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HEALTH IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: Facial Signs of Illness
Mirrors are indispensable beauty aids for women. But mirrors are not just meant to fuel a woman's vanity or serve as tools for checking for signs of aging. They can help you detect signs of illness that are noticeable on your face.
Mirror, mirror on the wall…Am I sick? Here are the common facial signs of illness and their possible causes.
SKIN
Dull, lifeless skin
Dehydration. Sallow skin results from inadequate fluid intake, which does not compensate for the water loss from the skin cells. To test for dehydration, pinch the skin at the back of your hand. If it does not spring back, that means you are not drinking enough fluids. Drink at least 2 liters of fluids daily, especially during hot weather.
Itchy skin
Eczema. Itchy, dry and flaky skin, which may also be red and painful, usually appears behind the knees or inside the elbows and face, but may also develop on the face. Moisturize skin with lotions. Use antibiotics or steroids for flare-ups or resulting infections.
Poor liver function. Itching that is prominent on the hands and feet. It is a result of cholestasis, wherein there is an accumulation of bile in the blood because it cannot flow freely from the digestive tract. Visit your doctor about having a liver function test done.
Change in skin color
Excessive beta-carotene. Eating too much foods rich in beta-carotene will, in rare cases, turn the skin orange.
Jaundice and liver problems. In the presence of liver disease, the natural pigment bilirubin is deposited in the skin, instead of being removed by the liver, resulting in a yellowish skin color. Have a liver function test done.
Spotty complexion
Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Causes skin flare-ups, diarrhea or constipation, or pain as the intestinal lining becomes irritated. Determine which foods or drinks irritate the skin and digestive system by keeping a food diary for a few weeks. Take probiotic supplements containing "good" bacteria (such as Lactobacillus acidophilus) to improve digestion.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Hormonal changes cause acne flare-ups in women. Other symptoms include menstruation and fertility problems, weight gain and hair loss. Have a blood test done.
HAIR
Thin, lifeless hair
Iron deficiency. Iron is essential for hair growth. Hair changes are especially noticeable during menses and pre- and post-menopause. Take iron supplements as well as iron-rich foods, especially during your period.
Underactive thyroid gland. Causes hair thinning on the head and eyebrows. Other symptoms are dry skin, weight loss and fatigue. If thyroid disorder is suspected, have a blood test done. It is treated with daily synthetic thyroid hormone to replace deficiency in thyroxine.
Premature hair graying
Vit. B12 deficiency or Pernicious Anemia. Poor intake of foods rich in Vit. B12 leads to production of smaller numbers of red blood cells, which are abnormally large and have a short life span. Because Vit. B12 is essential for hair growth and pigmentation, premature graying is a sign of this deficiency. Other symptoms are weight loss, fatigue and diarrhea. This condition is diagnosed with a blood test and treated with Vit. B12 injections. Once the deficiency has been resolved, maintenance shots are given every 3 months for life.
EYES
Red or blood shot eyes
Infection. Resulting from the use of old make-up that causes irritation or infection. If seasonal, it may be caused by a virus ("sore eyes"). Discard six-month old cosmetics. Use antibiotic eye drops prescribed by a doctor.
Iritis or inflammation of the iris. May be caused by a viral infection, such as gastroenteritis, or triggered by autoimmune disorders like arthritis. Have your eyes thoroughly examined by an ophthalmologist.
Pale eyelids
Anemia. Pale color of the skin inside the lower eyelids instead of its usual bright pink indicates anemia due to iron deficiency. Other symptoms include headache, breathlessness, fatigue and brittle nails. Women need more iron (14.8 mg daily) than men (8.7 mg daily) because menstruation could lead to deficiency. Increase intake of foods rich in iron, such as red meat, green leafy vegetables, lentils and whole grain cereals. Also eat more Vit. C rich fruits and vegetables as this will help in the absorption of iron from other foods.
Twitching eye
Magnesium deficiency. Lack of magnesium causes random muscle contractions of the eye called myokymia. Women need 270 mg of magnesium daily while men need 300 mg per day. Eat more magnesium-rich foods, such as spinach.
