Your body is constantly communicating with you. Sometimes the messages are loud and obvious—but more often, they’re subtle. A random bruise that seems to appear from nowhere, a white coating on your tongue, or fingernails that suddenly look pale or ridged may not seem like a big deal. In many cases, these changes are harmless, but occasionally they can signal that something deserves a closer look.

It’s easy to dismiss small changes as part of getting older or simply the result of a busy lifestyle. Unexplained bruises, for example, are often caused by minor bumps you don’t remember, and bruising can become easier as skin becomes thinner with age. However, frequent or unusually large bruises—particularly when accompanied by unusual bleeding—should be discussed with a healthcare professional. And bruises aren’t the only everyday change worth noticing. Your tongue and even your fingernails can provide other clues that are easy to overlook.