7 Signs That Your Body Is Crying For Help
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There are two dimensions to the body – the outer and the inner. They aren’t two different entities that are mutually exclusive. Something happens on the inside, the outside will know it. It is not only aware but also leaves signs for you to realize that something’s wrong deep within. These are 7 physical signs through which your body is asking you for help. You should quickly decipher the indications before you cause your body more harm than it can tolerate.
1. Bad Breath
There’s more to bad breath than just poor oral hygiene. You might be following a sincere oral regimen – brushing, flossing, rinsing, and all that – but might still have oral odor issues. However, an oral problem could be signaling a possible heart problem that is lurking inside (1). Although researchers haven’t established a link between oral and cardiac health, they do not promise that treating oral problems will treat cardiac issues or vice versa. Oral health is just a cautionary sign that is telling you that there’s some trouble inside the body. Apart from heart diseases, stomach ulcers and inflamed tonsils also cause bad breath. One way to treat a malodorous mouth is to consume probiotic foods to reduce the population of harmful bacteria in the mouth. However, if the odor exists for longer periods, go to the GP and find out if there’s something that needs medical intervention.
2. Cramps
Midnight cramps are worse than nightmares, don’t you think so? If you are experiencing frequent muscle cramps in the night or even in the day, it’s time you changed your lifestyle. First of all, a cramp signifies that you could be severely dehydrated or there is a mineral deficiency in the body. It is either potassium, magnesium, or calcium that you are depriving your body of, and the poor body is protesting in the form of cramps (2). Sometimes, a medicine that you are taking could also cause muscle cramps. Quite often, when you have suddenly increased your physical activity or your workout pace and intensity, don’t be surprised if your sleep is disturbed now and then because of a muscle cramp. Make sure you are sufficiently hydrated and gradually increase your exercise duration to avoid cramps. Also, make sure you do not consume too much alcohol and get your thyroid hormone levels tested, for, alcoholism and hypothyroidism are some of the common causes of cramps.
3. Chapped Lips
The first thing that comes to our mind when our lips get dry and flaky is that we are thirsty. Obviously, it is a sign of dehydration. But, that is not all. Chronic lip chapping can mean that you are not giving enough protection to your lips. The lips are more sensitive than the rest of the face and SHOULD be protected from the UV rays of the sun. Also, check the lip cosmetics you use, for, metals like nickel and cobalt that are used in certain cosmetics cause allergies, which lead to chapped and flaky lips. Stick to pure cosmetic grade beeswax to retain the moisture of your lips and make sure you drink enough water before the lips begin to wrinkle out and yearn for some hydration.
4. Swollen Feet
Swollen feet, more often than not, are an indication of many things that are not going quite right in your body. If your diet has too much sodium and carbohydrates, it could be causing your ankles and feet to swell. Do you feel that your ankles are swelling up like balloons? This is because of the accumulation of fluid in the feet. Salt tends to promote water retention, and it is this retention that causes the fluid accumulation, leading to swollen feet. In rare cases, chronic swelling of feet can also be attributed to liver, kidney or cardiac abnormalities. Check with the doctor if you feel your swelling is anomalous and you don’t seem to find the cause behind it.
5. Wrinkles
Anything from dehydration and not using a sunscreen to bad lifestyle choices can cause premature wrinkling of the skin. Wrinkles are inevitable and natural as you age, but if you find far too many wrinkles than you are supposed to have at your age, pause and analyze your diet. Are you consuming too much sugar, processed food, and alcohol? They are all causing those lines and folds to appear earlier than they are supposed to. Smoking and drinking should be moderated. Make sure you have sound, undisturbed sleep to keep stress at bay if you begin to find premature wrinkles on the skin, particularly around the eyes.
6. Food Cravings
Craving. It is a one-word substitute for a full-length horror novel. Honestly, this means that you are giving away the control of your health to your mind and body rather than taking charge yourself. The two primary reasons for food cravings are a) association driven and b) physiological need driven. In either of the cases, the body feels deprived and is compensating for the loss.
In the former case, you are the culprit, where you tend to associate certain foods with certain moods. The association becomes so strong that your mind is convinced that every time you have that mood, your body requires that particular food. For instance, you might associate a candy with feeling sad. In the latter case, the craving is driven by nutritional deficiencies. In that case, make sure you include vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, and dietary fiber in your diet and exclude trans and saturated fats to stop your body from craving for food (3). If your food cravings are more psychological in nature, consider talking to a doctor. You might need to keep a check on your stress, anxiety, and mood-oriented eating patterns.
7. Fatigue
If you are constantly on the bed and seem unable to get up or get back to work, and if this situation hasn’t changed in the last six months, it could be a case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Having to explain how your fatigue is debilitating for you is more tiring than tolerating the fatigue itself. No one understands what you mean by “I am tired all the time.” They mistake this to you just getting tired or that you are feigning sickness and disregard your struggle. However, doctors know what you mean. This is exactly why you should seek medical help instead of seeking approval from family members. Also, if your fatigue is not that severe and chronic yet disturbing, it could be signs of a thyroid imbalance, anemia, diabetes, or even something like depression and stress. Find the triggers of your fatigue by keeping track of your feelings. Also, do not confine the diagnosis of fatigue to your opinions and observations. This record will only help the doctor to understand your case better.
Be it for food cravings or mood disturbances, maintaining a health journal is always appreciated. This will make you conscious of how your health has been over the years and make it easier to identify the roots of chronic health issues that are stopping you from living your life to the fullest. Do you have a health journal? If you don’t, start one today! Comment below and tell me how this article has helped you.
