The body is made up of a perfect mechanism of many parts and processes happening all at once. And as a unit of many organs having different functions and processes, our body has its own ways of raising red flags to signal if something is not working or flowing right.
The signs that the body show might mean issues that need to be addressed before more serious health problems start to develop. Ignoring these signs may lead to the issue and cause a build-up of a more serious health concern to the degree that it may become too complicated, expensive, and intrusive to prevent or treat.
To avoid serious health problems from occurring, we must pay attention to what and how our body is trying to get to us. Since our body has its way of telling us what we need, it is best to be sensitive and conscious of the signs. To help you identify the signals that the body shows indicating the need for medical intervention, changes in diet, or the need to assess one’s lifestyle, here are the following signs and explanations.
Insomnia, Irritability, And Leg Cramps
If you have not been having enough sleep, especially if you are unable to sleep at times that you should have already been sleeping, it is a clear indication that you have insomnia. Add to the trouble of not falling or staying asleep, showing signs of agitation to some degree, as well as experiencing leg cramps make these sure signs that your body needs magnesium and potassium. Attending to your body’s needs early on through adding bananas, oranges, spinach, and tomatoes to your everyday diet will replenish the vital elements needed by your body. It will also save you an unnecessary trip to the hospital due to more serious and severe cases as a result of ignoring the early signs.
Dry Skin
While having dry skin isn’t usually serious, it can be a sign though that your skin lacks vitamin E. In most cases, it can be due from extreme temperatures of hot or cold weather, having low moisture in the air, or soaking way too long in hot water. Some cases give bad credits to the use of strong detergent formula or skin soaps. But there is nothing much to worry about in these cases as they can be easily addressed by applying topical creams infused with vitamin E or one may choose to take it orally in capsules. Best of all, include food that are good sources of vitamin E— such as eating more vegetables, healthy oil, nuts, and fresh fish— in your daily diet.
Sweet Tooth
To some people, when stress kicks in, they experience a strong desire to eat salty food. This turns out as mindlessly munching on seasoned nuts or chips. But others opt more on the sweets. Snacking on sugar may feel good and satisfying to some degree. However, it can get excessive and addictive too. That is why best to take it in moderation. The sweet tooth craving is almost always the result of being in a state of stress, depression, or exhaustion. So the next time you’re in these states and your body craves for glucose, best to satisfy your cravings in small and regulated portions. If it helps, go for honey or some chunks of dark chocolate to avoid gaining weight.
Desire To Eat Ice
People who experience anemia are those who are actually iron deficient. And in those cases, they may find themselves craving for something icy or cold. When this sign shows up, it is a signal from your body about its need for iron. That is why it’s time to look into your regular diet and make sure that the food you eat are good sources of iron, such as eggs, beef, beans and lentils, tofu, dark greens, and potatoes. Although in cases like this, no matter how light the concern may be, it is still best to consult the doctor for the proper prognosis of the desire to eat ice and lack energy. Anything that is done properly, especially medically, keeps us safe from unnecessarily using up our health care insurance.
Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums can be caused by something as simple as getting cut in the gums due to minor accidents. In other cases and to some degree, it could be symptoms of a more serious health condition. Usually, sudden bleeding of our gums due to brushing is a sure sign of deficiency in vitamin C. So to avoid this, do check on your regular food intake and make sure you are only consuming food that are rich in vitamin C, such as but not limited to the following: citrus fruits, green vegetables like spinach, red and green bell peppers, and broccoli. But if you still see the signs in your body despite your diet and boost of the vitamin, it would probably be best to go to your doctor.
Fragile Nails And Hair
Having fragile nails and hair is not a typical sign of health, even for the most sensitive- skinned people in the world. It is usually a red flag that should call your attention to attend to your body’s needs. The occurrence of having brittle hair and nails can be credited to many things. But more often than not, it is usually linked to your body’s need for biotin. Biotin is also known as Vitamin B7, which helps your food intake be converted into food energy. The best sources of the element can be attained by drinking more milk and taking in some seaweeds or nori as well as some mushrooms. Despite already observing the proper diet and taking of supplements, persistent conditions will involve a trip to the doctor.
