Can’t stop moving your legs at night? Harvard-trained gut doctor shares 10 unusual body signs that may signal health issues

Subtle physical changes can sometimes offer useful clues about what is happening inside the body. While a single symptom does not necessarily point to a serious condition, persistent or unusual changes deserve attention, especially when they involve digestion, nutrient deficiencies, or metabolism. Harvard-trained gut doctor Dr Saurabh Sethi has shared a list of 10 unusual body signs he would not casually brush off on Instagram. Several of these signs can overlap with common deficiencies or digestive disorders, while others may require prompt medical evaluation.

Constant ice cravings

A persistent urge to chew ice, known as pagophagia, can be linked to iron deficiency and may appear even before obvious anaemia symptoms. A complete blood count and ferritin test can help assess iron status.

Spoon-shaped nails

Nails that become thin and curve inward, called koilonychia, can occur with iron deficiency. Instead of starting supplements without testing, the underlying cause of low iron should be investigated.

Restless legs at night

An uncomfortable urge to move the legs that becomes worse at night can be associated with low iron stores. Current sleep-medicine guidance recommends checking iron studies, including ferritin and transferrin saturation, in clinically significant cases.

Dark, velvety skin

Dark, thickened and velvety patches around the neck or armpits may indicate acanthosis nigricans, which can be associated with insulin resistance and abnormal blood sugar regulation.

Persistent tingling

Repeated pins-and-needles or numbness in the hands and feet can have several causes. Vitamin B12 deficiency is one possibility and should be considered alongside other neurological or metabolic causes.

Sore, red tongue

A persistently painful or unusually red tongue can occur with iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. If the symptom continues, medical evaluation can help identify the underlying nutritional or other cause.

Greasy, foul-smelling stools

Loose, oily or difficult-to-flush stools may indicate problems digesting or absorbing fat. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is one possible cause and can also cause bloating, diarrhoea and weight loss.

Food getting stuck

Repeatedly feeling as though food is sticking while swallowing should not simply be managed by drinking more water. Persistent swallowing difficulty warrants medical assessment, while an inability to swallow saliva requires emergency care.

Yellowing eyes

Yellowing of the whites of the eyes can be a sign of jaundice. When accompanied by dark urine or pale stools, it can indicate an underlying liver, bile-duct or other medical problem requiring urgent assessment.

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A post shared by Saurabh Sethi MD MPH | Gastroenterologist (@doctor.sethi)

Black, tarry stools

Black, tar-like stools can indicate bleeding in the digestive tract, although iron supplements and some medicines can also darken stools. Tarry stools, particularly with dizziness or fainting, require urgent medical attention.