As stated on WebMD, there is an abundance of illnesses in existence; some can be cured while others are chronic and incurable. Early detection is crucial for certain diseases, whereas for others, managing symptoms is necessary to prevent them from worsening. Regardless of the severity or curability, every illness remains a mystery.

Unfortunately, many individuals refrain from seeking medical assistance until their symptoms have worsened due to financial constraints. I, like many others, am guilty of neglecting warning signs of various illnesses until it is too late. Moreover, certain illnesses may not manifest symptoms until they have progressed.

Consequently, it is imperative to be aware of five (5) warning signs that could indicate that you are not as healthy as you believe.

1. NAIL DISCOLORATION: WebMD suggests that health issues can be detected in the fingernails or toenails. People have various preferences in clothing and nail polish colors. However, a change in the color of your nails, whether they are light or dark, could indicate an illness.

2. FOUL BREATH: Although odors should not travel in exhaled air, a person’s breath can emit a significant stench after consuming intensely aromatic foods such as onions or garlic. However, having persistent foul breath may be a sign of a more serious health problem.

3. YELLOWING OF THE EYES: The human eye’s color receptors are physically separate from one another, and the white part of the eye will always exist, regardless of the color of the rest of the eyeball. If the whites of your eyes change color, it could signify a malfunctioning liver or pancreas.

4. UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS: Losing weight without making lifestyle changes or without intending to do so can be a warning sign of underlying health problems such as diabetes or cancer.