Rings Around The Irises
For people over 50 years old, the appearance of rings around their irises is common. The rings around the iris are medically known as Arcus Senilis. However, the occurrence of this on younger people raises a red flag about their health, as its appearance on younger people could be a sign that the person has high cholesterol levels. Having high cholesterol at a young age is not normal for more youthful and healthy people. It is usually a sign for them to keep their cholesterol intake on the check. In cases like this, it is always best to consult the doctor for proper diagnosis, regardless of age. Some cases may lead to more serious conditions where treatments would come out of the pockets of one’s health insurance.
Greek Foot
Greek foot can also be called as “fire foot” or the “Morton’s toe.” This is a standout feature showing a longer second toe on your foot. Having such a condition can be credited to the constant callusing at the base of the second toe. It can also emerge as a result of discomfort on the ball of the second toe. This condition, when left untreated, may lead to some foot discomfort while wearing certain types of footwear, primarily when wearing flats. As a general rule, it is best to know which type or style of shoes can be best suited for your foot to minimize uncomfortable situations and blisters or callouses on your toe as well as other parts of your feet.
Cravings For Salty Food
If you are craving salty food, it could be your body’s way of saying that it might be in need of more minerals. Most minerals are composed of salt, which is the reason why your body is craving for the consumption of more sodium. So the next time you are craving for something salty, give it to your body and take your bag of potato chips, peanuts, and dry meat. But only do so in moderation, as consuming more than the daily requirement and feeding on such food every day can be detrimental to your health. Supplement for added minerals can be helpful too. However, we need to observe these cravings, should it get intense, as it may also be credited to inflammation or an infection somewhere in the body.
Hunger For Something Raw
You might also wonder how for no particular reason, you crave something raw to eat, all of a sudden. Some examples of this type of food would be cheese, sushi, or sashimi. Well, one possible answer is that there could be a certain degree of imbalance in the gastrointestinal or digestive system in your body. Since raw food is known to be effective in easing uncomfortable gastroenteritis conditions, that could be the big reason why your body is inviting you to a raw food refill. To help you get out of the imbalance, consciously change your diet and make sure to eat fresh food that has more leafy vegetables and lots of fruits— or you also can’t go wrong with also treating yourself to some raw salmon sushi.
Wanting Seafood
Wanting to eat seafood, just like craving for something salty, can mean a deficiency of some nutrients or minerals that your body needs. However, we think that it is the protein that the body is signaling for the most. But also it could also be credited to the lack of iodine in the body. This craving, though, can also be a sign to make eating seafood as part of your lifestyle. Seafood is already a healthy choice of diet in many forms. So to fill up your body’s need, load up with some cuts of meat or poultry, or some protein substitute for the vegans. It is also best practice to check your source of fresh seafood catch as the freshness is necessary for keeping the food good to eat.
Psoriasis
Manifesting psoriasis can be similar to dry skin, only that psoriasis has a higher degree of seriousness and severity. Dryness of skin, scaling on areas such as the arms, elbows, and other hidden parts is a sure and clear signal that something is not good or right in your system. The occurrence of psoriasis is indicative of the body’s cry for vitamins and or minerals. Usually, Vitamins A and C are a common deficiency in people manifesting this symptom. To recover from psoriasis and prevent it from appearing again, your regular diet has to include the following fruits: apricots, carrots, or oranges. Also, in recovering, refrain from scratching to avoid further damage or infection that can get very ugly and even life-threatening in some severe cases.
Increased Desire For Sour Food And/Or Beverages
For pregnant women, issues of hormonal changes are normal and can result in them craving for sour food or desiring fancy beverages which can be tangy in flavor. Pregnant women have an increased degree of craving for these sour food, and it would be hard for their husbands to refuse their wishes, as they can get very persistent in wanting to take some. As these cravings are sour, it also follows that the food or drink can stimulate organs such as the liver and gall bladder. Controlling the intake of such items is a must to avoid serious conditions. Although some pregnant women don’t experience the same level of craving, this desire also applies to those who aren’t pregnant but go through hormonal issues.