Multiple sclerosis. Myokymia may be a sign of serious nervous disorders, such as multiple sclerosis. If numbness, weakness, tingling of the limbs and poor coordination are present, consult a doctor.
Drooping eyelid
Eyestrain. Straining of eye muscles due to working under poor lighting and staring too long at computer screens. Stress on the eyes also inhibits absorption of B vitamins, which help strengthen eye muscles. Do eye exercises to increase blood supply to tired eyes. While working, take a break every 20 minutes and focus on an object 20 feet away for roughly 20 seconds.
Stroke. Signs of facial weakness such as drooping of the eye or mouth may indicate a stroke. If arm weakness is also noticed or the person is unable to speak or can't understand what you say, seek immediate medical attention.
Lung cancer. A tumor that is located high in the chest so that it can press on nerves affecting the eye may cause drooping eyelids. Suspect lung cancer if more obvious signs, such as unexplained weight loss and coughing up of blood are observed.
White rings
High cholesterol. When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, fatty deposits called "plaques" form a white ring around the colored part of the eye or accumulate as small waxy lumps on the skin around the eye. Have your blood cholesterol levels checked. Remove saturated fats from your diet. Exercise regularly. Keep your weight down.
MOUTH
Pale lips
Iron deficiency and poor thyroid function. Insufficient iron and the existence of thyroid disorders will result in pale pink lips. Take iron supplements and have a blood test to check thyroid function.
Heart and lung problems. When oxygen levels in the blood drop, this causes the lips to assume a pale to bluish tone. See a doctor immediately when this occurs.
Dry, sore, cracked lips
Iron deficiency. Anemia as a result of lack of iron may result in dry, sore cracks at the sides of the mouth. Take iron supplements and eat iron-rich foods.
Diabetes mellitus. High levels of blood glucose promote growth of candida, a fungal infection, which attacks the thin dermis at the corners of the mouth. Other symptoms to watch out for are weight loss, thirst and frequent urination. Have your blood glucose levels checked.
Bleeding gums
Gingivitis. Caused by plaque build-up resulting from poor oral hygiene, which will lead to bleeding gums and periodontal disease (infection of the bones that hold the teeth in place). Factors contributing to the development of gingivitis are stress, poor diet, too much intake of spicy foods and alcohol (which leads to overacidity in the mouth that can inflame gums). Brush your teeth after every meal. Floss daily. Have a regular dental check-up.
Pregnancy. Gums become softer and more prone to bleed because of hormonal changes.
Leukemia. Because blood clotting is impaired, bleeding gums is an early sign of leukemia. Other symptoms to watch out for are weakness, fatigue, weight loss, infections, excessive bruising, and pain in bones.
Mouth ulcers
Accidental trauma. Caused by brushing teeth too hard, accidentally biting the inside of the mouth, tooth rubbing against the gums, and minor burns from hot foods and drinks.
Stress. Leads to lowering of immune system.
Poor nutrition. Deficiency in Vit. B12, iron and folate can lead to mouth ulcers.
To promote quick healing, use antiseptic mouthwash. If ulcers persist for more than 2 weeks, see a dentist since it may be an early sign of oral cancer.
Small, sharp teeth
Bruxism or tooth grinding. Because of stress or poor bite (makes the jaw unable to relax into a comfortable position), tooth grinding at night leads to small sharp teeth and other health problems, such as jaw pain, headaches and muscle tension. Consult with your dentist about wearing a mouth guard at night.
Cancer. Sharp teeth, broken crowns or fillings, with time, may rub against the mouth causing tissue damage, which may lead to pre-cancerous changes.
White patches on tongue
Oral thrust. Creamy white patches on tongue and gums. Can be resolved by oral anti-fungal mouthwash or lozenges.
Cancer. Persistent white patches that are not sore and cannot be scraped away are indicative of early oral cancer. Consult with your doctor immediately.
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