What’s your face saying?.............

Face to face, they say, is better than hundred letters. Again, among fashionistas, certain beauty routine is called “The face that talks.” This is because by the time the beautician is done with you, whoever catches a glimpse of your face can readily deduce the message you have for him or her!

While this is true in the area of communication among humans, it is also apt in the area of diagnosing various health conditions that man may experience — from Hepatitis A, B and C, to other health issues that can damage the tissues and the organs.

According to American TV physician simply known as Dr. Oz, certain features on a person’s face can be indicative of a health condition and he advises people to be diligent in knowing what each facial characteristic means and how to go about it medically.

Oz contends that each health condition expresses itself with symptoms that are visible on your face, and knowing what they mean may save you not only tonnes of money that would have been necessary to treat certain health problems if they are not detected early enough; it may also make a difference between whether or not you live.

High cholesterol

So, here we go. Oz says if you have a grayish-white ring around your cornea, it is actually a deposit of lipids (fats) around the edge of the cornea and it symptomatic of high cholesterol.

When your cholesterol level is so high as to now show on your face, then you have to do something cogent, and urgently too. Experts say the only solution is to control it and keep it at normal level for life to go on as scheduled.

General practitioner, Dr. Cynthia Okereke, says too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to cardiovascular disease — Number One cause of death in some advanced countries, including the United States.

She says lowering the cholesterol level can reduce an individual’s risk of heart disease and stroke. “The best known ways are to make diet and lifestyle changes,” she counsels. “This includes eating a heart-healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding smoking or giving it up if you are a smoker.”

Okereke says those with life-threatening cholesterol levels may be placed on medications by their doctors.

She warns against the consumption of foods high in saturated and Trans fats, because they cause the liver to pump out much more cholesterol into the bloodstream than the body needs. “This excess cholesterol is what builds up on artery walls, blocking blood flow and potentially leading to a heart attack or stroke,” she says.

Foods to eat include salmon, tuna, assorted fruits in their natural state, non-fat milk, lean beef/chicken, oats, beans, walnuts, garlic, etc.

The ones to avoid or take in moderation when you feel like include egg yolks, organ meat (such as liver), milk fat, and shellfish (shrimp and lobster), all of which nutritionists say are high in cholesterol.

Allergies

Now, pull down your eyelid and look inside; if there are cobblestone-like bumps present, it means you’re probably allergic to something. “Inflammation of the eye or puffiness of the lids is often due to allergies or sinus problems,” Oz says.

Experts say allergies are caused when our immune system is compromised; while individual reactions to the environment, foods, perfumes, etc., determine what a person is sensitive to.

They say that developing an allergy starts in the gene, and that children with one allergic parent have a 33 per cent chance of developing allergies; while for those with two allergic parents, it’s a 70 per cent chance.

Okereke says some people end up outgrowing their allergies, while others may need medical attention, depending on the severity.

She urges those who have allergy not to ignore it, as the symptoms rarely go away on their own. She warns that poorly managed allergies can lead to more severe symptoms like ear and sinus infections, or, in extreme cases, asthma.

Angular chelitis

Have you seen children or adults with deep cracks in the corners of the mouth? That is an evidence of Vitamin B deficiency, Oz says. The condition is medically referred to as Angular cheilitis, and it could lead to a sore tongue and sores in the mouth.

In severe cases, Okereke says, the cracks can bleed when the mouth is opened and shallow ulcers or a crust may form on the site. The condition is caused primarily by nutritional deficiency, fungal/bacterial infections, she says.

Nutritionists recommend eating iron and zinc-rich foods like dark, leafy green vegetables, beans, eggs, nuts, cashew, fortified cereals, crab meat, beef, poultry, fish, and taking a multivitamin.  Again, while the healing lasts, Okereke says, don’t take hot beverages like tea of coffee, as they may add to its burning sensation.

Heart disease

Another health issue that the face can reveal is risk of heart disease. This is elucidated by a vertical crease in the ear lobe, which, Oz says, may signal a 33 per cent increase in your risk for heart disease. Although the connection is still unclear, experts believe that some of the genetic factors that influence earlobe creases may also play a role in heart disease.

In order to keep your heart healthy, doctors advise against smoking, they encourage regular physical exercise, eating foods rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products; maintaining healthy weight and getting regular health screenings for cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure.

Liver issue

The eyes are regarded as the window to the liver. Doctors warn that if you notice any change in your eye colour, it’s a sign that something is wrong — especially if the colour is yellow. “If your eyes become yellow, go see a doctor,” Okereke advises. In fact, webmd says there are 28 conditions associated with red (bloodshot) eyes and yellow eyes alone!

Breathing problem

Your lungs are connected to your cheeks. Experts warn that if you notice changes on the hollowing of your cheeks, it could be a sign that you’re not breathing properly. See a specialist.