AM I HEALTHY?

In this article, we will discuss the question”Am I healthy,” we will present the signs of healthiness and unhealthiness, which can help you to figure out if you are healthy or not.

10 Signs of healthiness

Some signs can help you to understand if you are healthy or not.

Here are 10 of them:

You have thick hair and healthy nails

“Thick abundant hair and firm, fast-growing nails tend to be a sign of good health. The opposite: thinning hair, brittle, or cracked nails, are often a sign of marked nutritional deficiencies such as lack of iron, vitamin D, and nutrients,” says Arielle Levitan, MD, founder of Vous Vitamin, LLC. 

“Your nails are a perfect reflection of your health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says dermatologist Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD, from Cleveland Clinic. 

Fresh breath

“The smell of your breath is a large clue into your overall health since your immune function takes place in the gut. Fresh breath is a good indication that your gut health is balanced. For example, the overly fruity-smelling breath can be an indication of diabetes, the foul-smelling breath can be associated with reflux, a fishy smell could mean kidney failure, a sour mouth can be a sign of sleep apnea,” said David Borenstein, MD, founder of Manhattan Integrative Medicine in New York.

Healthy teeth and gums

Strong teeth and healthy gums are essential signs of healthiness.

So, you should take care of your oral hygiene.

“One sign that your body is doing well is healthy gum tissue. That means your gums are not inflamed, they do not bleed easily, and they have normal texture and color. Normal gum tissue is firm, pyramidal between teeth, and uniformly follows the curved edge of the tooth.” —Andrew Fried, DMD, MSD, periodontist. 

Skin looks healthy

“The skin is, in many respects, the largest organ of the human body. The state of skin of the face and the neck not only reflects the person’s genetic characteristics and health but also reflects the impact of environmental factors. The color of skin should be well vascularized and even-toned,” says Fred G. Fedok, MD, President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Full-looking face

“The fullness or roundness of the facial soft tissues is generally a youthful and healthy sign. In contrast, in illness, dehydration, and undernourishment, the skin can lose its natural vigor and look sunken and sagging,” says Dr. Fedok.

Clear eyes

“As facial plastic surgeons, we are always noticing minute details about a person’s face. We spend considerable time speaking to patients, making eye contact, and watching the movement of their facial muscles. The eyes can reveal many things about the general health and psychological state of an individual—whether they are well rested or tired, bright and energetic, or sad and depressed. The eyes may be white and clear or bloodshot or yellow, indicating the possibility of minor or serious illness. The animation of one’s face while answering questions may similarly reflect aspects of their physical as well as psychological health,” says Dr. Fedok. 

Eating healthy food

“Do you eat enough vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and dietary calcium sources? It is my quick screening to look at the quality of someone’s diet. Get enough of these foods, and I can almost guarantee your diet is good. Why? Because these are the foods, most people are likely to be missing. Only about 3 percent of the population gets enough of them,” says Ayoob.

Having breaks

“With everything the average American has on his or her plate these days, it is easy to burn out. Sometimes we get so focused on checking off the items on our to-do list, we forget to check in with ourselves and do not even realize when our stress levels are rising. Suddenly, you are stressed out, sick, or, worst of all, in the hospital, and you do not even know how it got so bad. Those that regularly take time out for themselves are the ones that stay healthy,” says Sarah Schewitz, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist. 

Getting a restful sleep

“This is one of the most important signs of your health. It reflects normal blood pressure, absence of obstructive breathing, and absence of gastroesophageal reflux disorder—GERD. It also indicates normal breathing at night, which is crucial for long-term health,” says Murray Grossan MD, otolaryngologist, Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

Getting about one cold per year

“This reflects a normal immune system. In a bad year, you might get a couple of colds, but more than that might indicate sinus disease or a respiratory allergy,” says Dr. Grossan.

10 Signs of Unhealthiness

Ten signs that signal about unhealthiness are:

Bad skin

If your skin quality is not good, you can get more significant health problems.

Insomnia 

Having difficulties to sleep can be because of different reasons, such as using too much caffeine during the second half of the day, not spending enough energy during the day, or something else.

However, insomnia talks about some health problems.

Bad nails

The condition of your nails can also inform you about health problems.

If your nails are discolored or have bumps, it is a sign to pay attention to your health condition.

Icy feet and hands

Having icy cold feet and hands can signal about cardiovascular problems.

Bad breath

If you do not take care of your oral hygiene or if you have a bad breath, it can mean that you have inflammation of the gums (gingivitis).

Unclear eyes

In the case, your eyes are not bright, or if they are yellow, it can be a sign that you have got jaundice.

Going gray at an early age

If you notice gray hair, you should not panic because it can be connected to your genes.

However, you can talk to your doctor.

Swelling neck

You should not ignore a swollen neck, because it can be a sign of an overactive thyroid.

Swelling legs

If your legs are swelling, it can mean that you have health problems connected to the kidney, heart, or thyroid.

Cracked lips

What should I do to be healthy?

To be healthy and to have a healthy body, you should:

• Avoid junk food,
• Eat more fruits, vegetables, and nuts,
• Eat oily fish,
• Get enough sleep,
• Drink enough water,
• Do regular exercises to not overweight,
• Minimize sugar intake,
• Not use drugs, not smoke, and not abuse alcohol,
• Do not skip breakfast.

   

 

Recommended books and sources

1. Healthy Brain, Happy Life: A Personal Program to Activate Your Brain and Do Everything Better
2. Healthy Habits Every Day: How To Change Your Lifestyle In 21 Days
3. HFNE “Depression”
4. HFNE “I Hate My Body”
5. Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Do Not Have To

Conclusion 

Basing on the information given in this article, you can figure out if you live a more healthy life or unhealthy, and you can learn to be more attentive to your body signals about possible health problems.

You can use the given tips to be healthy, but in case you suspect more significant health problems, you should talk to your doctor.

Please feel free to comment on the content or ask any questions in the comments section below.

References

1. Signs that You are Healthy (by Doctors)
2. Signs You are not that Healthy
3. Warning Signs that You are Unhealthy