to be overly concerned but if untreated, they can pose embarrassment.
“That is not to say, however, that you shouldn't have them checked out by your GP just to be on the safe side,” Mr Hay said.
Vertical ridges can be a sign of anaemia, reports.
Cold sores and mouth ulcers
Both are red-flags for a compromised immune system, but cold sores and mouth ulcers are not the same thing.
Hay said: “For starters, mouth ulcers are found on the inside of the mouth on the gums, tongue and inner cheeks whereas cold sores develop on the outside on the lips.
“Most importantly, whilst mouth ulcers are indicative of a weakening immune system, they are non-contagious.
“Cold sores on the other hand are a manifestation of a dormant viral infection which flares up whenever our immune system becomes compromised for whatever reason.
“Your body is telling, or rather showing you that your immune systems is in need of some TLC.
“They often start popping up as the weather gets colder and in times of stress both of which can weaken our body's innate protective systems.
Yellowing of the eyes and/or skin
“The yellowing of the skin or eyes can be symptomatic of something more serious but they are all fundamentally either directly or indirectly related to the health status of the liver.
“Yellowing of the skin may be attributed to an excess intake of beta carotene, vitamin A and vitamin C, in which case it usually poses no threat, yellowing of the eyes is usually observed in people whose livers may be in trouble.
“In this case, seek medical advice as soon as possible, the earlier the problem is diagnosed, the better the prognosis."
Jaundice can also cause yellowing of the skin.
According to the NHS, jaundice can be caused by gallstones, alcoholic liver disease, pancreatitis, hepatitis, sickle cell, amongst others.
Eye twitches
Eyes are the body’s hotline to the nervous system.
If your eyes twitching every now again out of nowhere, your body is trying to tell you that your nervous system is suffering.
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Often this will resolve itself.
“Electrolyte imbalance and the hydration status of your body are quite often the culprits of nerve spasms and these can be easily fixed.”
Eye twitches can also signify a magnesium deficiency.
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