The Medical Complexion of Beauty

What do the external signs and the appearance of our bodies tell us? How does the old saying ‘you are what you eat’ have anything to do with what we look like? Well, believe it or not, when physicians look at you while listening to or examining you during an office visit, we are really paying more attention than you think. We are not just staring into your eyes because we admire that wonderful shade of brown, or gazing at your hands because we want a loving handshake, or commenting on your new haircut because we follow the latest trends and fashions. We are really wondering if your eyes may show us signs of early-onset diabetes or if your hands may indicate signs of more obvious infections, but more importantly, nutritional deficiencies and possibly chronic diseases of the endocrine system or hepatic (liver) system.

Most of us are aware of the many signs like rashes and blemishes the skin may offer in diagnosing such conditions as skin cancers or acne for example, but it is also important to evaluate the skin for many other reasons. The elasticity of the skin or ‘turgor’ offers information about our state of hydration and whether or not someone has enough oils in their diet including omega three and six oils from fish or flax for example. Even the skin may present with odors that give us clues about many conditions including intestinal obstruction, scurvy, a vitamin C deficient disease, and even schizophrenia, so the odor and amount of sweat is important to know, too.

One of the skin’s appendages, the hair, and its presence of, lack of, change in color, change in amount or change in pattern, can be diagnostic. Hair loss may be a sign of a thyroid condition or a sex steroid hormone imbalance of either a deficiency or excess of crucial hormones being produced by the thyroid or the ovaries or testes. Inspection of the feet and toes for hair loss may indicate poor circulation or nutritional deficit which may be arising from vein insufficiency or diabetes. Hair growth in unusual places, termed hirsutism, especially for women, along the jaw line, the nipples or chest, or arising up to the umbilicus from the pubic region may indicate an excess of male-pattern androgen hormones and an underlying endocrine disorder.

It is also valuable to pay attention to the appearance of the finger and toenails for color, length, configuration, symmetry and cleanliness. There are, of course, physical clues to pathophysiologic problems in the nails, just as in the hair, such as ridges and pits that may indicate lack of zinc, biotin and even B vitamins from the diet. The condition of the hair and nails also gives a clue about the person’s level of self-care and some sense of emotional order and social integration. For example, the condition of the fingernails can provide insight to the patient’s sense of self. Are they bitten down to the quick? Are they clean? Are they kept smooth and neat, or do they look unkempt?

The moral of this story is that doctors are really not trying to ‘do’ anything to you when performing exams or tests; we are merely attempting to ‘learn’ some things about you that will help us help you on your journey to health and well being. Eat well, get regular aerobic exercise and drink plenty of clean, pure water to make sure your skin, hair and nails stay healthy and be sure the next time you visit your doctor, you tell them about any changes you may have noticed. We love you just the way you are, but we would love to see you better!

This article was written by Dr. Ave Sims ND, as a patient education resource for The Center For True Harmony Wellness and Medicine. Edited and revised by Sherry VanGoethem, Dr.Christine Brass-Jones OBGYN, and Dr. Denise Quance Grobe N.D. If you have any questions or comments contact the office at (480) 539-6646 or through email at info@trueharmonywellness.com