What Your Nails Say About Your Health

Monday 7th December 2009

Most of us are already aware that our nails can hold vital clues about the state of our overall health, but most of us don't know what our nails are trying to tell us. Ripples and bumps, white specks, and a change in colour may all be signs of disease in the body. Keep reading to find out what your nails say about your health.

Pale Nails are often a sign associated with aging, but can also be a sign of illnesses such as Anemia, Diabetes, Liver disease or Malnutrition.

White Nails are often a sign of liver problems.

Yellow Nails are often a sign of a fungal infection. As the infection worsens the nail bed may retract and nails may thicken and begin to crumble.

Blue Nails or nails with a slight tint of blue about them show a lack of oxygen. This could be an indication of lung problems.

Rippled Nails If the surface of the nails is pitted or rippled this could be a sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis.

Brittle Nails that are dry and crack have been linked with thyroid disease. If the nails are brittle but with a hint of yellow then you may have a fungal disease.

Puffy Nail Fold If the area around the nail is red and swollen, then this is known as inflammation of the nail fold. It could be the result of lupus or another connective tissue disorder.

Dark Lines should be look at instantly by a medical professional as they are sometimes caused by melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

Bitten Nails Gnawing at your nails may be nothing but a habit but in some cases it can be a sign of anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorders that may benefit from treatment.

Although we all have nails that change throughout our lives it may not necessarily mean we have one or more of the above health conditions, and of course we have to take into consideration other symptoms too. All in all, many nail abnormalities are not dangerous and are quite harmless.

If you want to see the series of photographs that accompany this article then you can do so by clicking here

See you again tomorrow with another guest blogger post!

Photo by thesun.co.uk

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How To Perform A Breast Self Examination

Wednesday 21st October 2009

Although doctors recommend that women begin practicing breast self-exams (BSE) at age 20, many are still unaware of how important this procedure is to their heath. As 1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer, early detection is the best way to fight the disease. The key is to notice tumors before they grow to be potentially deadly; a BSE carefully searches the breasts for signs of these tumors.

A special advisory group of doctors created standard procedures for a BSE to assist women in becoming 'breast aware.' This awareness refers to knowing your normal breast fully, and being more likely to notice a change that could be cancerous. Naturally, the breasts will change overtime, and regular self-examinations can help decide what is normal and what is a concern.

While there is no definition for a normal breast, you should know the symptoms that a BSE searches for.

• A lump or bumpy area in the breast or armpit
• A noticeable change in outline or shape of the breast
• A non-milky nipple discharge, or an inverted nipple
• A dimpling, scaling or discolouration of the skin around the breast

A breast self-exam is recommended every month a few days after your period ends. By searching improperly, you may miss a tumor! Not every cancer can be located in this way, but a BSE is a critical step for becoming 'breast aware.' The earlier you begin regular exams, abnormalities will be less difficult to discover. For women who find tumors in their early stages, 80% will survive.

First, examine your breasts in a mirror with the arms both lowered and raised; search for the visible symptoms described above. Next, feel your breasts while lying down. Using a firm and smooth touch cover the entire breast from the collarbone to the top of the abdomen, and from the armpit to cleavage. Breasts often have different zones where tumors can occur ...be sure to examine them all.

If you find a lump or one of the other named symptoms, consult your GP as soon as possible. Remember, early discovery is the best way to combat breast cancer.

In this video Dr Chris shows you how to check your breasts for any possible signs of growths or other symptoms.

Be aware that this video does contain scene of partial nudity for educational purposes.




Credits: Photograph courtesy of www.femalefirst.co.uk

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What Causes High Blood Pressure?

Monday 19th October 2009

When we think of someone having high blood pressure, we usually consider them to be anxious, tense or hyperactive.

The truth is that high blood pressure, or hypertension, can affect just about anybody and you don't need to have high stress levels to have this medical condition.

So what does cause high blood pressure? In most cases scientists cannot be sure what causes it. Initially it causes no obvious symptoms but can produce some serious and long term complications. Many people can have high blood pressure and not even know it, but more alarmingly, they are more prone to complications such as heart disease and heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.

Blood pressure does have a tendency to rise with age, however certain pre existing medical conditions can cause hypertension. Chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea and thyroid disease can all cause a rise in blood pressure as can some asthma medications, cold relief products and the contraceptive pill.

I have already stated that most people will not even know they have high blood pressure, but there are a few symptoms that you can watch out for:

- Persistent / frequent headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting (very rare)
- Dizziness, becoming lightheaded and suffering with Vertigo
- Blurred vision
- Nosebleeds
- Palpitations
-Shortness of breath

Even though there is no one direct cause of high blood pressure, a few other factors can determine whether or not you are more prone to the condition.

If you have a family history of high blood pressure, you are overweight, rarely exercise, consume more than the RDA of alcohol, have a high salt intake or have a high fat diet, then you are more likely to suffer with hypertension.

Studies at the Tulane Center For Cardiovascular Health (USA) have also shown that those who were born with a low birth weight are likely to develop the condition as they get older.

The good news is that the condition can be medicated, but with a few simple lifestyle changes, high blood pressure can even be prevented.

Just remember that prevention is better than cure, particularly if you find you have a family history of the condition so start looking after yourself today for a better you!

On that note I'm going to leave it there.

We will be back tomorrow morning with another guest blogger post.

See you then!

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