Here’s a breakdown of some common symptoms to watch out for:

1. A Crawling Sensation in Your Legs

This uncomfortable feeling is a classic sign of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).

RLS causes an overwhelming urge to move your legs, especially in the evenings or at night while resting.

Movement can temporarily relieve the discomfort.

The condition can start at any age and often worsens as you get older, potentially disrupting sleep and daily activities.

It’s also referred to as Willis-Ekbom disease. While there’s no cure, simple self-care and lifestyle changes, along with medication, can help manage the symptoms.

2. Skin Thickening

If you notice your skin getting thicker, it could be due to hormonal imbalances, eczema, or allergies.

It’s important to consult a doctor to get a proper diagnosis. Itchy skin, or pruritus, often accompanies this and can be aggravating.

It might lead to inflamed, rough skin or bumps from constant scratching.

For relief, moisturizers, gentle cleansing, and lukewarm baths can help, but identifying and treating the underlying cause is essential for long-term improvement.

3. Changes in Handwriting and Loss of Smell

These symptoms could be early signs of Parkinson’s disease, a progressive disorder that affects movement.

The disease starts slowly, sometimes with a barely noticeable tremor in one hand. Symptoms can include stiffness, slowed movement, and a lack of facial expression.

Your arms might not swing when you walk, and your speech could become soft or slurred.

Although there’s no cure for Parkinson’s, medications or sometimes surgery can significantly enhance quality of life.

4. Aggressive Behavior

Surprisingly, aggressive behavior can be linked to depression.

It’s not always marked by sadness; some people may experience irritability or anger.

Researchers are still figuring out why depression affects people differently, acknowledging that anger is more prevalent in some than others.

5. Excessive Sleeping

Known as hypersomnia, this condition involves sleeping too much, yet still feeling extremely tired during the day.

It can be so intense that it interferes with daily activities, including driving or working.

The cause of hypersomnia is still unknown, and it often requires ruling out other sleep disorders for a diagnosis.

Treatment typically involves medication aimed at managing the symptoms.

6. Changes in Eye Color

For individuals under 45, noticing a white or grey ring around the cornea might indicate high cholesterol.

This ring, known as arcus senilis, is usually harmless.

However, in younger adults, it could signal underlying health issues like high cholesterol, as noted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

7. Constant Craving for Salty Foods

If you find yourself constantly craving salty foods, it might be a sign of iron deficiency, anemia, dehydration, or premenstrual syndrome.

While salt is crucial for various bodily functions, too much or too little can be harmful.

Persistent cravings, especially for salt, should not be ignored as they could be symptomatic of a health issue that needs medical attention.

8. Fatigue and Low Libido

These symptoms often occur together and may indicate a problem with thyroid hormones, commonly underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

The symptoms of this condition develop slowly and can be mistaken for other health issues, making it easy to overlook for years.

9. Constant Thirst

If you’re always feeling thirsty, it could be linked to your diet, particularly high salt intake, but it might also be a sign of diabetes or pregnancy.

Constant, unexplained thirst is not typical and should be checked out by a healthcare provider.

Known as polydipsia, this could indicate a deeper issue like diabetes.

10. Desire to Chew Ice

Feeling the need to chew ice could indicate an iron deficiency or anemia.

If you find yourself wanting to chew ice frequently, it’s advisable to undergo a blood test to check for these conditions.

This craving, known in medical terms as pagophagia, might seem benign but could be a symptom of pica, particularly if it persists for more than a month.

By staying alert to these signs, you can take timely action and consult with healthcare professionals to address potential health issues effectively.