There is a disease that can be recognized by looking at any changes in the fingers and nails. They can reveal a lot about your health
Our nails and fingers and toes tell a lot about the health of our body. And observing them carefully evolution over time it is even possible to identify any signs that could be linked to the appearance of some disease. One of these usually occurs in old age but is characterized by the fact that the symptoms do not always appear all at once and for this reason the nails, especially those of the feet, can represent a first alarm bell, a true symptom. just that should bring whoever notices it to go to the doctor to ask for a consultation.
Whether they are short or long, thick or thin, nails reveal in fact, many secrets about the health of each of us, especially when changes to their consistency, thickness or color are detected, signals that indicate a possible disease well in advance, before other symptoms appear.
Changes to our nails: when to worry
From vitamin deficiencies ad some types of cancer right up to the first signs of high blood sugar, nails hold many clues. When you suffer from a chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes, which often occurs in old age, it is even more important to pay close attention to nail health. Symptoms ignored and mismanagement of the condition could lead to devastating health risks. Changes in the color and thickness of the nails, on the other hand, could warn you of the risks you run well in advance.
What is type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes it is a chronic medical condition in which sugar levels build up in the bloodstream. Typically, the hormone insulin helps move glucose from the blood to the cells, where it is used for energy. However, with type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells are unable to respond to insulin as they should.
In the later stages of the condition, the body may also not produce enough insulin. Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can lead to chronically high blood glucose levels, which can cause several symptoms and potentially lead to serious complications.
The signs and symptoms of the nails
In some people with diabetes fingernails take on a yellowish hue. Often this coloring has to do with the composition of the sugar and its effect on the collagen in the nails. Yellowing of this type is not harmful and does not need to be treated but in some cases it can be a sign of a nail infection which, in that case, will become even more yellow and more fragile.
“Many common diseases can present themselves through the appearance of the nails,” he added Dr. Elizabeth Salada. “You can always be aware of any changes in nail shape, thickness, texture by looking at the surface, the color of the nail and if the nail is separated by the nail bed. A slight redness at the bottom of the nail is sometimes also a symptom of diabetes“. Nail infections with yeast or fungus are common among people with diabetes and usually affect the toenails. Greenish-yellow-white discoloration and thickening at the tip of the nail also spreads gradually to involve the whole nail which can be thick and brittle.
The other symptoms of type 2 diabetes
I early symptoms diabetes include:
Constant hunger
Lack of energy
Fatigue
Excessive thirst
Frequent urination
Blurred vision
Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet.