Your nails are not just a canvas space for manicures and polish. They are body's natural indicator to your overall health, providing vital signals about possible underlying medical conditions. An alteration in nail color, texture, or shape may be a minor issue, yet at times it may portray serious illness. From deficiencies to illnesses, your toenails and fingernails may be sending you important messages.

Around 30% of Americans manage stress by biting their nails. Besides scratching itches, nails reveal health insights. Composed of keratin, the same protein as hair and skin, nails protect sensitive nerve endings. Since keratin supports various bodily functions, vitamin deficiencies or diseases often cause noticeable changes in nail color, strength, or shape.

Your nails hold the key to important health information, and they can help identify diseases at an early stage. If you observe sudden changes in your nails, visit a dermatologist or healthcare professional. Healthy nails are not merely a matter of appearance—they reflect your health.

Here's what you should know about 15 nail changes and what they might indicate for your health.

1. Horizontal White Streaks- Sign of Nutrient Deficiency or Organ Damage

If you observe horizontal white bands (Muehrcke's bands) across your nails, you may be experiencing protein or zinc deficiency. Such bands imply that your nails did not receive necessary nutrients or sufficient blood supply while growing. Sometimes, they are a sign of more severe ailments like kidney disease or liver dysfunction. If you observe them, see a doctor to exclude severe deficiencies or organ problems.

2. Brown Vertical Stripe- Possible Indication for Melanoma

A dark or brown stripe from the cuticle to the end of the nail may be a sign of subungual melanoma, which is skin cancer. Pigmentation change due to hormonal fluctuations or medications is possible, but broadening, darkening, or extension of the stripe requires urgent medical consult.

3. Ridges on Nails- Aging or an Indicator of Systemic Disease?

Vertical ridges on nails are normal with aging and are generally harmless. Deep horizontal ridges, or Beau's lines, signify an interruption in nail growth. These ridges may be due to serious illness, high fever, major surgery, or even chemotherapy. Sudden ridges you see may be related to recent serious health stress.

4. Horizontal Depression on the Thumb- Habit Tic Deformity

A washboard-shaped horizontal depression on the thumbnail is usually caused by habit tic deformity, a habit resulting from repeated picking or rubbing of the index finger over the cuticle. Although not necessarily a health issue, discontinuing the habit will enhance nail health and appearance.

5. Brittle Nails- Associated with Malnutrition and Thyroid Disease

If your nails are brittle, splitting, or breaking, you might have brittle nail syndrome (onychoschizia). Brittle nail syndrome is usually caused by a lack of nutrients, dehydration, or overuse of chemicals such as acetone. Brittle nails may also be an early sign of iron deficiency anemia or thyroid disease. A diet with adequate nutrients and hydration can strengthen your nails.

6. Pitted Nails- Sign of Psoriasis or Alopecia Areata

Small pits or dents in the nails can be a sign of psoriasis, a long-term skin condition. Pitting is also associated with psoriatic arthritis and alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition leading to hair loss. If you notice pitted nails, see a dermatologist to find out the cause and how to treat it.

7. Pale Nails- Anemia, Heart Disease, or Liver Problems?

Pale or ghostly nails can be a sign of anemia, a condition in which your red blood cell count is low. Extreme paleness may also be related to heart disease or liver disease. In association with fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath, medical assessment is required.

8. Blue Nails- Deficiency of oxygen and circulatory problems

A blue color to the nails tends to indicate insufficient oxygen, possibly resulting from respiratory disease, heart disease, or Raynaud's disease. If your nails consistently have a blue or purplish color, consult a doctor to determine oxygen levels and circulatory health.

9. White Spots- Trauma or Fungal Infections

White spots on the nails (punctate leukonychia) are usually harmless and occur from slight trauma. Persistent or multiple white spots might, however, suggest an infection or hypersensitivity reaction to nail cosmetics.

10. Red Streaks- Indicator of Infection of the Heart Valve

Red streaks or splinter hemorrhages beneath the nails can indicate endocarditis, an infection of the heart's inner lining. If you have other symptoms like fever, weight loss, or muscle pain, get immediate medical care.

11. Yellow Nails- Sign of Diabetes, Fungal Infection, or Lung Disease

Yellow, thickened nails that grow slowly are a hallmark of yellow nail syndrome, and they may accompany respiratory problems. Yellow discoloration can result from smoking, fungal infection, thyroid disease, or diabetes, too. Resolving the causative factor often improves nail appearance.

12. Clubbing of Nails- Warning Sign for Lung or Liver Disease

When nails get rounded and bulbous at the tips, it is referred to as clubbing. Clubbing is usually linked with chronic lung disease, gastrointestinal diseases, or liver cirrhosis. If your nails are clubbed, visit a doctor to check for underlying conditions.

