Healthy nails show healthy self

Healthy fingernails and toe nails are strong, colourless and smooth. Yellowing, brittleness, ridges, crumbling and white spots are all signs that nails may not be completely healthy.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says nail abnormalities may indicate health issues elsewhere in the body. The agency offers this list of what nail problems could indicate:

• Many types of infection, including bacterial, viral, fungal or yeast.

• Abnormal levels of oxygen in the blood.

• Kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease or psoriasis.

• Malnutrition or a vitamin deficiency.

Drink, drink to beat the heat

It's easy to get dehydrated if you're not careful. A stomach bug, sweating outside in the hot weather, and just not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, a serious condition. Stay well-hydrated with these suggestions from the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Drink plenty of fluids -- especially water -- each day.

• When exercising or sweating, and during hot weather, be sure to drink more water.

• Elderly people, children and people who are sick need to be carefully monitored to prevent dehydration.

• Drink plenty of fluids if you are vomiting, have a fever, or have diarrhoea.

• If you think you may be starting to get dehydrated, contact your doctor at once -- before you start to have symptoms.

• Warning signs of dehydration may include: not producing tears, sunken eyes, little or no urine output for eight hours or more, rapid heartbeat, listlessness, and dry skin, mouth or eyes.

When sex is not okay for pregnant women

While sexual intercourse throughout a healthy pregnancy is usually safe, it may not be recommended for women who are a higher risk for complications.

The Nemours Foundation says sex may not be safe for pregnant women with any of the following risk factors:

• A history or risk of miscarriage.

• Having had a previous birth that was pre-term (earlier than 37 weeks), or having warning signs of pre-term labour.

• Vaginal bleeding, discharge or cramping that cannot be diagnosed.

• Leaking amniotic fluid.

• Conditions such as placenta previa and incompetent cervix.

• Carrying multiple foetuses.

(HealthDay News)