Doctor shares ten subtle body signs that need a medical check

A California-based gastroenterologist has shared ten unusual body signs that people often ignore but actually need a medical check. Dr Saurabh Sethi, who trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford, posted the list on Instagram.

Body Signs

Craving ice can point to a low iron level, even before a person feels very tired, and a blood count or ferritin check can help. Inward-curving nails can also show low iron. Restless legs during sleep may link to low iron stores as well. Dark and velvety skin around the neck and armpits can mean insulin resistance, meaning scrubbing the skin will not fix it and a blood sugar test may be needed. Persistent tingling in the hands or feet can point to a vitamin B12 deficiency, though other causes are possible. A sore and red tongue might not just come from spicy food, but can link to iron, B12, or folate deficiency. Greasy, foul-smelling stool that is hard to flush can mean the body has trouble absorbing fat, showing the pancreas needs a check.

Urgent Care Signs

Finding food hard to swallow consistently should not be ignored by washing it down, and anyone who cannot swallow saliva needs emergency care. Skin or urine color changes like jaundice, dark urine, or pale stools need urgent medical assessment. Tarry or dark stools can show bleeding in the digestive tract, and when joined by dizziness or fainting, require emergency care.