You Feel Lazy All The Time
There are times when, despite sleeping for long hours already, you still wake up feeling tired and lacking the energy to get yourself to work. Getting tired is normal, especially after a 10-hour work schedule, but it’s different and a more serious matter when you wake up from a long sleep and still don’t have the energy. In cases of lethargy wherein this degree occurs, it is a clear indication that the bod has a need to be addressed. You might want to consider doing yoga or some stretching to charge up your body. Studies show that exposing your body to these exercises can get your body the jumpstart it needs for the day, and eating a hearty breakfast can boost your energy.
Cannot Concentrate For More Than 15 Minutes
Concentration problems are more typical for kids. But older kids and adults who find it hard to focus on something for at least 15 minutes can indicate some physical or mental health problems. As a start, the manifestation of this is most likely due to the brain needing a boost. Exercise or stretching can be vital in boosting brain activity as well as getting proper sleep. Doing some routines daily or several times in a week can get the oxygen running in your head and improve your focusing power. Also, some brain-boosting remedies can also be credited with eating the right food, such as fatty fish, blueberries, chocolates, broccoli, or coffee. Not only do they only boost the brain, but they also enhance memory.
Difficulty In Sleeping And Waking Up
When you find yourself having difficulty to sleep and wake up, there is a possibility that your body may not be functioning properly. Since sleeping is already a struggle, waking up from it becomes the same. Not to mention that the lack of sleep is also credited to a possible agitation as the pattern persists. As the signs mentioned are clear indications of something wrong in our body, it is best to address the problem by taking a few simple steps, such as eating a portion of balanced food, avoid drinking milk or coffee before you sleep. Taking a shower before you hit the bed and sipping green tea could also be a good idea. If the symptoms still persist, medical drugs might be needed. In which case, it is best to consult your doctor.
Skin Rash And Acne
Our skin also has a way of reflecting everything wrong on the inside. That is why when you notice how rashes are all over your skin and acne starts to break out, you might want to consider to check out what’s happening inside your body and what’s causing these breakouts to happen. Most of the time, these skin conditions have something to do with your body’s immune response triggered by your food intake and bad habits. Eating junk food, consuming less water, not sleeping on time, stress, and vices such as smoking and drinking alcohol can all be credited for the negative effects on the skin. Such a lifestyle will kiss your glowing skin goodbye and leave you dark circles and acne on your skin.
Upset Stomach
Getting an upset stomach every other day is not normal. Let alone having it every day and for no apparent reason. However, the first few days should already raise your alarm and cause you to recall or rundown what you have been consuming for the previous days. This symptom could be an indication of having weak digestion. Junk food and alcohol consumption has a lot to do with this symptom too. Being conscious of what goes inside our body is a good habit and can be credited for fair skin and a healthy overall system. It also protects many organs from toxins and their wear and tear. To repair, incorporate lots of fiber in your diet, and learn to love eating more fruits and soups that are healthy for your gut.
Heightened Consumption Of Sugary Foods
At some point, no matter how you want to starve your body of sugar, it will eventually ask for portions of sweets. That is just how amazing our body works. Our body is intelligent enough to solicit its needs and get into every system and parts of the nutrients and minerals they need. However, there is a difference between recognizing that sugar is needed by our body and heightened sugar consumption. The latter could be an indication that you are already consuming way beyond your body’s need, hence lacking proper diet. To combat sugar cravings, you may want to stick to a diet that is more on eating fresh and leafy greens. Also, drink lots and lots of water to wash out the sweets from your taste buds.
Blurred Vision And Migraine
You may still be young and doing well, but you might wake up with blurred vision and migraine one day. This could be a signal that your body is telling you something. As a blurry vision is hard not to notice, it should be worth your attention for you to check what’s going on. In most cases, after taking enough rest and doing all the natural remedies such as filling yourself with food and drinking lots of water, a doctor’s trip is a must. These symptoms should not be taken lightly, as they can be serious to the degree that it may be life-threatening. But for those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, this could mean that they just have low blood sugar.