You know everyone always says that your handshake says a lot about you? Well, it's not just your handshake.
Your entire hand is actually revealing a lot about not only your personality, but also your health. It's surprising how much about your health can be deciphered just through looking at your hands alone.
It's actually a good thing to keep an eye on these things, because there are some things that you may not have even known were an issue for you, but knowing it can help your doctors treat it before it gets too serious.
Here are some of the things you should be watching out for:
Sweaty Palms
Sure, you're already annoyed by your constantly sweating palms, but did you know it could actually be an indication of a medical issue?
Having sweaty palms is a common symptom of an overactive thyroid, because your metabolism is running too quickly, and is too busy burning calories.
It can also be caused by high levels of stress, which obviously can lead to a large number of medical issues that vary in severity.
Pale or White Nail Beds
If your nail beds seem to remain white all the time, or are significantly lighter than your skin tone, that often indicates that your body isn't producing enough red blood cells.
When your body doesn't have enough red blood cells, it can't oxygenate the blood properly, which can lead to anemia.
Your doctor can do a simple blood test to check, and then will recommend you increase your iron intake, but you should always check with them before starting anything on your own.
Bendy or Brittle Nails
If your nails feel like they are flexible, that definitely isn't ideal. Typically it suggests that you are lacking calcium.
Your doctor can check your calcium levels, and if it's low you'll have to add some extra calcium-rich foods or supplements into your diet.
Nail Ridges
If you find you are constantly getting little ridges on your nails, it is potentially because you aren't getting enough protein.
However, nail ridges are also common in people who are recovering from a serious illness.
Dark Streak Across Nail
If you have something like looks like a line of black marker under your nail, and you know it's not a bruise, it could be a sign of melanoma.
As soon as you notice it, you should contact your doctor because melanoma is very serious and needs to be treated as soon as possible.
Strong Grip
You know people who have a really good, strong handshake? Well, that means they have a healthy heart.
A strong handshake is often associated with a stronger heart because it means your circulation is working well enough to get the strength into the fingers.
It also is linked to a better memory and faster problem-solving skills, and many other cognitive skills that need you to think quickly.
Clubbed Fingers
If you start to notice that the ends of your fingers are starting to grow wider, it should be checked by a doctor.
It's often linked to lung disease, signalling a lack of oxygen in the blood. It is common in those with lung cancer and cystic fibrosis.
It can also indicate a serious heart condition, so it's always important to get this situation checked out.
Red Palms
Getting big red blotches on your palms can indicate some serious stuff. It's associated with palmar erthema, which affects the liver.
The blotches appear because your liver is inflamed, which increases certain hormones in your body and dilates the blood in your extremities.
'Sausage' Fingers
We all joke about how our fingers are too fat when we make a typo, but if your fingers are actually swollen, it could be caused by excess salt in your diet, PMS, or dehydration.
It also could be caused by arthritis or a slow thyroid, so if it's happening consistently you should speak with your doctor.
Fat Deposits Over The Knuckes
If you ever find that your knuckles look like they are swollen, or they start to get some hard, yellow tinted bumps on them, you should definitely seek medical attention.
The condition is usually caused by familial hypercholesterolaemia, and it indicates that someone has dangerously high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol can lead to heart attacks and other heart related diseases, so it's important to monitor it closely.
Source - The Sun / Medical Daily / Health / Reader's Digest / Prevention
