Wellness Center

10 Symptoms Not to Ignore

Regular medical exams are a good idea. But sometimes a symptom appears just after or long before a scheduled exam. Some symptoms require immediate attention. And it shouldn't make much difference whether you're 12, 47, or 85. When the following physical conditions appear as described, call your doctor.

1. Fatigue that lasts more than a week and has no obvious explanation should be considered a serious symptom. If you have been working extra hours or recovering from the flu, that might explain it. But if you are feeling really worn out and don't know why, it could be an indication of a medical problem. Go ahead and set up an appointment. And don't hesitate to tell your doctor exactly what you're feeling.


2. Cough – Everybody coughs now and then. If your cough lasts a week or more, especially if you are a smoker, that's a red flag. If you're coughing up thick phlegm and especially if it has blood in it, you should be concerned. If it is accompanied by shortness of breath and weight loss, don't waste time. See your doctor now. That kind of cough can be an indication of a lung disease – including cancer.


3. Pain – Nobody gets through a day without a little pain. But if you have persistent and severe pain in a specific area lasting three days or more, and without an obvious explanation, check it out. The pain might awaken you from sleep, or come on for no apparent reason. If you bump your shin, strain a muscle digging, or hit your head on an open cupboard door you have pain, but it should go away. If the pain doesn't go away in a reasonable time, then it's time to call your doctor. 


4. Chest pains are often ignored. This can be fatal. Chest pains from exertion or pain that feels like a squeezing or heavy weight on your chest could indicate a heart attack. If the pain extends into your left shoulder or into your jaw, get emergency care now. Right now. Waiting for the pain to go away can make treatment less effective. Save your life. Get help immediately.


5. Blood in the rectum, stool, urine, or coughed up in phlegm is a signal. The blood may or may not indicate a tumor or other serious condition, but you won't know unless you have it checked out. As you get older, it becomes more important to check out these indications of internal bleeding. If you have pain when having a bowel movement, or notice blood in your stool (take a look, especially if you feel pain), check it out. Your doctor can test for colorectal cancer. Whatever the source of the blood, finding out can help catch potential serious conditions and if there is no serious disease, it gives you some peace of mind.


6. A new lump or bump – not necessarily painful or bleeding, but newly observable – could be an indication of cancer. Lumps and bumps that occur rapidly, become sore, and go away in a week or two are not usually a concern. If a lump doesn't disappear and continues to grow, a professional evaluation – medical evaluation or biopsy – can catch cancer early or give you a clean bill of health.


7. Moles, especially if they are growing or abnormally shaped, can indicate melanoma – a potentially fatal skin cancer. If you have a mole that is fast growing, itches, or bleeds, you need to have a biopsy to find out if it is a medical concern. Moles are relatively easy to remove.


8. Weight loss – the goal of many people – is not always healthy. If you are losing weight even though you're not trying to (such as by increased activity or restricting calories), it could be an indication of disease or illness. Unintentional rapid weight loss – more than two or three pounds a week – can suggest a thyroid problem, or another problem that could be medically determined.


9. Headaches are common and more or less normal – to an extent. But if you start having frequent, painful headaches that are long lasting, that is definitely not normal. If a headache starts in the morning and increases when you cough or sneeze, it could indicate a serious condition. Call your doctor.


10. Stroke signs – Weakness in an arm or leg, numbness or tingling in an arm, leg, or your face, or difficulty with speech can indicate the onset of a stroke. A stroke causes the death of brain cells due to an interrupted blood supply and can result in permanent brain damage and physical restrictions. This is an emergency situation. Get help immediately! The sooner treatment is started, the better the prognosis for recovery.

The Bottom Line

Better safe than sorry. Even though a specific symptom might not be life threatening, you can't be sure until you have it checked out by a doctor. Going to the doctor and being told your symptoms are not serious won't kill you. Waiting too long to get help for life-threatening symptoms could.

Source:

1. Creagan ET. How Not to Be My Patient. Health Communications, Inc. Deerfield Beach, Florida.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis of specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt professional medical attention if you have a particular concern about your health or specific symptoms. Wellsource, Inc. is not liable for any health consequences resulting from your use of this site.