Everyone experiences certain symptoms once in a while with their health. If you are like many people, you probably notice some as well. However, with all the medical conditions out there, it’s important to be wary even if you believe something might be completely innocent. Some symptoms can signify a much deeper health problem that needs medical attention. Your body is trying to tell you something. You should never ignore these 10 signs and symptoms.
Rapid, Sometimes Unexplained Weight Loss
A sudden, unexplained weight loss is not something that should simply be shrugged off. If you have not been dieting or haven’t modified your diet for the purpose of dropping a few pounds, you should pay a visit to your doctor. Quickly losing 10 pounds or more for seemingly no reason should be explored by your doctor. There may be something going on internally or you might even be suffering from mental illness.
High or Persistent Fever
While everyone experiences fevers on occasion when sick or while fighting off certain infections, you shouldn’t ignore a high or persistent fever. A high fever of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher should prompt you to seek medical attention or at least call your doctor. The flu and Covid-19 result in fever being a symptom. You will want to get treatment if you have additional symptoms, especially if you may have Covid-19, such as sore throat, dry cough, headache and body aches.
Sometimes, a persistent fever accompanied by night sweats can indicate the early signs of cancer. Report any and all symptoms you experience to your doctor.
Chest Pain
While chest pain can sometimes be caused by something benign such as a strained pectoral muscle, as a general rule, you shouldn’t ignore this symptom. If your chest pain is intense, it could be a sign of a heart attack, especially when you also have a heaviness in your chest and pain in your left arm. While these are common heart attack symptoms in men, women have slightly different symptoms that may even be subtle. Women can experience chest pain that comes and goes, back pain, pain in either arm, jaw pain, shortness of breath and even nausea and vomiting.
All of these signs should be cause for alarm. If you experience them, you should immediately call 911 for an ambulance. Do not wait.
Sudden Numbness or Weakness
Sudden numbness or weakness of your limbs, especially if it’s localized to one side of your body, can indicate that you’re having a stroke. Sudden numbness of the face, including drooping, difficulty speaking and controlling your facial muscles, are also common signs of a stroke. This shouldn’t be taken lightly. You may also have confusion, dizziness and a sudden, terrible headache. If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them. Instead, immediately call 911 or have someone else call for you.
Unusual Fatigue
Fatigue happens to everyone. However, you can often tell when it’s regular fatigue and something more. If your sleep hasn’t been suffering, but you still feel fatigued, it can signify that something serious is going on with your health that should not be ignored. There are a number of things that can result in this symptom: sleep apnea, depression, cancer, anemia, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disease, kidney disease or Covid-19. Seeing your doctor can help you to get a diagnosis and know for sure what’s going on with your health. You can also get treatment for it and feel better.
Changes to the Skin
The skin is the body’s largest organ. If there are sudden changes to it, you should take notice and talk to your doctor about it. Yellowing of the skin or jaundice might mean you have a liver or gallbladder issue. Any unusual new skin changes, especially moles that are dark or shiny in color or that bleed should be addressed as soon as possible. Some moles or changes to old ones can be a sign of skin cancer. If you have bleeding or an odd lesion or lump, it should be examined.
Seeing a dermatologist about anything unusual with your skin is important. If you don’t have a dermatologist, you can see your primary care doctor and they can refer you to one.
Abdominal Pain
Everyone experiences abdominal pain on occasion. While some of it is normal, there are times when it might warrant attention. Pain that’s persistent and severe can indicate a serious problem such as gallstones, appendicitis, a blockage in your intestines or something even more serious. If you have bowel movements that often result in diarrhea or very dark, black stool or if you see blood when you have a bowel movement, you should see your doctor.
Unusual Headaches
Another condition that everyone experiences on occasion is headache. Usually, these nuisances can go away when you take over-the-counter pain relievers. However, sometimes, they can be something more serious that requires medical attention. If you have headaches that are accompanied by other symptoms such as confusion, a stiff neck, fever, faintness or difficulty walking or speaking, go to the nearest emergency room.
Shortness of Breath
Difficulty breathing can happen if you overexert yourself, but if you are suddenly short of breath for no reason, it warrants medical attention. Shortness of breath can signify asthma, a blood clot in the lung, pneumonia, a collapsed lung, Covid-19, a problem with the heart or even a severe allergic reaction. Don’t ignore this symptom. Seek emergency medical care or see your doctor.
Sadness That Lingers
We all feel sad or depressed from time to time. However, if you experience sadness that lingers, it could be a sign of depression or another mental illness. When it’s particularly bad, you may not want to interact with others or focus on hobbies and other things you enjoy. You should seek medical help immediately, especially if you also have other symptoms such as sleep problems, changes in your eating habits and suicidal thoughts.
Never ignore these 10 symptoms. Getting medical help for them can make all the difference with your health.
