Page 25 - Florida Sentinel 5-12-17

Health
A Look in the Mirror
You’re really familiar with the face staring back at you. But a closer peek may show clues about your health -- if you know what to look for.
Yellowish Skin and Eyes
This is jaundice.
It’s when you have too
much of a waste prod-
uct your body makes
when it breaks down
red blood cells. It’s common -- and usually harmless -- in babies born before 38 weeks, be- cause their livers aren’t mature enough to work the way they should. In adults, the yellowing can mean more serious conditions, like viral infec- tions (hepatitis, mononucleosis); problems with your liver, gallbladder, or pancreas; or alcohol abuse.
Hair in Unusual Places
It could just be a hair
growing where you don’t
want it -- that can hap-
pen to men as they get
older around the ears
and eyebrows, and to
women around the chin. In younger women, facial hair can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome, a con- dition that can make it harder to get pregnant.
Cracked Lips
Everyone gets dry
or cracked lips from
time to time, espe-
cially in winter. Balms
can help protect them
and keep them moist.
But sometimes, dry
lips are a sign of a
health issue, like dehydration -- when your body doesn’t have enough water. They can also be an al- lergic reaction or response to a drug, such as steroids.
Butterfly Rash
Most rashes aren’t
serious and get better
on their own, but this
one is unusual. It cov-
ers both cheeks in the
shape of a butterfly,
and it’s a common sign
of lupus. That’s a disease that makes your immune system attack your own tissues and organs. You may also have fever, achy and stiff joints, and fingers that turn blue in the cold. See your doctor if you have an unexplained rash, especially if it comes along with those other symptoms.
Sores
Ones around your lips and
mouth are most likely cold
sores, which are caused by
the type 1 herpes virus. (This
isn’t the herpes virus that’s
spread through sex.) Once
you get the virus, it stays
withyou. Sores may break out
when you’re sick, anxious, or overtired, or you’ve been out in the sun too long. They usually go away on their own, but if you have big or frequent outbreaks, your doctor may suggest med- ication.
Facial Paralysis With Other Symptoms
If the paralysis happens
in seconds, is just in the lower
part of your face, or you also
have numbness or weakness
in your arms or legs, slurred
speech, double vision, dizzi-
ness, or trouble swallowing, get medical help right away. You may be having a stroke. That’s when the blood flow is cut off to part of your brain because a blood vessel bursts or gets blocked.
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 13-A