13. Severely Bitten Nails- Clue to Anxiety or OCD

Prolonged nail-biting has the potential to disfigure nails and the skin around them, leaving them susceptible to infection. On occasion, hyper-nail biting is one of the signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Avoiding the precipitating stimuli and learning stress-coping methods will help individuals discontinue this behavior.

14. Dull Nails- Indicator of Sleep Deprivation

Lack of sleep can impact your nail health, making them weak and lifeless. If you’re consistently getting less than the recommended eight hours of sleep per night, your nails may be showing the toll of fatigue.

15. Nail Separation (Onycholysis)- Symptom of Thyroid Disease or Allergies

If your nails start lifting from the nail bed, it may be due to onycholysis. This condition is commonly associated with thyroid disorders, fungal infections, lupus, or allergic reactions to nail products. Addressing the root cause is essential for recovery.

How to Maintain Healthy Nails

To keep your nails strong and healthy, follow these essential tips:

• Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, lean proteins, and iron.
• Hydrate your nails with regular moisturizing to keep them from becoming brittle.
• Trim nails when they are soft and don't cut too far down.
• Select non-toxic polishes and minimize use of harsh removers.
• Replace stress-relief activities with stress balls in order to break nail-biting habits.
• Smoking nicotine stains nails and damages overall nail condition.

Watch your nails, and they may be able to catch a possible health problem before it is too late.

“Heartbreaks happen to many people, it’s ok” or “You’ll move on, it’s a heartbreak, not the end of the world” and similar phrases as these are ones we have all heard. However, how much truth these sentences hold has been questioned. Many people experience mental health issues after experiencing heartbreak like depressive episodes and anxiety symptoms. However, did you know that heartbreaks can actually affect your heart?

The pain associated with heartbreaks is often thought of as psychological, but it can actually weaken the ability to pump blood effectively. This is a condition known as the broken heart syndrome, or Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

According to the Harvard Health Publishing, it is a sudden change in the shape of the heart's left ventricle, which is its primary pumping chamber. This is a concerning issue as it weakens the heart’s ability to effectively circulate blood throughout the body.

The British Heart Foundation explains that some people, like women over 50s are more susceptible to getting this issue. It could also be an issue if you have other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.

Symptoms Mimic A Heart Attack

Harvard explains that most cases of this syndrome occur in the age frames of 58 to 75. 5% of these women thought they were having a heart attack. The symptoms can indeed be very similar to those of a heart attack and may include:

• Sudden, intense chest pain
• A feeling of pressure or heaviness in the chest
• Difficulty breathing
• Heart palpitations (irregular or forceful heartbeat)
• Feeling faint or lightheaded
• Nausea

Can Stress Cause This Issue?

While the precise cause of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy remains under investigation, medical experts believe that a sudden surge of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, triggered by intense emotional distress, plays a significant role. The syndrome often occurs following significant emotional events like bereavement, serious illness, or trauma, which is why it's commonly referred to as 'broken heart syndrome'. But that is not the only reason why you may experience this, other causes may include sudden drop in blood pressure, severe pain, asthma attack, intense fear, serious illnesses or surgery, etc.

When doctors are diagnosing this syndrome, they look for things like, no evidence of blockages in the angiogram, which helps them rule out heart attacks, they also use imaging techniques like echocardiogram, that will show abnormalities in the left ventricle.

Fortunately, it is temporary. The condition is typically managed with medications aimed at reducing the strain on the heart and minimizing the risk of complications. These medications can include:

• Diuretics (to reduce fluid buildup)
• Beta blockers (to slow heart rate and lower blood pressure)
• Blood thinners (to prevent blood clots)

Can You Prevent Broken Heart Syndrome?

While most people recover fully, approximately one in ten patients may experience a recurrence of broken heart syndrome. Additionally, some individuals may have persistent symptoms or lasting changes to the shape of their heart, potentially requiring long-term medication.

Once a person has fully recovered from broken heart syndrome, it is advisable to focus on managing stress levels, adopting a healthy diet, and maintaining regular physical activity to help prevent future episodes.

Misleading signs are often worse than no signs, you may be working on the symptoms when the disease is already doing damage to your body. When something goes wrong in our body, most of us can catch onto it. However, we almost always tackle the most obvious issue, not knowing there could be something worse going on.

A similar issue happens to a UK-based woman, named, Loise who was suffering with high blood pressure and dismissed it as a symptom of menopause. Soon she found out that it was in fact not menopause that she was going through, rather she had been battling kidney cancer and did not know about it.

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide with nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. Cancer is a generic term for many different diseases that affect parts of one's body, according to the World Health Organization. Kidney cancer is the sixth most common cancer in UK adults and 14th most common cancer worldwide. According to Cancer Research UK, the average number of cases reported for kidney cancer in 2017-19 UK was 13,834. It is also more common in the elderly, aged 80-84, and there has been a 92% rise in the incidence rates of kidney cancer since the 1990s.

