I went to the Minnesota State Fair, which is held in twin cities each year. The most amazing part about the Minnesota State Fair is the amount of people visiting. I was amazed to see what people, especially; women had done to their nails. Many women took care of their nails really well and were well painted, but I could see some women were careless. Your nails play an important role in beautifying the way you look and preserving a good health on the whole. Have you ever realized that your fingernails and toenails can indicate potential problems in other parts of your body?
I remember an educational advertisement on television in India. One pregnant lady goes to a fortune teller to ask future of her. For those of you new to art of palmistry, in India, palmistry is somewhat common to read into someone’s future. Anyhow, the fortune teller looks at back of her hand and tells her that instead of future of your child, you should consume calcium as your nails are becoming white. You would be amazed to know that your nails besides helping you to open the knot, can also warn you of the future diseases. The color and shape of your nails provide important sign to your health. If you have healthy nails, they should have a pink tone. Any change in tone and texture may indicate mineral and vitamin deficiencies that can lead to severe diseases in long term.
Here are a few common health conditions with symptoms that can show up on the ends of your fingers.
|
Disease |
Nail Condition |
|
Anemia |
Pale nails that may become brittle, flat, or even spoon-shaped as the condition becomes more severe |
|
Arthritis |
Split or deformed nails |
|
Diabetes |
Yellowish nails with a slight blush at the base |
|
Chronic Infections |
Clubbed fingernails (very rounded, dome shaped nails, described below)* |
|
Dermatomyositis |
A silver shaped hemorrhage under the nail, but without pain. |
|
Extreme emotional stress |
Bitten or chewed nails |
|
Heart Failure or Chronic lung cancer |
Bluish nails along with shortness of breath and a cough |
|
Hyperthyroidism |
Brittle, loose nails that are shaped like a spoon (describe below)** |
|
Hypothyroidism |
Brittle, loose nails |
|
Kidney disease |
White discoloration at the base of the nails |
|
Liver disease (Chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis) |
Opaque, white nails |
|
Lung cancer |
Clubbed fingernails (very rounded, dome shaped nails)* |
|
Lung diseases (emphysema) |
Yellowish, thickened, slow-growing nails |
|
Melanoma |
Dark lines beneath the nail |
|
Psoriasis |
Ends of your nails pulling away from the underlying skin (nail bed) |
|
Zinc deficiency |
White spots on the nails |
*Nail clubbing: Clubbing occur when the tips of your fingers enlarge and your nails curve around your fingertips. This condition results from low oxygen levels in your blood and could be a sign of lung disease. Clubbing is also associated with inflammatory bowel and liver disease.
**Spoon nails: Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Spoon nails may be a sign of iron deficiency anemia
Now you can appreciate the information that your nails can provide for your well being. Taking care of your body is vital. In order to have a healthy and strong body, and nails, you need to eat a balanced diet, avoid the junk food and exercise consistently. Healthy diet should include foods such as yoghurt, milk, fish, eggs, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables and whole cereals. Drink plenty of water and fresh fruit juices. In other words, “you are what you eat”. If you want to be healthy, you have to eat healthy.
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