Visual Diagnosis: How to Detect Midlife Health Crises Through Hair, Facial, and Ear Features

Dry, dull, and brittle hair indicates iron and B vitamin deficiency. Rapidly graying hair, accompanied by irritability, flushed face, and bitter taste in the mouth, suggests liver stagnation and heat. Hair loss on the top of the head may be caused by colitis or cholecystitis. Hair loss accompanied by generalized thinning of hair often indicates endocrine disorders. Thinning hair in obese individuals increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. Abnormal hair loss suggests a possible zinc deficiency. Dry, brittle hair suggests potential lung problems; brittle, easily broken hair suggests potential thyroid issues. Grayish cheeks indicate oxygen deficiency and poor lung function; increased walking, jogging, and consumption of green vegetables, protein, minerals, and fiber are recommended. An excessively pale complexion indicates a deficiency in folic acid, iron, and vitamin B12. Swelling of the cheeks with visible capillaries is related to skin hypoxia. Acne on the cheeks indicates a need for dietary moderation; avoid overeating and consume more detoxifying foods. Acne on the forehead is caused by excessive toxins in the liver. It is necessary to reduce the consumption of foods with high sugar content and avoid excessive alcohol intake. Increased forehead wrinkles indicate that the liver is overburdened. Alcohol should be avoided, animal fats should be reduced, and more water should be consumed daily. Small pimples near the temples indicate that the diet contains too many processed foods, causing gallbladder obstruction. If pimples appear on the jaw before or after menstruation, the skin changes in this area are directly related to the ovaries. If pus is discharged from the ear and the auricle is dry and black, it is a sign of kidney essence failure and a critical condition. The earlobe is very sensitive to ischemia. When arteriosclerosis affects the blood supply to the earlobe, the earlobe is more likely to contract than other parts, resulting in ear creases. In addition to ear diseases, tinnitus often indicates other diseases in the body: (1) Kidney dysfunction: The ears are buzzing and the sound is not clear. This is a sign of gradual kidney dysfunction, sometimes accompanied by symptoms such as foot pain and frequent urination. It is important to maintain a balance between work and rest, drink less alcohol, and eat less spicy foods such as ginger and chili. (2) Neck disorders: Neck swelling and pain or other neck diseases can cause unilateral tinnitus. This type of tinnitus is characterized by its persistence, low pitch, and the degree of tinnitus can change with changes in body position. (3) Noise damage: Short-term loud noise or long-term repeated noise can lead to hearing loss accompanied by tinnitus and dizziness. In severe cases, auditory hallucinations and neurasthenia may also occur. (4) Drug poisoning: The use of high doses of drugs such as quinine, quinidine, and fluquine can cause severe tinnitus, but it will improve after the drug is stopped. Commonly used antibiotics, such as gentamicin, streptomycin, and kanamycin, have toxic effects on the auditory nerve and vestibular nerve. Tinnitus may occur in the early stage. This type of tinnitus is often high-pitched and bilateral. If the drug is not stopped in time, it can quickly develop into deafness. (5) Neurasthenia: People with neurasthenia often experience tinnitus. This tinnitus has varying pitches, is mostly bilateral, and is accompanied by symptoms such as headache, dizziness, insomnia, and excessive dreaming. (6) Other diseases: People with kidney deficiency, kidney or liver diseases, diabetes, tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, etc., may also experience tinnitus when these diseases cause systemic dysfunction. Tinnitus can also be an important indicator of cardiovascular disease.