We are all subject to minor health issues. From a slight cough to a runny nose, minor viral infection and occasional muscle pain, all these are a part of life and common sense is all that is needed to recover. However, there are some symptoms of ill-health that should never be ignored – they could be the first indication of a major health concern that, if diagnosed early, could result in a faster cure or recovery. Being a hypochondriac and needlessly worrying about minor ailments is not healthy, but ignoring symptoms of possible major health issues is much worse. That is why what follows are a few of the signs of health problems you should not ignore.
- Migraines are a common problem for millions of people. An attack is often accompanied by visual disturbances like bright flashes of light, which subside as the attack fades away. However, these flashes could also be a sign that the tissue at the back of the eye is pulling away from its position, causing what is known as retinal detachment. This could result in permanent vision loss. However, if diagnosed early, the condition is treatable.
- Feeling full is a sign that you should stop eating. If the feeling starts to come on too soon during the course of a meal or when you have eaten less than usual, and happens with increasing frequency, it should be brought to a doctor’s notice. It could be a sign of several gastric problems, including peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD. In some cases, this could even be the early signs of a more serious health issue such as stomach cancer. If the feeling of fullness is accompanied by nausea/vomiting, weight loss or a feeling of being bloated, getting the condition checked becomes even more urgent.
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- Being overweight or obese is a major modern health issue and all over the world people are looking for quick and easy ways to lose weight. If you find that you are losing weight without making any changes to your diet or lifestyle, it is not a reason to celebrate. It is a sign that your metabolism has been affected. This could be just a passing phase or the result of stress or anxiety. However, it could also be due to several serious medical conditions, including diabetes, depression, liver disease, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), mal-absorption disorders that affect how your body absorbs and uses nutrients, or cancer. Do not ignore unexplained weight loss, especially if 5% or more of your weight has been lost in 6 to 12 months.
- Everyone has the occasional fever. It is a sign of the body fighting an infection so in a way it is a good thing. However, if your temperature does not return to normal in a few days, even with the use of over-the-counter medication or if it crosses 39.4 C (103 F), you should consult a doctor without delay. Proper medication can stop the infection from spreading and return you to normal health. The fever may also be a sign of a serious medical condition such as urinary tract infection, TB or some other diseases that could have serious consequences if left untreated.
- The functioning of the bowels varies from person to person. For one person, one or more bowel movements in a day may be normal while for another, it may be once in 2 or 3 days. A slightly upset stomach can cause a temporary change in bowel movements. But if the change has no obvious cause and continues for a few days, medical intervention is necessary. The cause could be a bacterial or parasitic infection or conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or cancer. Among the signs that should not be ignored are persistent stomach pain, continuing diarrhea or constipation, or black-coloured, bloody or tarry textured stools.
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- Everyone experiences some amount of shortness of breath after vigorous exercise. It can also be caused by being overweight or by high altitude. Shortness of breath could be a sign of bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism). It could also be caused by lung or heart problems. Any unexplained shortness of breath should not be ignored.
- Not being able to focus attention (or slight confusion) could be caused by stress, anxiety, lack of sleep or other such conditions. If the situation persists or if the attacks occur regularly or with increasing frequency, the cause could be the beginning of a mental health condition or a physical problem such as an infection, malnutrition, dehydration or the side-effect of medication. Whatever the cause, early medical intervention can help stop the condition from worsening so that the ability to function effectively is not affected.
There are other signs of health problems that also require medical investigation to rule out serious concerns and need treatment without delay. The best way to protect your health and prevent minor issues from growing into major ones is by taking pre-emptive action. The most effective and proactive way of doing this is by having regular health checkups done. If you go to a reputed multispecialty hospital with a range of health checkup packages designed to suit differing living conditions, lifestyles and health needs, you will stay ahead of the game by knowing your health status and what you need to do to improve and protect it. The peace of mind that this will give you is a bonus that will also play an active role in keeping you healthy. Remember, your health is not just your concern, it is important to all those who are a part of your life, and by protecting your health, you are protecting them too.