Misleading Symptoms and Important Warnings

In the Kidney Cancer UK's TikTok page, Louise's highlights the critical importance of recognizing that not all symptoms in middle-aged women are solely due to hormonal changes. In her case, the elevated blood pressure was an indicator of an aggressive form of kidney cancer.

Often, kidney cancer doesn't manifest with clear and distinct symptoms, and it is frequently discovered incidentally during tests conducted for other health concerns. Louise emphasized the challenge of diagnosis, "Symptoms are unfortunately vague, especially for women, as it includes high blood pressure, night sweats, blood in your urine and flank pain. GPs often relate these to menopause symptoms." She strongly advises everyone to "regularly scan your body" and to pay attention to persistent discomfort. She urged, "How long have those niggling pains been there? Get them checked - always better to be safe than sorry!"

What To Expect After The Diagnosis?

Reflecting on her own diagnosis, Louise recounted having "high blood pressure but unseen blood" in her urine. She explained how her cancer was detected, "I was lucky routine bloods picked up an issue with my liver, prompting ultrasound."

Her treatment journey involved significant surgical interventions, "I have now had two major surgeries to remove cancer and my kidney within the last 15 months. I'm three weeks post open surgery and recovering well." The outcome of recent tests brought encouraging news, "The news that all the biopsies came back as not cancer has been amazing."

Currently, Louise is managing side effects from her immunotherapy treatment. Looking ahead, Louise remains realistic but hopeful "My cancer was the most aggressive at grade 4 so there will always be a high chance of it coming back, but medications and research is changing all the time and I have faith that the surveillance scans will help us nip anything untoward in the bud!"

Kidney Cancer Symptoms You Should Look Out For

While kidney cancer often progresses without noticeable symptoms, the NHS indicates that when they do appear, they can include:

• Blood in your pee
• A lump or swelling in your back, under your ribs, or in your neck
• Persistent pain between your ribs and waist
• Unexplained loss of appetite or weight loss
• Persistent fatigue or lack of energy
• A recurring high temperature
• Excessive sweating, particularly at night

Throughout the first week of April, the state of Kentucky witnessed flooding, due to heavy rains, specifically in the Franklin County. The reason being, it is located on the Kentucky River for over 200 years. While such natural disasters can cause distress in terms of physical safety, expert also reveals that such natural disasters could impact one's mental health too.

Natural disasters like Kentucky's recent flooding can have serious impacts on victim's mental health, reveals Christal Badour, associate professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky and a trauma recovery research.

As reported in Weku NPR, the UK psychologist explains that reactions to traumatic events typically fall into short-term and long-term symptoms. These include people feeling overwhelmed, anxiety, and difficulty communicating. While most people eventually recover without lasting effects, some may struggle for a longer duration.

These long-term issues include depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Badour also notes that people who already had a mental health difficulty before the natural disaster could also further feel isolated. Along with that, individuals with fewer financial resources could be at more risk of long-term problems.

Are These Long-term Symptoms Common?

According to a report from Clinical Psychology Review, 20 to 80% of people will experience long-term symptoms after a disaster. These rates could vary depending on the type of disaster one faces. PTSD symptoms often improve after the first year, however, depression and anxiety are more likely to linger.

What Do Other Experts Say?

There have been previous studies too that confirm the same. As per a 2024 study, titled Impact of Natural Disasters on Mental Health: Evidence and Implications, by Eamin Z Heanoy and Norman R Brown, notes: "Natural disasters are large-scale catastrophic events, and they are increasing in frequency and severity. Converging evidence indicates that the mental health consequences of disasters are extensive and are often associated with trauma and the disruption of personal and socioeconomic factors in people’s lives."

However, the study also notes that although most individuals who experience disaster-related traumatic events do not develop mental illnesses, some could experience adverse psychological effects of the disaster.

Another expert, Nomy Levy-Carric, MD, MPhil, writes for Mass General Brigham, which is an institute dedicated to serving the community and enhancing patient care, teaching, and research, notes that natural disaster can indeed leave a lasting impact on individuals, families, and often an entire community.

Levy Carrick notes: "A person’s reaction depends on many factors, including their past experiences, what is happening in their life at that moment, the nature of their exposure, and the support available to them as they rebuild. The sudden loss of control and uncertainty can be overwhelming, making it harder to cope in both the short and long term."

What Are The Types Of Natural Disasters?

• Hurricanes and tropical storms
• Earthquakes
• Tornadoes
• Wildfire
• Floods
• Blizzards and winter storms
• Drought and extreme heat
• Landslides and mudslides

The doctor notes the Psychological First Aid or PFA provides a structured way to support emotional recovery immediately after a disaster.

However, notes Badour, there is still a major gap in treatment. Most disaster relief services only last up to one year.

“After that year has passed, a lot of people feel like there's no one there to help them, especially if you're in a community that was already lacking in mental health support and resources,” she said.