Health problems: 12 color changes on the body are your warning signs
By DEREK CLONTZ
Your World Report
Even minor changes in the color of your skin, eyes, mouth or other
parts of the body can be early tip-offs to health problems, says a
doctor.
“Any of these changes may be a danger sign and warrant seeing your doctor
immediately,” says Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, author of The Complete
Medical Exam.
Here,’s the rundown:
SKIN
- Paler than usual complexion, including lips, tongue and hands: This could be anemia,
a shortage of red blood cells or hemoglobin.
- New brown patches: These may indicate skin cancer - a disease that’s
usually curable when treated in the early stages.
- Yellowish bungs: Found around the palms, elbows or eyes, these bumps usually indicate
high blood cholesterol levels.
NOSE
- Red and inflamed membranes inside the nose, but no watery eyes: This is usually a
sign of an allergy or irritation. It could also mean there’s a polyp, or small lump
inside the nose.
MOUTH
- Dark-colored tongue: A nasal problem can force a person to breathe through his mouth
more than normal, causing the mucus inside the mouth to become darker.
- Blue lips: Advanced heart trouble or anemia could possibly be preventing enough
oxygen from getting into the blood.
- Red sores at the corners of the mouth: This condition may indicate a deficiency in
vitamin B2.
- Blue gums: Lead poisoning could be the cause of dark blue line of the gums. Be
especially alert for this sign in younger children, who sometimes chew lead-based paints
off walls and furniture.
HANDS
- Red splotchy palms: Severe malnutrition or liver disease may be the cause, so see
your doctor right away.
- Yellow-brown or greenish color under fingernails with separation of the nails: A
yeast infection is probably responsible for the yellow-brown hue, while bacteria
infections result in the green color.
EYES
- Yellowing of the eye, along wiht areas of skin: Chances are that jaundice, resulting
from a liver malfunction, is present. Consult a physician.
- White ring in the cornea: This is common on older people, but for people under 40 it
could mean a vulnerability to arteriosclerosis, narrowing of the blood vessels.
Question? Comment? What do you think? Write Your
World Report Editor Derek Clontz . He reads and responds personally to every
letter, often within minutes and always within one business day.
Remember: Your World Report is the world's fastest-growing
newsmagazine.* Welcome to our family of readers - 2.5 million strong.
* GNI Global Readership Survey 2009.
Copyright © 2009 4-Page Media, Inc./Your World Report.
All rights reserved. |
