The Naked Truth

Our body’s bumps, bruises and bulges can tell us a lot about our health. So be brave and bare all in front of the mirror today

- Karen Evennett & Tamlyn Cumings

As we get older, the notion of seeing ourselves – and ALL of ourselves – in the mirror becomes a lot more daunting. But it’s actually incredibly important to be familiar with all of those little lumps and bumps on your body, as they may be telling you something. Here are a few things the experts want you to watch out for…

BULGING VEINS

‘A vein that’s standing out in your neck is a sign of excess fluid in your circulation,’ says Maureen Talbot, a nurse specialising in cardiac care. ‘This is caused by an increase in pressure in your heart’s right atrial chamber and may be due to your heart not being able to pump efficiently, so talk to your doctor to establish the cause.’ A bulging vein on the outer side of your breast or under the nipple, however, could be a sign of a rare inflammatory condition called Mondor’s disease. Although it will often clear up on its own (and, if not, with the help of anti-inflammatory drugs), it can be a sign of an undiagnosed tumour in the breast.

LUMPY KNEES

A fleshy lump in your knee could be a heads up for gout. ‘It’s a type of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in your blood,’ says Dr Benjamin Ellis. The uric acid can cause crystals to form around your joints, and these can build up to form lumps – known as tophi – which are often visible around your knees. ‘Contrary to myths, gout doesn’t only affect the big toe – and it’s not just caused by rich living,’ says Dr Ellis. ‘But it is completely treatable, and just losing weight could help reduce your uric acid levels.’ Note: your risk of gout goes up after you’ve hit menopause.