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4 signs your body is trying to tell you something

<p>Have you noticed any odd changes in your body? Perhaps your nails have become more brittle lately, or you’ve started to get cracks on the corners of your mouth. These small signs might seem insignificant, but they are your body’s way of signalling that a change has occurred.</p> <p>Here are some of the key signs that your body is trying to tell you something:</p> <p><strong>Burping and indigestion</strong></p> <p>Find yourself burping or struggling with indigestion more than usual? It could be a sign that you’re low on stomach acid.</p> <p>If your body is low on stomach acid, you won’t digest foods efficiently, especially those heavy in fat and protein. As digestion slows, food sits in the stomach along with the air you naturally swallow when you eat. The longer food stays in the stomach, the more likely you’ll burp.</p> <p><strong>Yellow spots around your eyes</strong></p> <p>Discoloured spots around your eyes and elbows can be a sign that your cholesterol levels are raised. It’s a condition known as xanthelasma, which can be your body’s way of telling you that your diet or exercise routine is amiss.</p> <p>Be sure to consult a doctor if you need to check your cholesterol. A routine blood test will be able to give you the answer, and you can talk to your doctor about what lifestyle changes will help.</p> <p><strong>Itchy feet</strong></p> <p>Summertime often means more visits to the pool or time exercising outdoors. But sweaty trainers and damp feet can also lead to an increase in fungal infections.</p> <p>If you notice your feet are itchy, take a closer look at the skin. If it’s white and flaking off, or simply damp between the toes you may have a fungal infection. Head to the pharmacist for an anti-fungal cream to clear it up, stat.</p> <p><strong>Cracks in the corners of your mouth</strong></p> <p>Small cracks in the skin at the corner of your mouth is often a sign that your body isn’t getting enough B vitamins. If your diet is high in refined and processed foods- think soft drink, pastries and pasta- B vitamins are often the first to take a hit.</p> <p>The answer? Opt for a diet high in whole foods. Try eating more grains, legumes, salmon and red meat, all foods high in B vitamins. If in doubt, always contact a healthcare professional.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="../health/wellbeing/2015/10/how-to-lose-weight-after-60/">How to lose weight after 60</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2015/11/how-to-stay-asleep/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 tips to stay asleep all night</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2015/11/best-outdoor-exercise-options/">The best ways to exercise outdoors</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

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This time it wasn’t heartburn or indigestion, it was a heart attack

<p><em><strong>Colleen Jones, 61, is retired from work, not of life, and is passionate about making jewellery.</strong></em> </p> <p>The dreaded heartburn – or should I say the dreaded monster, at times that is what it's like. I take Pariet to help combat it, seven out of 10 times it works, the other times not. It varies in what foods set it off, toast for one, not all the time, just sometimes; some spicy foods of course, worse thing for heartburn. Wine is also one of the worst to set it off. I used to love hot milo, now just another no-no. Chocolate too! But since taking the pariet, I can have so much of it without it upsetting me.</p> <p>I love my coffee, if I have already got heartburn, coffee can aggravate it more. Then there is that type of heartburn, you know the one where it’s like hot air travelling from your stomach up to your throat? Other times it can be that bad I feel lethargic with it, just rundown and very unwell. I am so used to having heartburn or indigestion, indigestion to me is like a knot or the feeling of swallowing a tablet and it's got stuck halfway up the windpipe. That can just be annoying more than anything and just not go away until after a sleep. </p> <p>This almost stopped me ringing the ambulance when I had my heart attack.</p> <p>My heart attack was just like something was stuck, like a tablet in the middle of my chest, this one being stronger than I had had before. I was ironing my work clothes, before going to work, when this happened. Next thing both my arms were aching and felt heavy like lead, almost stiff with it. I actually stopped ironing and decided to have a bit of a lie down. I felt worse lying down, the tablet feeling in the middle of my chest was going into my back and really strongly.</p> <p>I just sensed this was not normal. I knew I had to wake my son up, luckily he was home. My other half was at work. I woke my son and told him I was in pain and I think I need to go to the hospital. He just looked at me and jumped out of bed. I must have looked a sight! We headed for the phone. Here I was more worried about ringing work than ringing the ambulance. Trying to ring work and doing it in panic mode, makes one say wrong things. I ended up just saying, “Hi I'm in pain and going to the hospital.” Or something like that. I was talking to an answering machine, which made matters worse.</p> <p>Anyway my son rushed me off to call the ambulance. After doing that, I sat down and waited for them. My son who was so calm, put the dogs outside, gave me a drink of water and just kept me calm until the ambulance came.</p> <p>Yes, I was having a heart attack, this time it was not heartburn or indigestion. </p> <p><em><strong>If you have a story you’d like to share email <a href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au">melody@oversixty.com.au</a></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/body/2016/07/natural-remedies-for-acid-reflux/">5 natural remedies for acid reflux</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/body/2016/05/foods-to-eat-to-beat-bloating/">10 foods to eat to beat bloating</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/body/2016/03/signs-you-might-have-a-heart-attack/">6 signs you could be at risk of a heart attack</a></strong></em></span><em><a href="/health/body/2016/05/benefits-of-low-carb-lifestyle/"> </a></em></p>

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