Ways Your Skin Reveals Underlying Health Issues

Acne

Diet, hormone imbalances, stress, periods for women, and the environment are just some of the reasons a patient might suffer from mild to severe adult acne. Pimples along the jawline or chin areas could signify a possible hormone imbalance but are also common for women who did not suffer from acne as a teenager. Stress, periods, and menopause can also trigger acne for most women. Some professional research even implies an improper diet can cause acne, and acne can decrease with a low glycemic index diet, which involves eliminating white flour, sugar, and processed foods. Dairy can also contribute to acne as it is related to an increase in sebum within the skin’s pores, which is the oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands, that prevents the skin from drying out.

Excessive Hair Growth

For women, unusual hair sprouting in different areas of the body, such as on the chin or below the belly button, can indict a hormone imbalance, which can be the result of the overproduction of androgens, the hormones made by the gonads and adrenal glands. Although genetics and hormones play a role in the length and thickness of hair, unwanted hair that appears abnormal could be a sign of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Other symptoms of PCOS are irregular or missing menstrual cycles and the inability to lose weight despite a healthy diet and workout regime. Consulting a doctor is the first step a patient can take to rule out PCOS or a hormone imbalance, which can be maintained with the right medication.