Watery mouth? You could be pregnant. Burping a lot? You may be allergic to milk. A new book reveals the real meaning of those niggling symptoms. And it’s not just for hypochondriacs
TOO MUCH earwax, frequent yawning, a gurgling tummy — we’ve all noticed things about our bodies that are annoying, weird and sometimes downright embarrassing. But while these signs are often harmless, in some cases they may signal something more serious. In a new book, Jacqueline Nardi Egan, a leading medical writer, helps you become you own diagnostic detective.
Watery mouth? You could be pregnant. Burping a lot? You may be allergic to milk. A new book reveals the real meaning of those niggling symptoms. And it’s not just for hypochondriacs...
HAIR
Change in texture
If your formerly luxuriant locks tangle easily or have become dry, brittle or coarse, this is one of the classic signs of hypothyroidism — a fairly common but often underdiagnosed condition, especially among women. The thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism, fails to produce enough thyroid hormone, and hair growth — as well as other body functions — slows down.
Texture changes can also point to changes in the female hormones. During pregnancy, dry hair may become oilier, and vice versa. During the menopause, when oestrogen levels drop, the hair shafts thin and dry out.
Striped hair
Vertical stripes (usually blonde, grey, or reddish) are often a sign of severe nutritional deficiencies — for example, of protein or iron.
Striped hair can also signal ulcerative colitis or other conditions affecting protein absorption, such as irritable bowel syndrome, extensive bowel surgery, or anorexia nervosa.
Prematurely grey
Greying hair is a normal sign of ageing. But turning grey before your time can also be a sign of pernicious anaemia — a reduction of red blood cells caused by the body’s inability to absorb vitamin B12. This can be accompanied by paleness and an unsteady gait. Premature greying may also be a warning sign of diabetes and coronary heart disease.
Excessive hair loss
Can be due to stress, physical trauma such as surgery, or a skin disorder such as eczema. It can also be a delayed sign of a recent fever or an indication that you’re fighting a viral or bacterial infection.
More surprisingly, it can be a telltale sign you’re eating lots of raw eggs (or mayonnaise).
This can lead to biotin deficiency (also known as egg-white injury syndrome). Other red flags may include dry skin, rashes and fine, brittle hair. If untreated, neurological and intestinal problems can develop.
EYES
Circles under the eyes
While often nothing more than an inherited trait, a sign of ageing or lack of sleep, dark circles can also be a health indicator. Certain blood-thinning medication (aspirin, or warfarin, for example) dilates the blood vessels underneath the eyes, making circles more evident. Eczema and allergies also cause dark circles — they are often referred to as ‘allergic shiners’. Allergies cause blood veins to become congested and blood to pool under the eyes.
Dark circles can show you’ve been sunbathing too much. Excess sun causes the skin to redden or darken, and the skin around our eyes is no exception.
Growths on eyelid
If on the inner corner of the upper eyelid and yellowish in colour, they’re probably xanthelasmas: painless — albeit ugly — fatty deposits under the skin. People over the age of 60 and women are more likely to have them. Although usually harmless, they are markers of high levels of bad cholesterol or low levels of high cholesterol — both risk factors for heart disease.
If accompanied by yellow skin and itching, it could be more serious — primary biliary cirrhosis. Although rare, this progressive autoimmune disease can lead to liver failure and death.
Bloodshot eyes
When you’ve been crying a lot, or had one too many, the small blood vessels in the eyes dilate or become inflamed, causing the eyes to become bloodshot. Anticoagulant medication (blood-thinners) can also cause this problem.
Chronic bloodshot eyes can indicate ocular rosacea. Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes the face to become red, oily and pimply.
Eye twitches
Often this is simply lid myokymia, a harmless involuntary spasm of the eyelid. Fatigue, stress or even too much caffeine can set them off, as can staring at a computer or any other flickering light. Twitches may last for only a few seconds or for several days at a time. While usually benign, lid myokymia can be an early sign of blepharospasm, where eyelids repeatedly shut tight rather than twitch. The eyes are also often irritated and very light-sensitive. Untreated blepharospasm can lead to severe vision impairment.
EARS
Red ears
Whenever we blush, our ears (as well as our faces) often turn crimson. But red ears may also point to ear infections, as well as skin diseases such as rosacea. They can also signal red ear syndrome, a benign condition in which one ear may become red, hot and painful. Seemingly innocuous triggers — such as touching your ear, chewing or coughing — can set it off, and it primarily affects children and young adults.
Red ears are also associated with migraines that affect the same side as the red ear.
Excessive earwax
This may indicate your diet is too low in fat. You may also be overzealously cleaning out your ears. This can cause your ear to become impacted with wax.
