Page 23 - Florida Sentinel 1-6-17 Online Edition

Health
YELLOW NAILS
One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infec- tion. As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and nails may thicken and crumble. In rare cases, yellow nails can indicate a more serious condition such as severe thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes or psoriasis.
The classic symptoms of heart attack include a feeling of extreme pressure on the chest and chest pain, including a squeezing or full sensation. This can be accompanied by pain in one or both arms, jaw, back, stomach, or neck.
Other symptoms of heart attack include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, and a feeling of breaking out in a cold sweat.
Although chest pain and pressure are the characteristic symptoms, women are somewhat more likely than men to experience heart attack that does not occur in this typical fashion. Instead, some women with heart attacks may ex- perience more of the
other symptoms, like
* lightheadedness, * nausea,
* extreme fatigue, * fainting,
* dizziness, or
* pressure in the upper back.
PALE NAILS
Very pale nails can sometimes be a sign of serious illness, such as:
* Anemia
* Congestive
heart failure * Liver disease * Malnutrition
WHITE NAILS
If the nails are mostly white with darker rims, this can indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis.
RIPPLED NAILS
If the nail
surface is
rippled or
pitted, this
may be an
early sign of
psoriasis or
inflammatory arthritis. Discoloration of the nail is common; the skin under the nail can seem reddish-brown.
Did you know your nails can re- veal clues to your overall health?
A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of dis- ease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.
Cervical Health Awareness Month, and is a chance to raise awareness about how women can protect themselves from HPV (human papillomavirus) and cervical cancer.
HPV is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity. It’s also a major cause of cervical cancer.
About 79 million Americans currently have HPV. Many people with HPV don’t know they are infected. And each year, more than 11,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine (shots) can prevent HPV.
Cervical cancer can often be prevented with regular screening tests (called Pap tests) and follow-up care.
Cervical cancer screenings can help detect abnormal (changed) cells early, before they turn into cancer. Most deaths from cervi- cal cancer could be pre- vented by regular Pap tests and follow-up
care.
•Get a well-woman visit this year.
•Most insurance plans must cover well- woman visits and cervi- cal cancer screening. This means that, de- pending on their insur- ance, women can get these services at no cost to them.
BLUISH NAILS
Nails with a
bluish tint can
mean the body
isn't getting
enough oxy-
gen. This
could indicate
a lung problem, such as emphysema. Some heart problems can be associated with bluish nails.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-B