Looking at your nails, have you noticed changes? Interestingly, your fingernails and toenails can make a statement about your overall health as a senior.

Throughout life, changes in the way your nails look or feel can signify if there's an underlying health problem going on or if you're relatively healthy. Here are a few examples of what to look for.

Changes to Your Nails

Several changes to the nails could be a sign of vitamin or nutrient deficiencies, circulation issues or other problems.

Yellow Nails

Yellow nails are most often caused by fungal infections, which can be damaging to the nails and nail beds. If your nails are yellow, they might be frail or crumble. The nail bed may also retract, leading to pain or discomfort. An antifungal medication could help.

Yellow nails should be checked by a medical professional because they can also be a sign of diabetes, psoriasis, thyroid disease or lung disease.

Separating (Split) Nails

If your nails begin to split and separate, one of the most common causes is thyroid disease. Splitting and cracking with a yellow tint could be a fungal infection. See your doctor and get your blood work done if you notice these issues.

Puffy Nail Beds

If the area around your cuticle looks swollen and puffy, it could signify paronychia. This is an inflammatory condition caused by allergens, fungus, infections or psoriasis. You may need to see an allergist or an infectious disease specialist, but you can start by talking to your primary care physician.

Dark Lines Under the Nails

If you've noticed lines under the nails that have darkened, talk to your doctor about the issue. Dark lines are sometimes a sign of injury or infection, but they could also be a sign of skin cancer.

Blue-Tinted Nails

Have you noticed that your finger or toenails look blue? If you've been feeling out of breath in combination with these blue nails, head to your doctor. They could be a sign of emphysema or lung problems. In some cases, blue nails can be a sign of issues with your heart.

White Nail Beds

Feeling fatigued? Check your nails to see if they look pale or white. You can also check for raised and concave ridges.

If you find those issues, you could be dealing with a problem like anemia, which is usually from a lack of iron that leads to a low red blood cell count. Taking some supplements or treating the underlying cause could help you improve the look of your nails and feel more energetic.

Red Nail Beds

Short of shutting your hands in a door or injuring them in another way, your nails shouldn't look dark or red. If you do notice that your nails are turning red, it's a sign to get to your doctor's office as soon as you can.

Heart disease has the potential to turn the nail beds red. Red lines can also be caused by lupus and connective tissue diseases. Any red nails need to be checked out right away.

Check Your Lunulae for Warning Signs

On most people's nails, there's a small, lighter moon shape near the cuticle. This is called a lunula.

The lunulae may change with your health and can give you warnings about health issues. There are five things your lunula could tell you that indicate you should make an appointment with your doctor.

1. Shorter lunulae could indicate you have a vitamin deficiency. If you're missing your lunulae or they're very slight, get your vitamin levels checked and speak with your medical provider.
2. With larger lunulae, you could have cardiovascular issues. Normally, the lunulae only take up around a third of the nail, but if they're growing larger, you could have low blood pressure or a problem with your heart.
3. If you have purple lunulae, you could have a problem with your circulation. Lunulae are white when fully oxygenated.
4. For black lunulae, look into getting testing done immediately. Heavy metal poisoning is a common cause of black lunulae.
5. If you see gray lunulae, think about what you did today. Are you fatigued? Gray lunulae could be a sign of exhaustion. They can also be a sign that something is wrong with your digestive tract or that you're dealing with malabsorption. Any of these issues is a sign that warrants a trip to the doctor's office.

Your nails can tell you more than you might have thought. If you notice changes, it's a good idea to reach out to your doctor's office to ask if you need to be seen. If you're living in our assisted living facility at ViewPointe Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, we can help you with transportation if you need to see your provider.

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