Health Tips for November 4

Health Tip: Nails Can Reveal Your Health

It's important to pay attention to changes in your nails, as they can indicate an underlying health problem. The American Academy of Dermatology says the condition of your nails could indicate possible: Liver disease, which may be characterized by whitening of the nails. Kidney disease, if half of each nail is pink and the other half white. Heart condition, if the nail beds are red. Lung disease, which could be characterized by thick, yellow nails that grow slowly. Anemia, if nail beds are pale. Diabetes, if nails have a yellow tint that look blush at the base. Health Tip: Unexplained Swelling If you have swelling of the ankles, legs or feet, the cause isn't always obvious. Here, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, are some common causes of unusual swelling in these areas: Standing up for long periods. A side effect of your menstrual period. Being overweight. Being pregnant. Prolonged plane or car travel. An injury to the foot or ankle. Certain medications. Swelling in the legs may also indicate serious conditions including failure of the heart, kidneys, or liver. So if you have unexplained swelling, see your doctor without delay.