It's well known that physical appearance is a key indicator of general health. Pale or sallow skin is often a tip off that someone isn't well. Brittle or thinning hair can indicate that someone is going through chemotherapy treatment or has been sick for quite a while. When someone loses large amounts of weight very quickly, friends and family may be alarmed, urging them to see a physician. The same might be true of a sudden weight gain, as well. There are many physical indicators of wellness we notice about each other. However, how often do you look at the fingernails of other people, and how often do you look at your own? It's something that you should be making a regular effort to check.
Any sudden differences in the body should be noted and discussed with a professional. When it comes to the fingernails, here are some to watch for. When there's not enough oxygen in the blood, they will take on a blue tinge. This may mean something simple, like bronchitis. More seriously, it could indicate a respiratory disease like COPD, or even heart disease. Also related to color, pale or white, also known as Terry's, fingernails may indicate problems in the heart or liver, or anemia caused by low iron. Yellow generally indicates fungus, but may also point to psoriasis. When they crack or break often, a thyroid disease or inflammatory bowel disease may be the culprit. Injury or malnutrition may cause horizontal lines, known as Beau's lines. Clubbing is a clue to congestive heart failure, or CHF, and thickening might indicate peripheral vascular disease.
There's a lot that can be learned from a person' fingernails. Whether you observe your own or regularly check out the hands of your friends, it doesn't hurt to be aware of how much information can be gathered from a quick glimpse. Like everything else in the body, any sudden changes to the nails should be discussed with a doctor. While you may notice a sign of something as simple as low iron, you may also catch an early indicator of liver disease. The sooner you can treat these problems, the better.