The body has a number of reliable diagnostic indicators that let you know when something is wrong - headaches, chest pains, stomach problems, but another diagnostic indicator is right in front of you: your hands.

The way they look and feel can tell you about medical problems that need to be addressed, Eat This, Not That reported.

If one or both of your hands are shaking, it's called tremor - involuntary muscle contraction. It can be a sign of a neurological disorder, such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis. Other less serious causes are caffeine use, stress, lack of sleep, or an overactive thyroid gland. Certain medications or alcohol abstinence can also cause tremors.

If you notice that the skin under a few fingernails has a bluish hue, this may indicate a serious condition called cyanosis. This means that there is not enough oxygen in your blood. It may be caused by a serious heart or lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure or pulmonary embolism.

If the skin on your hands is yellow, it may be a sign of jaundice - a disease of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts or pancreas. Jaundice occurs when a substance called bilirubin builds up in the blood. When the liver is damaged, it becomes overloaded and bilirubin accumulates under the skin, causing jaundice.

If your joints are red, swollen, or brittle, it may be a sign of arthritis - inflammation and swelling of the joints. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

If the hand is generally swollen, it may be a sign that the body is retaining more fluid than it should. This can be caused by pregnancy, a diet containing too much sodium, and in some cases it may indicate thyroid, kidney, or liver problems.