Itchy ears
A sign of allergies or skin conditions such as eczema. An itch can also be an early sign of swimmer’s ear (otitis externa), a condition in which the external ear canal is infected with bacteria or fungi. Later signs often include yellowish discharge and pain. Left untreated, it can progress to a potentially life-threatening condition called malignant otitis externa, a bone infection.
NOSE
Loss of smell
A sign of ageing but also of zinc deficiency. Smell loss can also be a reaction to drugs such as decongestants and medications for hyperthyroidism.
It is the only red flag for a brain tumour known as olfactory groove meningioma. This is usually not cancerous and is treatable but, left alone, it can go on to affect your vision as well.
Olfactory groove meningioma occurs more often in women, usually between the ages of 40 and 70. Finally, it can be a very early symptom of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
A very runny nose
Uusually just the result of a cold or allergy. If you don’t have either of these but clear mucus drains continuously, it can signal something more serious, such as a tumour.
If the discharge is thick and discoloured, it may be a sinus infection, especially if you have a fever. Difficulty breathing and a reduced sense of smell can also suggest a nasal polyp (fleshy swellings), although these are usually not cancerous.
LIPS AND MOUTH
Dry mouth
A mouth that feels like it’s stuffed with cotton often just shows you’re dehydrated from too much salt, alcohol or heat. But it may be a reaction to medication such as antihistamines, antidepressants and some blood pressure medications. A dry mouth can also signal an injury to the salivary glands from a neck trauma or surgery.
It’s often difficult to distinguish dry mouth from excessive thirst. But accompanied with continual hunger and the need to urinate a lot, it may also signal diabetes.
Watery mouth
Excessive saliva may be a reaction to certain medications, especially cholinergic drugs, which are used to treat dry mouth and glaucoma.
It is often a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, more commonly known as acid reflux, and more serious conditions such as gastric ulcers, liver disease and pancreatitis. On a more positive note, it may also be an early clue that you’re pregnant.
Diminished sense of taste
A diminished sense of taste is a natural consequence of ageing. In other cases, you may be suffering from an oral infection or irritation from braces or dentures.
Taste disorders can be important clues in diagnosing a vitamin A or B3 (niacin) deficiency as well.
JAW
Clicking jaw
A clicking jaw whenever you bite or yawn is one of the most common symptoms of the common condition temporomandibular joint disorder, an inflammation of the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. Other signs may include ringing or pain in the ears and sensitive teeth.
Stiff jaw
Difficulty opening your mouth to eat or speak may indicate trismus, another common sign of temporomandibular joint disorder. It could also be lupus, a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that also affects the skin, joints, kidneys and other organs.
If your jaw feels stiff and you can’t move it from side to side, it may also be a serious sign of oral cancer.
Frequent yawning
Most of the time, yawning is simply a result of tiredness or boredom. Sometimes, it can forewarn of a type of fainting — vasovagal syncope — associated with fainting from fear.
People with some neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, often yawn excessively. Some antidepressants and Parkinson’s drugs can also cause excessive yawning.
TORSO
Body tingling
Tingling, numbness or the sensation that a foot or arm has fallen asleep may signal a pinched nerve caused by joint and spinal injuries and even pregnancy.
Occasionally, numbness and tingling are forewarnings of a migraine or epileptic seizure.
Facial, body, or limb numbness is also one of the most common and earliest warning signs of multiple sclerosis.
Gurgling stomach
Medically known by the onomatopoeic term borborygmus (that’s Greek for ‘rumbling’), these sounds, which emanate from both your stomach and intestines, are actually healthy signs that your digestive system is working well. They’re caused by peristalsis, wavelike contractions of the walls of the gastrointestinal tract that help push food, fluid and gas through the digestive system.
Although usually benign, a gurgling stomach can sometimes point to serious problems, especially if accompanied by bloating, gas, cramps or diarrhoea. Possible causes include stomach viruses, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Excessive burping
For most, burping is a benign sign of stomach gas — excess swallowed air trapped in our digestive systems. Burping may be a sign of having eaten foods high in fibre. Excessive burping can also indicate being lactose intolerance. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose in the digestive tract. If it’s missing, many foods, including milk and other dairy products, can’t be digested properly, resulting in gas. Burping a lot may also signal gallbladder disorders or even stomach or colon cancer.
Other signs of these conditions include bloating, weight loss and vomiting blood.
Excessive burping with severe nausea or vomiting may be danger signs of a heart attack.
NB: This guide is not a substitute for seeking medical advice.
Extracted from Body Signs by Joan Liebmann-Smith and Jacqueline Egan
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